Durbin, Berry, Schakowsky Work to Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Seniors

Press Release

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) along with Representatives Marion Berry (D-AR) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today held a joint conference call to discuss the introduction of the Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2009. The bill creates a Medicare administered prescription drug plan to provide seniors an alternative to the more expensive, privately administered prescription drug plans currently offered under Part D.

"The high cost of prescription drugs has made it hard for many low-income seniors to afford the medications their doctors recommend while keeping up with the rest of their bills. They deserve an affordable drug benefit," said Durbin. "Our legislation will provide an alternative that requires the Administration to negotiate on behalf of seniors to bring down the costs of needed medications. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Obama Administration to see this important legislation included in future health care debates."

"In this economy, seniors on fixed incomes are forced to stretch their dollars farther everyday for basic needs like prescription drugs," said Congressman Marion Berry (D-AR). "Instead of giving insurance and pharmaceutical companies complete control over drug prices, we need to give Medicare the power to negotiate on behalf our seniors. This legislation will provide seniors with the option of choosing between a Medicare operated or privately run plan that creates competition, giving seniors a potentially cheaper alternative they already know and trust. The time has come to stop lining the pockets of pharmaceutical companies and enact a law that helps seniors get the prescription drugs they need at an affordable cost."

"After eight years of repeated attempts to privatize Medicare, we finally have a President who believes that our government has a responsibility to take care of our seniors and people with disabilities," said Schakowsky. "Under our bill, seniors and people with disabilities would finally be able to select a Medicare-operated drug plan that provides a guaranteed benefit without having to worry that their premiums will drastically increase or their access to needed drugs will drastically decrease each year. Giving seniors and people with disabilities a choice of a drug plan under Medicare will give them security, simplicity, and savings. I look forward to working with President Obama and my colleagues to give seniors and people with disabilities a real option to pay less and get more."

The bill would establish one or more Medicare-operated drug plans that would compete with private prescription drug plans. In addition, the bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate the purchase price of covered Part D drugs with pharmaceutical manufacturers, which would give consumers access to cheaper, more affordable medicines.

This bill has been endorsed by the American Public Health Association, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Medicare Rights Center, SEIU, AFSCME, Alliance for Retired Americans, Families USA, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and the American Nurses Association.

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