Democrats
offer prescription for change to confusing Republican Drug Plan
Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader
Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats held a news conference today
at the Capitol to present the Democratic Prescription for Change,
which offers key improvements to the Republican prescription drug
program to ensure that seniors and people with disabilities can
receive the simple, affordable, and reliable benefit they have
earned after a lifetime of hard work. Below are Pelosi’s remarks:
“Good
morning. I am pleased to be here with Andre Lewis, who will
tell his story about what it is like to fall into the
Medicare prescription drug benefit’s donut hole. Andre’s
situation is shared by many across the country. I’m honored
that Andre has joined Democrats this morning as we present a
Democratic Prescription for Change.
“Democrats stand
united to provide commonsense improvements to the flawed Bush
prescription drug bill. We will put seniors and people with
disabilities first by bringing affordability, simplicity, and
reliability to the benefit.
“The Democratic
Prescription for Change will make prescription drugs more affordable
by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices and using those
savings to close the donut hole; provide seniors with the simple and
reliable option of a plan administered by Medicare; and ensure
reliable and uninterrupted access to prescription drugs by stopping
drug plans from increasing co-payments and creating burdensome
bureaucracy.
“Democrats intend
to enact our Prescription for Change in a fiscally responsible way –
improving the benefit without burdening future generations with
endless debt.
“Democrats have
proposed a New Direction for America – new priorities that will
build a stronger country for all Americans. Central to our New
Direction is expanding access to quality health care for Americans.
We will begin by making prescription drugs more affordable for our
seniors. We will also ensure a dignified retirement and protect the
guaranteed benefit of Social Security from any attempts at
privatization. As you know, the Republicans have said that the
first order of business for them in January if re-elected would be
to go back to Social Security. Democrats will preserve Social
Security – this is our pledge.
“America’s seniors
made a down payment on a dignified retirement with a lifetime of
hard work. Democrats want to give them the simple, affordable, and
reliable prescription drug benefit they deserve.