WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) Monday testified before the House Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health and the Environment on the immediate need to provide prescription drug assistance to the most vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries.
 
“I introduced legislation... to provide targeted prescription drug assistance to the neediest Medicare beneficiaries — individuals who are low-income or have high drug costs.  This bill would help Medicare beneficiaries now,” Peterson said.

“Approximately two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries have some form of prescription drug coverage.  The one-third that do not are largely women and individuals on fixed-incomes.  The high cost of prescription drugs coupled with an individual’s low-income forces beneficiaries to make decisions that no American should have to make,”  Peterson said. “I’m speaking of Medicare beneficiaries who have to choose between paying bills and buying groceries, or purchasing prescription drugs.  With the best health care system in the world, these are decisions that should never have to be made.”

Peterson concluded, “The time is ripe for prescription drug assistance. Congress should not let this opportunity to help seniors and individuals with disabilities slip by.”

The Commerce Subcommittee on Health and the Environment plans to debate this bill in the near future.
 

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