WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) released the following statement at a summit of nation’s governors to discuss prescription drug importation led by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.
 
I want to thank Governor Pawlenty and Governor Blagojevich, for being persistent voices for the millions of people in their states and for leading the grassroots movement on the issue of affordable prescription drugs.  Thanks also to the courage of Governors Wise and Doyle and Mayor Albano, and the other state and local officials who have organized grassroots efforts to lower prescription drug prices, this issue will not go away.

The simple and tragic fact is that right now, Americans cannot afford their drugs.  An AP study released today found that one-third of Americans say paying for prescription drugs is a problem.  This is a problem with real consequences – of those who have trouble paying for their drugs, three-fourths say their primary solution is to limit their dosages.

Members of Congress consistently say that they want government to work more like a business, but unfortunately, the Medicare bill passed last year missed an opportunity to open prescription drug markets and let competition bring prices down.

However, states like the ones represented here today are using business principles like competitive pricing – and in the process they can save money for American families and for strapped state governments. 

These Governors are not just fighting to make prescription drugs more affordable; their fiscal responsibility will help keep teachers in schools and police officers on the streets.  And the savings will be passed down to taxpayers.

A study released last week by a leading statistical health organization, IMS Health, found that Americans spent $600 million more on prescription drugs from Canada last year than ever before – from $500 billion in 2002 to $1.1 billion in 2003.   By raising the profile of this issue, we have proven that opening prescription drug markets helps Americans afford their prescription drugs.

Clearly, the federal government’s campaign of fear and misinformation is not having its intended effect.  If the federal government won’t be fiscally responsible for them, American seniors will take matters into their own hands, and buy the SAME drugs, with the same safety standards, from Canada for much less money. 

Through the hard work of a bipartisan coalition, we were able to pass the Pharmaceutical Market Access Act in the House last year.  This year, Members of both parties are working together to pass a bill in the Senate and get it to the President’s desk. 

With the momentum of the grassroots efforts of American families, to city, state, and federal government action, this Administration can’t afford to ignore us anymore.