Congressman Bob Filner

Fighting for Imperial County Cattle Farmers
In December, after a nearly two-year long ban on American beef, Japan opened their trading doors to U.S. beef distributors. Shortly after beef shipments had resumed, Japan again closed their borders to American beef. The replacement of this ban was brought about because a shipment of ineligible veal passed through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors and was allowed to be sent to Japan.

For my constituents in Imperial County, where beef is the number one commodity, this is a ban that they cannot afford. After receiving notice that the ban was being re-implemented, I immediately sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture demanding an explanation.

I find it unacceptable that USDA inspectors allowed an ineligible shipment to be exported. As a result, I led the Congressional Beef Caucus in expressing our disappointment in the Administration’s performance and have been working diligently with government officials from both countries to bring an immediate halt to this ban.

Spot Light: Prescription Drugs, Know Your Benefits
In late January, Congresswoman Susan Davis and I led a rally to protest the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. I strongly opposed this law that abandons our seniors and casts aside the most vulnerable in our society. Health care providers ranging from physicians to pharmacists have confirmed that the President’s Medicare “Reform” legislation leaves millions of Americans, especially dual-eligibles (“Medicare & MediCal”) without critical life-saving medications.

Pharmaceutical and insurance companies worked with Republican leaders to draft this legislation to suit their needs at the expense of America’s seniors and taxpayers. Unfortunately, the GOP leadership specifically added language that would prevent the federal government from negotiating prices for prescription drugs. According to experts, this alone will cost the taxpayers $500 billion, enough money to eliminate co-payments and reduce the $250 deductible.

You will be pleased to know that I am working with my Democratic colleagues to fix the shortcomings of Medicare Part D. I co-sponsored the Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act and the Medicare Informed Choice Act. These bills will allow the federal government to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies, as it does with medicines for veterans in the Veterans Administration. This legislation substantially lowers costs to beneficiaries and taxpayers. It would also extend the deadline to enroll without penalty until 2007.

Health care coverage is a basic right for every American! The best solution is to expand Medicare to include prescription drugs. This is the simplest, most effective and least expensive way to provide drugs for our seniors.

Congressman Filner and Congresswoman Susan Davis speak to San Diegans about the confusion in the new prescription drug benefits