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May 1, 2002 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Suzanne Graney Director of Communications Office: (717) 600-1919 |
Congressman Platts Named to Prescription Drug Action Team
Congressional team aims to make common-sense Medicare principles a reality for seniors
Washington, D.C. - Today Congressman Platts was one of 42 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives named to serve on the Speaker Hastert's Prescription Drug Action Team. This select group of lawmakers is charged with the mission to work with the House Energy & Commerce Committee, the House Ways & Means Committee, and House Leadership to help make the following four common-sense Medicare principles a reality for seniors and their families.
Principle 1: Lower the Costs of Prescription Drugs Now
A fair and responsible Medicare plan must lower the costs of prescription drugs now so senior citizens can better afford the medicines they need to live healthier and improve their quality of life.
Principle 2: Guarantee All Senior Citizens Prescription Drug Coverage
A fair and responsible Medicare plan must guarantee a prescription drug benefit under Medicare for all seniors and provide additional assistance for low-income seniors and those facing runaway drug costs because of a long-term, severe illness.
Principle 3: Improve Medicare with More Choices & More Savings
A fair and responsible Medicare plan must give senior citizens more power to choose what's best for them. It would promote preventive medicine, include an affordable and voluntary prescription drug benefit, strengthen the Medicare+Choice program, and lower overall health care costs.
Principle 4: Strengthen Medicare for the Future
A fair and responsible plan must strengthen Medicare by ensuring the program can deliver necessary health care services, including the addition of an affordable and voluntary prescription drug benefit under Medicare.
Congressman Platts said, "All too often citizens are unable to afford their prescription medications needed to sustain a healthy, active life. Many senior citizens are finding it increasingly more difficult to pay for their prescription medications, and some are faced with the decision to pay for either their necessary prescription drugs or groceries. No citizen should be forced to choose between purchasing food or prescription drugs."
The Action Team is led by Co-Chairs Billy Tauzin (R-LA) & Bill Thomas (R-CA), both of whom are Committee Chairmen with jurisdiction over Medicare. Serving in Vice Chair roles are Mike Bilirakis (R-FL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) & Nancy Johnson (R-CT). Members of the Prescription Drug Action Team are listed below.
| Todd Akin (R-MO) Roy Blunt (R-MO) John Boozman (R-AR) Ed Bryant (R-TN) Richard Burr (R-NC) Steve Buyer (R-IN) Dave Camp (R-MI) Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) Jo Ann Davis (R-VA) Jennifer Dunn (R-WA) Mike Ferguson (R-NJ) Ernie Fletcher (R-KY) Randy Forbes (R-VA) George Gekas (R-PA) Sam Graves (R-MO) Felix Grucci (R-NY) Melissa Hart (R-PA) Robin Hayes (R-NC) J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) |
Ric Keller (R-FL) |
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