Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007

MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICE NEGOTIATION ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - January 12, 2007)

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Mrs. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4, the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007.

Although the bill before us today does not go as far as it needs to go, it is an incremental step towards a long-overdue solution, a solution that continues to be blocked by moneyed pharmaceutical interests that are more interested in the profits their medications can bring than in the good their medications can do. The American people deserve better, and that is why I continue to say that if we are to achieve real reform in this institution, we need to start with campaign finance reform.

In my view, Medicare represents a covenant between the U.S. government and its citizens. During my tenure in the House of Representatives, I have always supported Medicare and Social Security as important lifelines for seniors in our country.

As part of these efforts, I have advocated fair, affordable, easy-to-use prescription drug coverage for seniors under Medicare. Unfortunately, the Medicare Modernization Act falls far short of these goals. Ever since its inception, the MMA has been a nightmare both for legislators and, more importantly, for the seniors who must try to navigate it.

Under this law, the government is prohibited from using its buying power to negotiate lower prices for America's 30 million seniors. I object strongly to this provision because I believe firmly that something must be done to bring down the cost of prescription drugs in America.

In fact, when the MMA was first being developed and passed through the House, I attempted to offer an amendment that would have allowed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices under the auspices of the Medicare program.

Unfortunately, after being kept waiting until the wee hours of the morning, while the Rules Committee met far from the watchful eye of the American public and even most Members of Congress, I was not allowed even to offer my amendment for consideration.

Therefore, I am glad that today we are debating a bill that will accomplish my goal, and under a system that has already worked to save our veterans money under the VA's healthcare system. H.R. 4 will begin to save money for beneficiaries both through lower drug costs at the pharmacy counter and lower plan premiums.

Lower prices will also slow entry into the donut hole, when beneficiaries must pay the full price of their medicines. And since taxpayers fund more than three-quarters of the cost of the drug benefit, we will be saving them money, too.

This bill does not, however, prevent the prescription drug plans from getting deeper discounts. And the bill does not allow the HHS Secretary to establish a national formulary or otherwise restrict access to medicines.

Mr. Speaker, our nation's seniors, members of the ``greatest generation,' deserve better than having to choose between buying food or buying life-sustaining and often, life-saving medications.

I am pleased today to support this legislation which represents a first step in eliminating that cruel choice and helping to ensure that seniors can live their lives in good health and with dignity.

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