(Washington, D.C.)–In an effort to provide affordable prescription drugs to income-strapped older Rhode Islanders, Congressman Jim Langevin last night sought to offer an amendment to the Medicare Prescription Drug & Modernization Act that would encourage discounted medication costs for seniors.  Unfortunately, the amendment was blocked by Republican members of the Rules Committee and will not be allowed to be considered on the House Floor during debate on the Medicare bill today.

Langevin’s amendment would have stricken a clause in the legislation that prevents the Medicare Administrator from leveraging the purchasing power of 40 million Medicare recipients to negotiate lower drug prices for beneficiaries.  Supporters of an affordable prescription drug plan have repeatedly discussed the enormous bulk purchasing power of the federal government.  Currently, Medicare does not purchase medications in bulk, leaving seniors to fend for themselves against spiraling drug costs.

“In its current form, this legislation does little to help seniors and greatly enhances the bottom line for drug companies,” said Congressman Langevin.  “It is time for the federal government to enact sensible, cost-saving measures that will give our seniors more affordable access to their often life-saving medications.  My amendment would have allowed Medicare to provide more affordable prescription drugs to all seniors.”

Earlier this week, Congressman Langevin and the Rhode Island Academy of Family Physicians announced the results of a survey taken among Rhode Island's Medicare beneficiaries that found:
 
37% of seniors spend more than $100.00 per month on prescription drugs
20% of the time patients do not take medication exactly as prescribed due to cost
18% have skipped medication to make their prescriptions last longer
25% are prevented from filling a prescription or refill on time at least once a month due to cost
32% rely on free samples from the physician's office
34% cite cost as the greatest barrier to taking their prescriptions
19% rely upon the Pharmacy Assistance Program for their medication

“It is time for the Republican Leadership to stand up for our seniors, rather than the drug companies,” added Langevin.  “I find it appalling that we legislate in an atmosphere that places a higher value on stock portfolios than the livelihood and health of those who built this nation.”

Langevin also led a debate on the prescription drug issue this past Monday evening on the Floor of the House in which he called for increased affordability of prescription drugs for seniors.

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