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UPDATED: Democrats to Offer American's 'Prescription for Change' to Medicare Drug Benefit

Posted on: Friday, 17 February 2006, 18:00 CST

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House and Senate Democrats are headed back to their states and districts for the President's Day Recess to talk with the American people about problems they have endured with the Republican prescription drug plan. Democrats will hold more than 100 events with their constituents to offer the Democratic "Prescription for Change" to fix the disastrous program.

"America's seniors deserve a prescription drug program that helps them get the medicine they need, but they've been given an overly complex and poorly implemented giveaway to HMOs and drug companies," said Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid. "Americans have concerns about the problems they're experiencing, and while Republicans would rather ignore their complaints, Democrats are ready to listen and offer solutions."

"Today the President acknowledged there have been 'glitches' with his Republican prescription drug plan, but America's seniors think this complicated and confusing drug plan is more than just a glitch - - it is what happens when legislation is written with special interests, not the people's interests, in mind," said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. "Democrats are holding town hall meetings across the country to talk to the Americans directly affected by the Republican culture of corruption, and work for a complete overhaul of this disastrous plan."

The confusing prescription drug bill has been wracked by problems from its beginning. The special interest plan heavily rewards drug companies and HMOs, not the seniors it was supposed to help. To make matters worse, the Bush Administration has botched the implementation of the program, and now seniors and people with disabilities across America are plagued with a complex program that leaves too many seniors without their prescriptions and unsure whether their drugs will remain covered.

Democrats will keep up the drumbeat across America to address seniors' concerns and improve the program by holding town hall events with constituents across the country. Democrats are fighting for initiatives to change the Medicare prescription drug plan into one that works for beneficiaries and reduces the cost of prescription drugs for all Americans. We can do better than a program that favors the special interests, not America's interests.

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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