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Committee on Ways and Means For Immediate Release Rx Drug Benefit Should Be a Permanent Entitlement, says Thomas WASHINGTON -- Today, Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA) made the following statement about the introduction of Medicare legislation by Senate Democrats: “This legislation includes a very precarious piece. It creates and then ‘sunsets’ their prescription drug benefit after five years. The Senate has essentially offered a demonstration project when the need to provide prescription drug coverage for seniors has already been clearly and repeatedly established. It is a cruel hoax for the Senate to offer needed medicine only to take it away later. Seniors deserve to be entitled to this benefit, and the Senate plan denies them this security.” Chairman Thomas and Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Nancy Johnson (R-CT) are developing legislation with the House Energy and Commerce Committee to provide a permanent drug benefit for seniors while also taking steps to improve Medicare. |