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June 28, 2001
ROCKEFELLER JOINS BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO ENACT PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE THIS YEAR
Senator cosponsors the Medicare Reform Act of 2001
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a Capitol Hill press conference today, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), along with a bipartisan group of senators, introduced widely-anticipated legislation, The Medicare Reform Act of 2001. The legislation, which is expected to be used as the basis for hearings this summer on the need to modernize Medicare, offers an innovative package of reforms including a prescription drug benefit.
"This bill brings the Medicare system into the 21st century by addressing the needs of today’s seniors." Rockefeller said. "I have said time and time again, we need comprehensive prescription drug coverage under Medicare. With Americans living longer, the number of individuals who rely on Medicare is increasing. We cannot continue to turn our backs on the fact that prescription drug coverage is a critical component of their health care needs."
"Affording prescription drugs is particularly difficult for seniors living in rural areas like West Virginia because they must spend a greater percentage of their income on medications. These seniors spend over 25 percent more on out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs than seniors in urban areas. In fact, the average fixed income for a senior in West Virginia is $10,800 a year, and they are forced to spend over $2,000 of that small income on prescription drugs," the senator added.
"Seniors need our help and we promised to give it to them. We have dragged our feet long enough," Rockefeller said. "The bill being offered today is the right place to start. Now is the time for action."
The Medicare system has been providing health care coverage for senior citizens and disabled Americans since it’s passage in 1965.
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