December 11, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 198 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H10032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





     SUPPORT SENIORS AND THOSE ON MEDICARE BY LOWERING THE COST OF 
                           PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

  (Mrs. AXNE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mrs. AXNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and call on Congress to support 
our seniors and those on Medicare by lowering the cost of prescription 
drugs.
  Seniors will get a 1.6 percent cost-of-living increase this year, yet 
the cost of prescription drugs is expected to go up 3.8 percent.
  How can older Americans on a fixed income afford this? The answer is 
they can't, and they need to act on this.
  I have spoken with Iowans who are rationing their medications or 
skipping meals just to cover the cost of the drugs they take.
  I heard from Joan in west Des Moines, who has an autoimmune disease, 
and her medication suddenly skyrocketed. If she doesn't take it, she 
will need a liver transplant, and she doesn't know how she is going to 
afford the medication.
  John in Madrid discovered his standard refill of insulin costs more 
than, literally, the price of gold.
  So something must change. Older Americans need Congress to act.
  That is why I am supporting H.R. 3 to protect our seniors. It means 
our older Americans won't be robbed of their retirement savings and 
they will live healthier lives.
  If you want to give seniors a healthier, happier, safer retirement, 
then I call on you to support this bill.

                          ____________________