Legislative Update Week of April 26, 2004

Send this article to a friend.

Printer friendly version.

Legislative Update Week of April 26, 2004

A drug a senior can't afford to take is neither safe nor effective, TSCL Vice Chair Dottie Holmes will say simply. This message was laid out to seniors in attendance at a recent Town Hall meeting held at the Capitol building in Denver, CO.

Colorado Representatives Marilyn Musgrave and Tom Tancredo and former Representative Bob Schaffer (CO) sponsored the meeting. Also attending was Representative Gil Gutknecht (MN). Congressman Gutknecht is the sponsor of H.R.2427, a bill allowing for drug importation from Canada and Europe using tamper-proof and anti-counterfeit packaging. The legislation passed the House in July 2003.

Congresswoman Musgrave talked at the meeting about how seniors are living longer and healthier lives due to disease-curing pharmaceutical drugs. But because of rising health care costs, she is concerned seniors cannot afford the drugs they need.

TSCL is an ardent proponent of allowing drug importation as a way of lowering drug prices for all seniors. We encourage our members and supporters to attend future town hall meetings, and ask Members of Congress to work to see this vital legislation get passed this year.

Speaking about the momentum being gained on drug importation, Rep. Gutknecht said, "When we began this battle, it was just me and my charts. Now, we have legions of support from lawmakers who understand that Americans are struggling with health care costs. But the bedrock of our support has come from our seniors. They have written letters and called their elected officials -- they have done the heavy lifting to get this issue to the forefront."


Sources: "Gutknecht, Tancredo, Musgrave Push for Affordable Pharmaceuticals," Congressman Gil Gutknecht-News Release, April 14, 2004

"Gutknecht, Istook Participate in Oklahoma City Town Hall Meeting," Congressman Gil Gutknecht-News Release, March 19, 2004

May 2004