When Medicare was created in 1965, prescription drugs did not play a significant role in the nation's health care. However, due to the great advances in pharmaceuticals in the past 35 years, prescription drugs now play a central role in the typical senior's health care. For example, drugs now routinely prescribed for seniors to regulate blood pressure, and lower cholesterol had not even been invented when Medicare began in 1965.
Seniors represent the portion of the population that is the most dependent on prescription drugs.
Millions more are at risk of losing coverage or have inadequate or expensive coverage. Prescription coverage is an absolute necessity for the millions of seniors who currently have to choose between food and medicine. That is why Democrats in Congress are continuing the fight for legislation to help seniors obtain the prescription drugs they need. Democrats have introduced two measures to force action on legislation to establish a Medicare prescription drug plan, and to end prescription drug price discrimination against seniors. I assure you that I will continue to work for affordable prescription drugs for all of America's seniors.