October 25, 1999: Working to MakePrescription Drugs Affordable



PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT GORE:
WORKING TO MAKE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AFFORDABLE FOR SENIORS

"This debate over Medicare is more than about politics and budgets, it's about people. No senior should have to forgo or cut back on lifesaving medication because of the cost. We can afford to do something about it; we know what to do about it, and therefore, we have no excuse for inaction."

President Bill Clinton
Monday, October 25, 1999

Today, at the White House, President Clinton made a series of announcements on the need to strengthen and modernize Medicare The President criticized the multi-million dollar campaign backed by the pharmaceutical industry to kill a Medicare prescription drug benefit; directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to produce a study on drug costs and trends; and challenged Congress to pass his Social Security legislation, which will reserve one-third of the non-Social Security surplus for Medicare. Last Friday, Vice President Gore also expressed his concern about the inability of older and disabled Americans to access affordable prescription drugs.

Clearing Up the Myths in Advertising Campaign. President Clinton criticized the deceptive, multi-million dollar advertising campaign by the pharmaceutical industry against a Medicare prescription drug benefit. Citizens for Better Medicare, a group organized and primarily funded by the pharmaceutical industry, is sponsoring TV, radio and print ads that include several myths about the President's plan for a prescription drug benefit, including:

The President emphasized that America's elderly deserve more than deceptive scare tactics, and urged the drug industry to be more constructive as he works to forge a consensus on critical Medicare reform legislation.

Directing HHS to Produce its First Study on Prescription Drug Costs and Trends. The President directed HHS Secretary Donna Shalala to produce the first-ever HHS study of prescription drug costs and trends for Medicare beneficiaries. The study, which will be released within 90 days, will investigate:

Urging Congress to Strengthen and Modernize Medicare. The President announced that he is sending legislation to Congress that will reserve one-third of the non-Social Security surplus for Medicare. This reserve can be used to extend Medicare's solvency and help fund a prescription drug benefit, although the precise allocation of these funds will be left open to provide flexibility in developing a Medicare reform proposal that can generate bipartisan support.

October 1999

October 20, 1999

October 15, 1999

October 21, 1999

October 28, 1999

October 22, 1999

October 29, 1999

October 25, 1999

October 27, 1999

October 1, 1999

October 12, 1999

October 13, 1999

October 19, 1999


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