Ehrlich on Washington column, June 28, 1999

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON Week of June 28, 1999 By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Prescription Drugs Plan Must Help — Not Harm — Seniors Today’s seniors are living longer, healthier lives, thanks in part to modem medicines. Death rates from heart disease, cancer and stroke are going down. Further, hundreds of new medicines are now being developed to combat diseases related to the aging process, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and arthritis. With the promise prescription drugs hold for good health, it concerns me when I hear about senior citizens who cannot afford the medicine they need. Improving their access to prescription drugs is a high priority for me. It simply does not make sense to have a health care program for seniors which does not cover outpatient medicines. Fortunately, nearly two-thirds of U.S. seniors have some insurance coverage that helps pay for prescription drugs through Medigap plans, private employer plans, Medicare+Choice, or Medicaid and other state assistance programs. A third of our seniors do not, however, have insurance coverage to help pay for prescription drugs. I am particularly concerned about these vulnerable seniors. Congress must focus its efforts on helping them. Most seniors who already have drug coverage do not want a big government solution. I do not blame them. The catastrophic health care legislation former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski (D-IL)