• 12/08/03 - Read the Medicare letter and Cost Chart

• 11/01/03 NYT OP-ED: A Plan to Import Drugs Safely

• 10/28/03 - Boston Rx Drug Market Access Field Forum

• 10/8/03  USA TODAY article: "Once just a trickle, Canada's Rx drugs pouring into USA"  Seniors seek bargains; FDA cracks down

• 10/1/03 HEARING TRANSCRIPTS & PHOTOS

• 9/30/03 Press Release: Chairman Burton to Examine Surge in Malpractice Insurance Premium Rates -“Dying for Help: Are Patients Needlessly Suffering Due to the High Cost of Medical Liability Insurance?”

• 9/24/03 HEARING TRANSCRIPTS & PHOTOS

• 9/23/03 Press Release:   Chairman Burton Explores Medicare Legislation Alternative “A MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG SAFETY NET: CREATING A TARGETED BENEFIT FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS”

• 4/29/03 - United Seniors Association sends thank you to Rep. Burton for standing up for Senior Americans.  Click here to read letter

The 108^th Congress is expected to consider a variety of Medicare reform proposals:

One of the most noticeable gaps in the Medicare program is the very limited prescription drug benefit.  In June 2002, H.R. 4954: The "Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act of 2002," was passed by the House of Representatives on June 28, 2002. click here to read more.  This bill sought to help seniors cope with the rising costs of health care and prescription drugs by lowering the cost of prescription drugs for the average senior by 44 percent and by providing 100 percent coverage for low-income seniors.  It would have capped out-of-pocket costs at $3,700.  I believe that the best kind of price control is competition, and H.R. 4954 would have lowered costs through competition.  After its passage in the House of Representatives, the bill was referred to the U.S. Senate where the Democratic-led Senate spent several weeks debating various proposals, but were unable to come to an agreement on a plan before adjourning.  Congress needs to pass legislation to provide real prescription drug coverage for America’s seniors. 

During the 107th Congress, I supported giving seniors the voluntary choice between five types of health plans.  Seniors now have the option of staying with the traditional fee-for-service Medicare plan or they can choose from provider-sponsored organizations, Medical Saving Accounts, private health plans/Health Maintenance Organizations, and Preferred Provider Organizations. Now seniors themselves, not some Washington bureaucrat, will be able to make this personal and important decision on which health care plan best suits their needs.

Sky rocketing premiums, caused by frivolous lawsuits, are hurting the economy and forcing families to pay more for health care.  Last congress, the House passed medical liability legislation sought to stem the tide of high insurance rates that are causing doctors to limit the vital health care services that they can offer.  Efforts to enact sensible medical liability legislation will continue in the House of Representatives.