Feingold Calls for Lower Prescription Drug Costs for
Seniors
Supports
Legislation to Help Community Pharmacies Pass Savings on to
Seniors
January 10,
2000
Friendship, WI -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today emphasized his
support for lower prescription drug costs for seniors, including his
support for a bill to lower drug costs and his support for adding a
prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program as part of Medicare
reform.
"The absence of prescription drug coverage in Medicare means staggering
out-of-pocket expenses for Wisconsin seniors," Feingold said. "The
Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act could make a big difference for
seniors who are struggling to cover these costs."
Feingold is an original cosponsor of The Prescription Drug Fairness for
Seniors Act, which would allow all pharmacies that serve seniors to
purchase prescription drugs at the same discounted rates granted to
pharmaceutical companies’ bigger customers. Many community pharmacies that
serve Wisconsin seniors pay higher prices for prescription medication than
pharmaceutical companies’ favored customers, such as hospitals. Those
higher prices are then passed on to seniors. The Prescription Drug
Fairness for Seniors Act would extend those discounted prices to all
pharmacies serving Medicare beneficiaries. Feingold noted that high drug
costs are especially tough for seniors because they are not covered under
Medicare, leaving the majority of Wisconsin seniors with little access to
affordable prescription medication.
"With people over 65 paying more for drugs than they do for doctor's
care, and with drug costs rising rapidly, Congress must address the
problem of prescription drugs," Feingold said. "The Prescription Drug
Fairness for Seniors Act is just the first step toward addressing this
problem – another step to consider in the coming year is to include a
prescription drug benefit as part of Medicare reform. I will continue to
fight for the reasonable rates seniors deserve for the prescription
medication they depend on to manage serious health conditions and to
improve the quality of their lives."
Feingold's seventh Listening Session of 2000, and the 511th
since he was first elected in 1992, was held at the Village Friendship
Municipal Building at 10:30 a.m. Feingold’s eighth session of the year,
and 512th since he was first elected, was held at the Ethel
Everhard Memorial Library beginning at 12:30
p.m. |