U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-3rd) called the Medicare prescription drug proposal presented today by House Republicans "an historic change to Medicare that will finally make prescription drug coverage affordable and available to all Medicare beneficiaries."

Ramstad was appointed by the Speaker to the House Prescription Drug Task Force which drafted the proposal.

"Under our plan, Minnesota seniors will no longer have to go broke just to pay for the prescription drugs they need," said Ramstad.

"All seniors deserve access to prescription drugs, and we provide it with this comprehensive proposal," said Ramstad, who is also a member of the Health Subcommittee.

"This comprehensive plan helps make prescription drug coverage affordable for low-income seniors and provides protection against high out-of-pocket drug costs," said Ramstad. "It also helps lower prescription drug costs for those who participate by utilizing the market forces of group purchasing, volume discounts and negotiated prices to control the costs of drugs."

"The American health care system has changed dramatically since 1965 when Medicare was created, and our seniors need and deserve a modernized Medicare program that includes prescription drug coverage," said Ramstad.