Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy
On His Decision To Oppose
The Compromise Prescription Drug Bill
Friday Evening, November 21, 2003

“In June we passed a decent Medicare prescription drug bill in the Senate, and that is why I voted for it.  Even the Senate bill was a weaker bill than I believe we need, but it was a solid start. 

“Seniors need a stronger prescription drug bill than this one. 

“There is some good in this bill, but seniors deserve much better.  I cannot support this bill because it undermines traditional Medicare, it does not adequately provide for the needs of rural and low-income seniors and people with disabilities, and it does nothing to bring down the rising costs of drugs.

“Worst of all, House leaders have hijacked this bill as a locomotive to pull the drug industry’s baggage.  They have taken the industry’s side over consumers’ interests on issue after issue.  They have given the industry a veto over giving Medicare the market leverage to bring down costs.  They have done the drug industry’s bidding by blocking drug reimportation.  It is wrong to pad the drug industry’s wallets at the expense of the seniors of Vermont and the nation.”

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