A large part of my decision to run for Congress was based on my goal to implement a meaningful prescription drug plan for our seniors. 

My wife and I own a pharmacy in Prescott. Through the years, I have seen so many seniors walk through the doors of our pharmacy, who could either not afford their medicine or could not afford to take it properly. And I have seen these very seniors, a week or two later after being in our pharmacy, in the hospital 16 miles down the road in Hope, running up thousands of dollars in Medicare bills simply because they could not afford to buy medicine or afford to take it properly.

So I ran for Congress, to try and modernize Medicare to include medicine for our seniors. I knew Washington was partisan. But I thought, if there was ever an issue that would not be a Democrat or Republican issue, but rather, a senior issue, this would be it. Instead, we have a bill that provides no real benefit for our seniors, and only benefits the big drug manufacturers. I cannot vote for the Medicare Bill in its current form, because it offers nothing more than false hope and false promises for our seniors.

This is a bill written by the big drug manufacturers to benefit the big drug manufacturers. The bill actually contains language that states the Federal Government shall be prohibited from negotiating with the big drug manufacturers to bring down the high cost of medicine! That is in the bill. And they call it a seniors' bill?

The second problem is the privatization aspect. Private plans will not offer the same, comprehensive benefits Medicare does. Because private plans’ first concern is profits, those plans will likely offer more limited benefits to our seniors than Medicare would.

And finally the prescription drug plan currently on the table does not even start until 2006, and only provides seniors $1,042.50 on the first $5,044.00 in prescription drug costs. 

When Members of Congress vote on this bill this week, they will be choosing to vote on the side of the big drug manufactures, or on the side of America’s seniors. In voting against this bill, I will be voting on the side of our seniors. And I will not stop fighting until seniors can walk into the pharmacy of their choice, pull out their Medicare card, and receive the same benefit that they do when they go to the doctor or hospital. 

Photo: Fourth District Rep. MIke Ross (D-Ark) recently visits with seniors in his district about the need to provide a meaningful and affordable prescription drug plan. Congress will vote on the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan this week. Ross will vote against the plan, calling it nothing more than a "false hope and a false promise" for America's seniors.

“I am pleased to have secured more than $35 million for our district’s energy and water needs,” Ross said.  “This crucial funding will create economic opportunities through studies, construction, and other improvements to our waterways.  Water resources are the key to the longevity of the region as cities, industries, farmers, recreational users, navigation interest, and fish and wildlife all benefit from these resources.  These projects are essential to maintaining or even improving our way of life, and preserving it for future generations of Arkansans.” 

The Report includes funding for the following Fourth District projects:

· Montgomery Point Lock and Dam - $23.5 million
· Ouachita and Black Rivers Lock and Dam -- $10.221 million.
· Arkansas River Navigation Study -- $1.2 million 
· Arkansas River Levees - $200,000 
· Lake Ouachita - $150,000 
· Red River Navigation -- $150,000
· City of Hot Springs (for completion of flood damage study) -- $31,000

The Senate and the House have passed the bill, and it is on its way to the President for signature.

“I urge my colleagues in Congress to fully-fund the promises made in the No Child Left Behind Education Reform Act, and of equal importance, to drop the provision that would allow for private school vouchers in the Washington D.C. public school system,” said Ross.  “The voucher inclusion would set a bad precedent for future legislation, and would divert much-needed resources away from 90 percent of American children who attend public schools."

Ross’s urging comes on the cusp of Congress’s final vote on an omnibus appropriations bill, which will fund a good portion of the federal government, including the Department of Education. Negotiators are still working out the final agreement on the omnibus bill.

This summer, House Republicans passed an education spending bill that breaks promises made to parents and children in the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act.  That bill under-funds the landmark legislation by $8 billion - meaning that 2 million children will not get reading and math help, one million children will not have after-school programs, and 80,000 fewer teachers will get high-quality training.  In September, House Republicans included a private school vouchers proposal in the spending bill for the District of Columbia. Both bills will now be combined into one “omnibus” spending bill.

 “Education is a top priority of our country, and yet Congress will get a failing grade if we adjourn for the year without making sure that our children have the best education possible, or at least education improvements that were promised,” said Ross.

This week is American Education Week, which recognizes the educators and school staff who keep our children safe and healthy.  This week long celebration has been celebrated since 1921, and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, National Education Association, National PTA, American Legion, American Association of School Administrators, National School Boards Association, American Federal of Teacher, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and National Association of Secondary School Principals.