VT Congressman Sanders slams Medicare reform

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"They (drug companies) could care less," he said, adding, "You don't have the money, you die."

 

 

Brattleboro ReformerSanders slams Medicare reform By MIKE KALIL Special to the Reformer Thursday, January 15, 2004 - WESTMINSTER -- After senior citizens reap prescription drug benefits outlined in the Medicare reform bill signed by President Bush last month, they will end up paying more for their medicine, Rep. Bernard Sanders said Wednesday afternoon. The independent congressman told a classroom-sized group at the Southeastern Vermont Community Action office that the prescription drug benefit is a "very good idea," but the bill was essentially written by the pharmaceutical industry for the pharmaceutical industry. A year or two after 2006, when the new prescription drug benefit is to begin, seniors will pay more than ever, he said. And in the two years before 2006, Americans will spend about 85 percent of prescription drug costs out of their own pockets, he said. "The benefits are quite weak," he said. Furthermore, he said, he believes that the president is trying to privatize Medicare. He said if things get worse, insurance companies will be "cherry picking" their clients; "wealthier and healthier" Americans will receive premium coverage. To combat this, he said, Americans should be able to purchase prescription drugs from Canada, a practice that has garnered national media attention and frustrated the Food and Drug Administration. "The costs are soaring every single year and we're paying the highest prices in the world," he said. On several occasions, he said, he crossed the Canadian border to buy prescription medicine without incident. Between 1 million and 2 million Americans get their prescription medications from Canada, he said, but no one has been arrested for it yet. "We'll reach the point of no return," he said, which could force drug companies to lower their prices -- which are cheaper to re-import from Canada than to buy at local pharmacies. "They (drug companies) could care less," he said, adding, "You don't have the money, you die." New Hampshire Gov. Craig Benson announced last month that the state government's Web site will provide residents access to cheaper Canadian prescription drugs. Springfield, Mass., currently provides city employees and retired residents access to a Canadian prescription drug portal on the city's Web site. http://www.reformer.com/cda/article/print/0,1674,102%257E8862%257E1892287,00.html