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June 27, 2003
TANNER, BLUE DOGS OFFER
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN
House denies debate, neglects needs of rural
seniors
U.S. Rep. John Tanner and the Blue Dog Coalition were denied a chance to present a plan to help senior citizens struggling with the high price of prescription drugs. The plan, which would have especially helped with rising medicine costs in rural areas, was not brought to the floor of the House, Congressman Tanner said.
"House leaders have chosen not to allow an open debate on the Blue Dog prescription drug plan that would help all Americans, regardless of where they live," said Tanner, co-founder of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of 36 moderate to conservative Democrats in the U.S. House. "We proposed a Medicare prescription drug benefit that would have offered relief from the high cost of prescription drugs. Unfortunately, the House was denied an open and fair debate on this important issue."
The House instead passed a prescription drug bill early Friday that does not guarantee equal benefits to all senior citizens and does not take effect until 2006, Tanner said.
"America’s seniors have waited long enough, and the Blue Dog proposal offers this chamber a chance to consider a sensible alternative to the seriously flawed Republican plan," said Rep. Mike Thompson (CA), who authored the Blue Dog plan Tanner supported.
The Republican-backed plan passed by the House would be administered by HMOs and the private insurance industry, not Medicare, Tanner said. Private insurance companies could provide inconsistent coverage costly to rural patients, like many in Tennessee. The fundamental flaw in the Republican proposal is the lack of a national uniform plan available under Medicare. The Republican plan would also do nothing to get the costs of prescription drugs under control.
The Blue Dog plan would have offered more help for senior citizens in rural areas and would have required the federal government to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs for our seniors.
"At a time when seven of 10 seniors say they would prefer health care through their existing Medicare plan, I support their decision and see this bill as the best option to bring immediate relief," said Rep. Dennis Moore (KS), a member of the Blue Dog Coalition. "This plan will create opportunities to negotiate lower drug costs -- ending the unacceptable choice many seniors now face between buying food or covering the cost of medications."
The Blue Dog proposal would guarantee that the federal government would offer a prescription drug benefit in areas where there are not at least two other medicine plans available.
"Whether they live in a big city high rise or a rural farm community, seniors deserve reliable prescription drug coverage," said Rep. Chris John (LA), a member of the Blue Dog Coalition."I do think choice under Medicare should mean the beneficiary chooses a doctor or a hospital, not just a choice among different health plan options," Congressman Tanner said. "The best way to guarantee affordable prescription coverage for all beneficiaries is to make coverage part of the Medicare program.
"The bill the House passed simply does not do this. We will continue working with the Senate toward a fair, cost-effective Medicare benefit for all beneficiaries."
Tanner represents Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District and serves on the House Ways and Means Committee.
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