Feingold Calls for Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Seniors Supports Legislation to Help Community Pharmacies Pass Savings on to Seniors January 11, 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.

# # #