Congressional Response: Representative Robert Simmons (R-2nd, Connecticut) Responds To Your Prescription Drug Petition

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Congressional Response: Representative Robert Simmons (R-2nd, Connecticut) Responds To Your Prescription Drug Petition

Thank you for contacting me regarding a prescription drug benefit under Medicare. I appreciate your taking the time to share your views with me.

Rest assured, I fully agree with your position and have made affordable prescription drug coverage my top legislative priority. As a member of the Speaker's Prescription Drug Action Team, I helped craft H.R. 4954, the "Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act." This historic prescription drug plan, which passed the House of Representatives on June 28, will extend coverage to Medicare's nearly 40 million beneficiaries. Specifically, the measure provides an immediate 15 percent discount on all drug costs. And while seniors would pay a $33 monthly premium and a $250 annual deductible, the plan provides 80 percent coverage for drug costs between $251 and $1,000 and 50 percent coverage for the next $1,000. Finally, the plan pays for all out-of-pocket drug expenses over $3,700 a year, ensuring that no senior will be forced into bankruptcy because of their prescription medication bill during a long-term, serious illness.

You may also be interested in knowing that earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 3684, the "Immediate Helping Hand Prescription Drug Assistance Act," legislation to provide $48 billion to states to help seniors afford prescription drug coverage. This national program is modeled after Connecticut's ConnPACE program and that helps seniors purchase low-cost medications. Under my legislation, states would receive block grants to provide a drug benefit for low-income Medicare beneficiaries, either through the creation of new state drug assistance programs or through the expansion of existing programs. With this targeted approach, states would be able to provide much needed dollars to drug programs, allowing more of our seniors to afford prescription drugs. Under my plan, Connecticut would receive $91.5 million each of the next five years.

Seniors should not be forced to scrimp on food and shelter just to be able to afford their medicine. Connecticut's seniors deserve more savings and more choice when they fill their prescriptions and I am committed to lowering the costs of prescription drugs, guaranteeing all senior citizens are provided prescription drug coverage, improving Medicare with more choices and more savings and strengthening Medicare for the future.

Thanks again for contacting me. Your opinions help me to serve you and the people of Connecticut better. Should you have any further questions or concerns about this or any other issue, please do not hesitate to call my staff or me.

May God bless you, your family and these United States of America.

All the best,

Rob Simmons
Member of Congress
Second District, Connecticut

October 2002