November 18, 2003
“The Republican Medicare bill is nothing but a cruel joke on seniors and disabled people. This bill will only raise false hopes that real help is on the way from the drug prices that are crushing our seniors.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth. This bill not only offers a weak benefit with major gaps in coverage, it actually prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from negotiating lower drug prices on behalf of America’s 40 million Medicare beneficiaries.”
“Make no mistake: the drug companies will make out like bandits under this bill at the expense of taxpayers and at the expense of Medicare beneficiaries who deserve much more than this bogus Republican benefit. This bill is a sham and a shame. Let’s be clear: this bill does not do one thing to address the outlandish and skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs.”
“Much has been said about the Washington leaders of AARP supporting the bill, but it is important to note that over 125 senior advocacy groups, including the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and the Alliance for Retired Americans, as well as Bay area groups such as Center for Independent Living and Project Reform, are opposed to the bill.”
“We stand here today like we have for years: as Democrats who stand for a meaningful prescription drug benefit that is affordable, comprehensive, and guaranteed. We stand here today, unfortunately, with a Republican bill that is not affordable, not comprehensive, and not guaranteed.”
“We call on our colleagues to join us in opposing this sad attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of our nation’s Medicare beneficiaries, and we call on the President and Republicans to not only provide a meaningful benefit, but to get at the other pressing issues facing our health care system today: the cost of drugs, the lack of access to any health care at all, and the horrific disparities in access to and quality of care.”
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Rails Against Republican Medicare Plan
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today issued a statement against the Republican Medicare bill, which privatizes Medicare and lines the pockets of the pharmaceutical and private insurance companies:“The Republican Medicare bill is nothing but a cruel joke on seniors and disabled people. This bill will only raise false hopes that real help is on the way from the drug prices that are crushing our seniors.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth. This bill not only offers a weak benefit with major gaps in coverage, it actually prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from negotiating lower drug prices on behalf of America’s 40 million Medicare beneficiaries.”
“Make no mistake: the drug companies will make out like bandits under this bill at the expense of taxpayers and at the expense of Medicare beneficiaries who deserve much more than this bogus Republican benefit. This bill is a sham and a shame. Let’s be clear: this bill does not do one thing to address the outlandish and skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs.”
“Much has been said about the Washington leaders of AARP supporting the bill, but it is important to note that over 125 senior advocacy groups, including the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and the Alliance for Retired Americans, as well as Bay area groups such as Center for Independent Living and Project Reform, are opposed to the bill.”
“We stand here today like we have for years: as Democrats who stand for a meaningful prescription drug benefit that is affordable, comprehensive, and guaranteed. We stand here today, unfortunately, with a Republican bill that is not affordable, not comprehensive, and not guaranteed.”
“We call on our colleagues to join us in opposing this sad attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of our nation’s Medicare beneficiaries, and we call on the President and Republicans to not only provide a meaningful benefit, but to get at the other pressing issues facing our health care system today: the cost of drugs, the lack of access to any health care at all, and the horrific disparities in access to and quality of care.”
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