Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of millions of seniors across our nation who are forced to choose between buying their food, paying their rent, or purchasing their medicine. For too many seniors, this is truly a life or death situation that none of them should have to face.
Unfortunately, this Congress is just weeks away from adjourning for the session and we are still no closer to enacting a Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Over two months ago, we had an opportunity to debate and vote on a bill that would provide a meaningful prescription drug benefit under the Medicare program. The "Medicare Rx Drug Benefit and Discount Act (H.R. 5019) would add a new "Part D'' to the Medicare program with voluntary prescription drug coverage for any senior that chooses to enroll. Participating seniors would pay a set $25 per month premium and a $100 a year deductible. In return, Medicare would cover 80% of all drug costs up to $2,000 a year. Once a senior reached the $2,000 out-of-pocket limit, Medicare would then pay for all drug costs beyond that point.
The House leadership refused to allow this bill on the floor. Instead, in the dead of night, while our nation's seniors were fast asleep, a majority in the House passed a bill that might as well have been written by the pharmaceutical industry. No substitute was allowed and no amendments could be offered. There was nothing even remotely bipartisan about that evening.
The bill that passed at 2:30 a.m. on June 28 does not establish a prescription drug plan under Medicare. Instead, it relies on private insurers who are free to design their own plans, charge their own prices, decide which drugs to cover, and tell our seniors what pharmacies they may use. It does nothing to bring down rising drug costs nor does it address the issue of reimportation. Most importantly, the House leadership knows this bill has no chance of passing the Senate. It was a political gesture, not a policy priority.
Where does this leave our nations seniors? They are still being forced to choose between food, shelter, and their medicine. They are still paying exorbitant prices for the same medications that are available in Canada and overseas for a fraction of the cost. They are still waiting for this House to act in a responsible manner.
My House colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we still have time--it is not too late. Let's work together in a bipartisan manner to meet our parties' respective promises to the American people and provide meaningful prescription drug benefits. Together we can bring hope and relief to our nation's seniors and pass a real Medicare prescription drug plan before this Congress adjourns.