SCHAKOWSKY WARNS SENIORS & PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ABOUT GOP/PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILL

NOVEMBER 17, 2003

SCHAKOWSKY WARNS SENIORS
& PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ABOUT GOP/PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILL

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today said seniors and persons with disability want a comprehensive, voluntary and affordable prescription drug plan under Medicare, NOT the Republican prescription drug bill that:

• Undermines the future of Medicare.

• Prohibits Medicare from negotiating better prices.

• Blocks reimportation of American manufactured pharmaceuticals from other countries at lower costs.

• Causes 2-3 million retirees to be lose their superior employer based coverage

• Coerces millions of seniors into HMOs by forcing those who wish to keep their doctor and stay in Medicare to pay more.

• Forces up to 6 million low-income seniors and persons with disabilities who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid to pay more for their prescription drugs.

• Contains a $2800 gap in coverage that will leave half of seniors without drug coverage for part of the year.

Schakowsky was not surprised that the Bush Administration would support a bill that will increase drug industry profits by $139 billion and pour billions into for-profit Medicare HMOs, rewarding Republican campaign contributors at the expense of Medicare beneficiaries.