Via email:
Today, Republicans will offer a proposal to ensure that seniors can continue to choose the prescription drugs they need and continue to meet with their local pharmacist. Specifically, the GOP proposal will:
Guarantee that Medicare beneficiaries still have access to drugs that treat: oral cancer, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, Alzheimer's, ALS (Lou Gherig's disease), and drugs to safeguard organ transplants; and
Ensure that seniors retain access to their local pharmacies so they can continue to receive advice and counsel from their neighborhood pharmacist.
PROTECTING SENIORS' ACCESS TO LIFE-SAVING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
The Democrat proposal does NOT protect seniors' access to the equivalent number of drugs provided currently through their prescription drug plan of choice. An analysis of the VA national formulary (list of available drugs) demonstrated 110 instances where appropriate drug types or drug classes did not satisfy current Medicare Part D minimum formulary requirements. In fact, 31 drug types widely recognized by physician groups as the best drugs to treat certain conditions are not included on the VA's formulary. The GOP plan will protect seniors' access to these life-saving drugs.
PROTECTING SENIORS' CHOICE OF THEIR LOCAL PHARMACISTS
The competition rooted in today's Medicare Part D program provides another benefit to seniors: choice. Seniors can choose a plan that meets their needs. They can choose the drugs they need. And importantly they can go to their own pharmacy and meet with their own pharmacist. But the Democrat bill - modeled on the VA system where some 80 percent of drugs are dispensed through mail order - would significantly curtail seniors' access to their own local pharmacists. The GOP plan would ensure that seniors retain access to their local pharmacies so they can continue to receive advice and counsel from their pharmacist.
It is unfortunate that House Democrats have chosen to move forward with this bill without the benefit of committee hearings to weigh its impact. The marketplace is working for America 's seniors and taxpayers. Any Medicare reforms considered by Congress should be rooted in free market principles that empower consumers with less costly, higher quality health care. America's seniors deserve the best health care possible -- they won't get it if Washington is calling the shots.
UPDATE - Boehner's Speech (as prepared):
"Madame Speaker, I rise today in opposition to HR 4, a bill that would limit seniors' choices by bringing government price controls to the popular Medicare prescription drug program.
"Medicare Part D is succeeding because it's rooted in free market principles. The cost of the drug program has plummeted by 30 percent because of competition. The competition between dozens of plan providers is driving down costs for seniors and taxpayers alike. In fact, a recent Congressional Budget Office report says the current model is working so well that the proposal on the floor today will not save any money. Not one penny.
"This competition provides another benefit to seniors: choice. Seniors can choose a plan that meets their needs. They can choose the drugs they need. They can go to their own pharmacy and meet with their own pharmacist. But the bill before us today could change all of that. As experts have pointed out, the only way this bill might accomplish any savings is to limit seniors' choices and do what the VA does: require the drugs to be delivered on a mail-order basis. I don't think that's what seniors want.
"This bill would also have to limit seniors' choices in medicine. There are currently more than 4,300 prescription drugs available to seniors through Medicare drug plans. Supporters of this bill compare it to the Department of Veterans Affairs plan. But that plan offers less than one-third of the drugs available through Part D. USA Today has called on Congress to 'put the brakes' on this price control plan because 'more than one-third of retired veterans... enroll in Medicare drug plans' because the Department of Veterans Affairs plan offers far fewer choices.
"In fact, the American Legion, a Veterans organization with 3 million members, opposes the measure before us. The American Legion commander said this bill 'is not in the best interest of America 's veterans and their families.' That's why President Bush has vowed to veto this measure.
"Today, House Republicans will offer an alternate proposal that ensures seniors continue to enjoy the low prices and range of choices offered by the Medicare prescription drug program. Seniors are happy with the Medicare Prescription Drug program. They're saving money. And they have ample choices.
"Today in the Republican motion to recommit, we'll attempt to ensure seniors have the same choices they do today: choices in prescription drugs and access to the pharmacies of their choice. We believe seniors have a right to choose a plan that meets their needs. Seniors have a right to go to their pharmacy and talk to their pharmacists about their drugs. The measure before us will lead to higher prices and, frankly, fewer choices for American seniors.
"I urge my colleagues to vote against HR 4."
