I have long been concerned about the plight of New Hampshire seniors struggling with the high cost of prescription drugs. Legislation to help lower the cost of prescription drugs for older citizens and add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare recently passed the House with my strong support. I worked as a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to help draft the Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act to strengthen Medicare and provide all senior citizens with access to a voluntary, affordable prescription drug benefit.

In recent years, scientists have developed amazing new drugs to help us live longer lives and to improve the quality of life for many senior citizens. Nevertheless, the high cost of these drugs often makes it difficult for senior citizens to afford them. Since its inception in 1965, Medicare has helped millions of senior citizens with basic medical services. The House-passed bill would modernize Medicare by adding a prescription drug benefit to help those who cannot afford the medicine they need and preserve the program for future generations.

The House Medicare prescription drug bill would guarantee seniors a prescription drug benefit, including catastrophic drug coverage, while preserving choice and flexibility. Under the bill, the average senior would save an estimated 60% of what they are currently paying for prescription drugs. Moreover, all seniors, regardless of whether they participate in the plan, would save an estimated 30% on the cost of prescriptions.

Under the plan, seniors would pay a monthly premium of $33 - or roughly a dollar a day - while Medicare would pay 80% of drug costs between $250 and $1,000, 50% of the costs between $1,000 and $2,000, and all senior costs above $3,700. Low-income seniors would get the most help. Nearly all drug costs would be covered for those under 150% of poverty, with the exception of a nominal co-pay.

Many retired Americans already enjoy a prescription drug benefit. Seniors satisfied with their current coverage would be allowed to continue to receive that benefit and employers would receive federal assistance to encourage them to maintain their current retiree coverage. The thirteen million seniors who don’t have a prescription drug benefit and seniors who are less than satisfied with their current prescription drug coverage would be guaranteed at least two drug plans from which to choose. This would provide seniors with the ability to choose the plan that best meets their needs and help lower costs.

Unlike alternative plans, the House Medicare prescription drug bill is affordable for seniors and for taxpayers. The bill subsidizes more low-income seniors and gives seniors more plans from which to choose. Under alternative plans, the prescription drug benefit would terminate after five or ten years. The House passed benefit would be an entitlement in Medicare and permanently authorized. Moreover, the House bill provides a prescription drug benefit for seniors without short changing other Medicare priorities, busting the budget, and jeopardizing Medicare for future generations.

Health security is a cornerstone to a secure retirement. The high cost of medicine has threatened the retirement security of many senior citizens and denied some elderly citizens access to the drugs they need to stay alive or get well. Enactment of this legislation would provide all seniors with access to affordable medication. I urge the senior citizens of New Hampshire to call their Senators and ask that they pass an affordable, realistic, responsible prescription drug plan this year.