Democrats offer prescription for change to confusing Republican Drug Plan

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats held a news conference today at the Capitol to present the Democratic Prescription for Change, which offers key improvements to the Republican prescription drug program to ensure that seniors and people with disabilities can receive the simple, affordable, and reliable benefit they have earned after a lifetime of hard work.  Below are Pelosi’s remarks:   

“Good morning.  I am pleased to be here with Andre Lewis, who will tell his story about what it is like to fall into the Medicare prescription drug benefit’s donut hole.  Andre’s situation is shared by many across the country.  I’m honored that Andre has joined Democrats this morning as we present a Democratic Prescription for Change.  

“Democrats stand united to provide commonsense improvements to the flawed Bush prescription drug bill.  We will put seniors and people with disabilities first by bringing affordability, simplicity, and reliability to the benefit.  

“The Democratic Prescription for Change will make prescription drugs more affordable by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices and using those savings to close the donut hole; provide seniors with the simple and reliable option of a plan administered by Medicare; and ensure reliable and uninterrupted access to prescription drugs by stopping drug plans from increasing co-payments and creating burdensome bureaucracy. 

“Democrats intend to enact our Prescription for Change in a fiscally responsible way – improving the benefit without burdening future generations with endless debt. 

“Democrats have proposed a New Direction for America – new priorities that will build a stronger country for all Americans.  Central to our New Direction is expanding access to quality health care for Americans.  We will begin by making prescription drugs more affordable for our seniors.  We will also ensure a dignified retirement and protect the guaranteed benefit of Social Security from any attempts at privatization.  As you know, the Republicans have said that the first order of business for them in January if re-elected would be to go back to Social Security.  Democrats will preserve Social Security – this is our pledge. 

“America’s seniors made a down payment on a dignified retirement with a lifetime of hard work.  Democrats want to give them the simple, affordable, and reliable prescription drug benefit they deserve.