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Committee on Ways and Means

For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office 202-225-8933
April 16, 2002

Tomorrow’s Hearing Explores

Adding Prescription Drug Benefit to Medicare

 WASHINGTON- Today, many seniors face the escalating costs of prescription drugs without any coverage from the Medicare program.  These individuals may not have the resources to pay for the drugs they need, even when those drugs would prevent high risk, expensive procedures in the future. 

Prescription drugs have become an increasingly important component of modern medicine.  The Committee will examine how to structure a prescription drug benefit so that Medicare can better address this essential component of seniors’ healthcare.       

Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA) said, “Nobody would create a seniors’ health care program today that excluded prescription drugs.  Yet, Medicare’s lack of prescription drug benefit epitomizes the most glaring reason why Medicare must be modernized.  I am committed to enacting a prescription drug benefit this year as we update other parts of the program as well.”