HR 3767 – Proposed Changes to the Prescription Drug Act

Reported by Tom Dwyer of NARVRE

07/22/04

If you recall during the Medicare debate in 2003, NARVRE, the national AFL-CIO, the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) and other senior groups across the country opposed the passage of HR1/S.1, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.  This legislation became law because of the support of the Majority in Congress.  It was drafted behind closed doors and passed in the middle of the night.  There was no input from the minority in Congress in either the House or the Senate except for two Democratic senators who were assigned to the Conference Committee. 

       There is currently an alternative bill in the House of Representatives, HR 3767 to amend certain parts of the new legislation.   This legislation deserves our support.  You can voice your opinion and write a letter to your own Congressman. Click here for a sample letter.

       Here are some facts I think you all need to know.  Annual revenues of drug companies in 2003 were $210 billion.  Annual income of the average American senior were $14,251.

       Amount drug industry spent lobbying in 2003, $108.6 million.

       1.  Number of U.S. Senators - 100
       2.  Number of U.S. Representatives - 435
       3.  Number of drug industry lobbyist in 2003 – 824

       Amount Medicare beneficiaries spent on Rx Drugs in 2003 - $95 billion

       Drug profits projected under 2003 Medicare prescription drug law - $139 billion

       Source:  Alliance for Retired Americans

Revised: 07/25/04