WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) hailed the passage of H.R. 4 in the U.S. House of Representatives as a victory for senior citizens advocates and taxpayers.  The measure, which Emerson has introduced in prior Congresses, was adopted by a vote of 255-170.

 

“All the time, we talk about running government using the principles of business and the private sector, and this bill contains a tremendous opportunity to do just that.  It overturns a law that prevents a government official from representing taxpayers as we buy prescription drugs for over 38 million Americans who are enrolled in the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit – a number that is bound to grow as 80 million members of the Baby Boom generation reach retirement age. 

 

“The Department of Defense isn’t forced to buy bullets one at a time, and we shouldn’t force Medicare to buy medicines one pill at a time.  The bulk purchases of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries holds the promise of significant future savings over the current system, simply by giving the taxpayer an advocate in these transactions at the Department of Health and Human Services.  The looming retirements of millions of Baby Boomers demand that we prepare for a surge in Medicare enrollments now instead of making cuts to the program later,” Emerson said.

 

Emerson appeared at a press conference yesterday with House leaders and Joanne Disch, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), to discuss support for the bill.