December 12, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 199 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H10128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 URGING SUPPORT FOR PASSAGE OF ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS LOWER DRUG COSTS NOW 
                                  ACT

  (Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I am proud to be voting today for 
the passage of the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, a bill 
to lower healthcare costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug 
prices for certain high-cost drugs.
  I am even prouder that H.R. 3 will reinvest the savings from these 
drug negotiations into a transformational expansion of Medicare 
benefits, which includes routine vision, hearing, and dental care.
  I have fought for years to include these critical services in my 
Seniors Have Eyes, Ears, and Teeth Act because they will prevent 
healthcare costs and suffering due to senior accidents, falls, 
cognitive impairment, oral cancer, and increased chronic conditions.
  Most importantly, giving our older adults the gift of hearing, 
vision, and oral health would go a long way to helping them enjoy their 
golden years free from depression and social isolation.
  It is time to recognize total healthcare for our seniors must include 
adequate access to vision, hearing, and dental services.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 3.

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