Prescription Drugs

For the first time in history, every senior in the United States has access to life-saving, affordable prescription drug coverage. With the passage of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA), seniors are saving half of what they spent before on their prescription drug costs.

Regardless of what the partisan politicians want to claim, seniors in America are better off with MMA.

Prior to the passage of MMA, employers were dropping prescription drug benefits for retirees at alarming rates. In 1998, 66% of employers provided benefits. In 2002, only 34% offered coverage. For this reason, the MMA provides an 80-cent tax subsidy for employers to encourage them to continue to provide coverage for their retirees.

Moreover, prior to MMA passage, the average senior spent $5980 a year on prescription drugs. In 2005, that amount was almost half. The facts are simple and clear: seniors are saving money on prescription drugs through Medicare.

Until Congress wakes up and allows drugs to be re-imported from Canada safely, seniors benefit most from MMA. Yet partisan politicians complain about the employer subsidy and slam the Prescription Drug Benefit, a program even the AARP endorsed. What do they offer instead?

My record for protecting seniors speaks for itself – I don’t just support the re-importation of prescription drugs from Canada, I voted in favor of it in 2004 and I am a cosponsor of the legislation again this year. I am also a cosponsor of legislation that will allow Medicare to negotiate for prescription drugs – something that will save seniors even more money. And finally, I proudly stood against partisan politics and voted in favor of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement Act that provided relief to three million seniors in Florida.

The Greatest Generation deserves nothing less than the best in their golden years. As your Member of Congress, I will ensure that seniors continue to have access to affordable, life-saving prescription drug coverage.