Debbie Stabenow

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 15 minutes as in morning business.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, it is a great honor and privilege for me to be standing before the Senate to speak for the first time since becoming a Senator from the State of Michigan. I also am very humbled to be only the 40th Senator from our great State to ever serve in this institution. I am very proud of that. I wish to speak about an important health care issue today and reference the fact that I have been involved in health care issues for over 20 years, starting, in fact, with my public service and involvement in politics, having been involved in an effort in my community, in Lansing, MI, to save a nursing home. We brought citizens together from all across the community, spoke out, and were able to keep that nursing home open that had been slated for closure. It was that beginning that got me involved in the important issues of health care that affect our families. As we begin the 107th Congress, I think we have a great opportunity to get things done for the people we represent. We have a 50/50 Senate, a divided House, and one of the closest elections we have seen in our history. Now is the time for us to reach across the aisle to colleagues on the other side, to work together on behalf of the families all of us represent. I come to the floor today to talk about one of the most important issues confronting us as a Congress and one of the best ways for us to start the new year providing health care for the families we represent and that is the enactment of a strong Patients' Bill of Rights. I strongly believe that every one of our citizens, child to senior, has the right to quality, affordable health care. Whether we are talking about access to nursing homes and home health care or lowering the cost of prescription drugs for seniors and our families or a Patients' Bill of Rights, I am pleased to have been involved in those efforts, and will continue to be so, with my colleagues here in the Senate. In fact, health care is one of the top priorities because this is what I have heard from the people I represent in Michigan. I would like to share a story with you, Mr. President, about the Luker family and their daughter, Jessica, of Royal Oak, MI. The Lukers' experience is a compelling example of the need for a strong Patients' Bill of Rights. I want to point to a replica of a picture of Jessica that I have with me here today. Jessica was born in 1975 with a rare metabolic disorder that required vigilant medical care. In the spring of 1999, Jessica's condition had worsened and she was having an average of 60 seizures a month. Her doctor recommended surgery to prevent further seizures, and on May 12, 1999, she had this successful surgery. Her seizures were once again under control. Unfortunately, a week later, on May 17, Jessica's family received a letter saying her insurance had been changed retroactively. The insurance company refused to cover the surgery because the Lukers had not received preapproval. Jessica's mom, Tricia Luker, spent hours on the phone with the insurance company explaining the situation. They, in fact, did not find out about the change that had occurred May 1 until May 17. It was not possible for them to get preapproval for the surgery. After hours and hours on the phone, unfortunately, the Lukers were forced to pay for the surgery out of their own pocket. And they are still paying today in 2001. How could the Lukers know their insurance would change without receiving any advanced notice? How could the insurance company refuse to pay, using the bureaucracy to stand in the way of common sense? The insurance change meant more difficulties for the Lukers. Jessica's specialist, who had been treating her for 14 years, was not a part of the HMO and was not allowed to continue to serve her. Again, the Lukers were forced to deal with the insurance company, to try to find a new doctor, and Mr. And Mrs. Luker spent hours on the phone, page by page, name by name, going through, calling doctors, hearing: No, no, no, to serving and treating Jessica. Jessica's parents continued with her regular doctor and paid for the appointments out of their own pocket, while having insurance under an HMO. On September 10, 1999, Jessica passed away. In the final days of her life, Tricia Luker talks about the fact that she wanted to be on the front porch, blowing bubbles and reading books to Jessica, which she loved, but instead she was fighting the insurance company bureaucracy to get her the treatment from the doctor who had been with her for 14 years. Today, Tricia Luker's daughter Jessica is gone, but they are still paying the bills from the insurance company that refused to cover the treatment that Jessica needed. Jessica's tragic story demonstrates why we need a strong Patients' Bill of Rights, a bill that will help patients like Jessica who have complicated medical problems with access to specialists. The bill would make insurance companies accountable for their decisions. It would afford the Lukers the opportunity to appeal what on its face seems unreasonable and lacking in common sense. Throughout my campaign for the Senate, I shared Jessica's story with the people of Michigan. I pledged to bring a picture with me to the Senate and to keep my promise to Jessica's family, and to all of the families of Michigan, to do everything I can to pass a Patients' Bill of Rights. Today I am taking my fight for Jessica to the Senate floor, and I hold great hope that this Congress, that this Senate, will do what others have failed to do--pass a strong Patients' Bill of Rights. A small version of this picture of Jessica sits on my desk in my Senate office. It will remain there with me until, in fact, we pass a Patients' Bill of Rights. No family should ever have to go through what Calvin and Tricia Luker went through, trying to get their daughter care. In the memory of Jessica, I call on my Senate colleagues to make passing a strong Patients' Bill of Rights one of our top priorities. I am very proud today to join with my colleagues, with our leader, Senator Daschle, to cosponsor the Patients' Bill of Rights and, in fact, this is the first bill that I am cosponsoring as a new United States Senator. The bill today is the same legislation commonly known as the Dingell- Norwood bill that was passed overwhelmingly in a bipartisan way in the House of Representatives. I was proud to be a cosponsor in my service in the House of Representatives last session, and I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill in the 107th Congress. The legislation provides basic rights for patients to ensure access to care. Again, these are basic rights so that, regardless of your insurance, you know what the basic protections are for your family: Guaranteed access to emergency room care at the nearest facility; direct access for women to OB/GYN care; direct access to pediatricians; a guaranteed option for patients to select doctors outside of their plan, if necessary; coverage for clinical trials; access to medically necessary prescription drugs; and the right to an independent appeal for any denied claim. Most importantly, this legislation will hold insurance companies accountable for decisions they make regarding patient care, and this is the most critical point. I have spoken with families throughout Michigan and received countless letters, e-mails, and phone calls from people pleading with us to help them and to pass this bill. Jessica's is just one of the many tragic stories I have heard. I want to mention just a couple of other names of people with whom I have worked in the State of Michigan who have been struggling with their families to get the care they have paid for and they deserve. Ardath and Frank Reagan of Holly, MI. Mr. Reagan became paralyzed from the waist down from a rare disease. His insurance company refused to pay for his surgery, saying he was not a good candidate. They told Ardath to put her husband in a nursing home. The insurance company's foot dragging forced her husband to wait before starting treatment and severely aggravated the situation. Today, fortunately, Mr. Reagan is making a full recovery after intense work on his behalf by his family. Michael Pesendorfer from the Metro Detroit area--Michael's mother died of cancer. He has joined me on a number of occasions as well to speak out for a Patients' Bill of Rights. The insurance company delayed approval for treatment. They finally did get the approval for the procedure, but it was too late, and she died shortly after. Susan and Sam Yamen from Birmingham, MI--I read their story on the floor of the House of Representatives last year--are an example of why we need the commonsense policy of saying you go to the nearest emergency room in a medical emergency. Sam cut his leg with a chain saw from a business he operated. He had a severe leg injury and went to the nearest emergency room. The doctors were ready to operate to save his leg. They called the HMO, which said: Stop, you are in the wrong emergency room. They would not approve the surgery. The doctors said it was critical that it be done immediately to save the nerve endings in his leg. They would not approve the surgery in this emergency room and he, unfortunately, had to be placed into an ambulance and taken across town to another emergency room where he sat for 9 hours before he could get any care and did not receive the surgery he needed. In fact, Mr. Yamen has lost his tree trimming business and much of the nerve endings and feeling in his leg. His family has been in great economic struggle as a result of this. What these stories tell me is that patients enrolled in an HMO need basic protections and guarantees of adequate coverage. Our families are paying for the insurance. They need to get the care, and they need to know it is going to be there in an emergency. I believe a strong Patients' Bill of Rights provides those protections and guarantees for coverage. Certainly, Jessica and her family and the families I mentioned and all of the others I talked to all across Michigan have stories that need to be addressed because they are not just stories; they are reality for too many people. I am committed to reaching across the aisle to work with our colleagues to pass this critical health care legislation. I know that in order to keep my promise to Jessica's family, we have to get to work and we have to work together. I am ready to work with everyone who shares my goals and the goals and the needs of the families whom I represent. I look forward to working on the legislation that has been introduced today and the opportunity for us to show clearly that we intend to work together for the people of our country by passing a strong Patients' Bill of Rights as quickly as possible. Mr. President, I yield back the remainder of my time.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, beginning on April 12, for the 21 weeks that the House has been in session, I have read 22 letters from MI seniors who desperately need help with their high prescription drug costs. In that time, I have been pushing consistently for prescription drug coverage under Medicare. Our time is nearly up, and we still have not passed this important legislation. Looking back through the 22 letters that I have read on the House floor, I am reminded of why it is so important to modernize Medicare and provide prescription drug coverage for seniors. I would like to share excerpts from these letters to remind my colleagues why we must enact a Medicare prescription drug benefit. From Mary Hudson of Fenton: ``Last summer, I went to a doctor . . . and was given a prescription costing $44--which I got filled. But the other was $90--which I would not [fill]. Who can afford these prices and pay other bills too?'' From Ethel Corn of Marquette: ``Here is our prescription bill for what we can afford--and you can see I don't get all of mine.'' Jackie Billion of Lansing: ``Quite often I have to decide whether I get some of my prescriptions or eat. I hope and pray that seniors will receive prescription coverage.'' From Louise Jarnac of Cheboygan: ``The last time I got my prescription it was $99.99 . . . this time it was $103.49. Most of the time I can't afford it and go without until I can get it again.''

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my intention to vote for this agreement, despite a significant shortcoming. I will support it because this legislation contains important funding for embassy security, counterterrorism activities, gun law enforcement, additional border patrol agents, and the COPS Program. I am the author of legislation to reauthorize the COPS Program, and the conference report provides $1 billion for the program in Fiscal Year 2001, a $437 million increase over last year. Included in this funding is an additional $75 million for gun crimes prosecutions in high violence areas, as well as $140 million for a new COPS technology initiative. However, I do have serious concerns about provisions in this package that could weaken protections regarding the sale of Social Security numbers over the Internet. I am the cosponsor of bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4857, the Privacy and Identity Protection Act of 2000, that addresses the fraudulent misuse of Social Security numbers. This type of corrective language is what should be a part of this package. President Clinton has threatened to veto this legislation because of this deficiency, and if he follows through on that action, we should take that opportunity to strike these provisions from the conference report.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, beginning on April 12, for the 20 weeks that the House has been in session, I have read 22 letters from MI seniors who desperately need help with their high prescription drug costs. In that time, I have been pushing consistently for prescription drug coverage under Medicare. Our time is nearly up, and we still have not passed this important legislation. Looking back through the 22 letters that I have read on the House floor, I am reminded of why it is so important to modernize Medicare and provide prescription drug coverage for seniors. From Shirley and Raymond Radcliff, Escanaba: ``We are a couple on a fixed income and cannot afford these drugs that continue to escalate. Our income cannot keep up with it. Fifteen pills of [one medication] are $41.99. I cannot afford that and discontinued taking them . . . A two month supply of [another medication] is $82.53. I no longer take those either, because I cannot afford them.'' From Concetta Lisuzzo, Dearborn: ``If you can bring these prices [down] I will be very grateful to you. It seems like a visit to the doctor adds one more prescription. Please help us, so we won't have to make choices between food or prescriptions.'' From Annabelle Lewis, Alma: ``I stopped taking [my medication] in January 1999, having cut pills in half.'' From Julia Kanopsky, Livonia: ``I just wish the government would take an interest in problems like this. To curb high prices, I eat two meals a day, and any more hike in health cost, I'll have to go on one meal.'' From Dolores Graycheck, Indian River: ``Each month we get deeper in debt and soon we, like a lot of other people, won't have anything left . . . I think it's a shame that our supposed Golden Years aren't Golden after all.'' From Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Crook, Hillsdale: ``We can't go [anywhere] or do anything because it takes all our income for the cost to live. Some weeks, I wonder how long we can go on. It keeps going up in cost and we cannot live.'' From Harriett Simmons, Detroit: ``We are senior citizens today but yesterday we were active, taxpaying citizens. Don't mistreat us now. We need protection.''

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, for the past six months, I have been reading letters on the floor of the House of Representatives from senior citizens from all over the State of Michigan. These seniors have shared their stories with me about the high cost of prescription drugs. They all have one thing in common: these seniors rely solely on Medicare for their health insurance, so they do not have any prescription drug benefit. They must pay for their prescription drugs themselves, and with the high prices, they often are forced to make the decision between buying the prescription drugs they need or buying food or heating their homes. We must enact a voluntary, Medicare prescription drug benefit that will provide real help for these seniors. This week, I will read a letter from a senior in Lansing, MI, who asked that she remain anonymous. Text of the letter It seems every time I see a doctor, I am given a new prescription. I now take six a day. They cost close to $200 a month. I also take six non-prescription drugs a day. We really need some help. It is very hard for a retired senior on a fixed income. I sometimes skip a pill to make them last a little longer. In these economic good times, it is a national tragedy that seniors are putting their health at risk and skipping the medications they need because they cannot afford them. The 106th Congress will soon adjourn. Our days to enact prescription drug reform are numbered. I support the Democratic plan that will provide a voluntary, real Medicare prescription drug benefit.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the mission and accomplishments of the coalition on Domestic Violence on the occasion of their benefit banquet which is being held today at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center in Dearborn, Michigan. The Coalition on Domestic Violence was formed in 1997 to provide cultural-sensitive services to the community served by the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS). Recognizing that domestic violence impacts the very fabric of daily life by impairing the education of children, reducing productivity in the workplace, and denying freedom and security to victims and non-victims alike, ACCESS feels strongly that there needs to be a coordinated community approach to stop the violence. Many organizations including law enforcement, healthcare and educational institutions have pulled together to raise awareness about the problem and develop culturally relevant education programs. It is certainly appropriate that the Coalition on Domestic Violence chose October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, to host their banquet which is entitled ``Facing Domestic Violence: A Community Stands Together.'' They are featuring presentations by two very well- known women with important and unique perspectives on this issue. Camelia Anwar Sadat, the daughter of the late Egyptian President and Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Anwar Sadat and his first wife, Ekbal, will share her valuable insights as a survivor of domestic violence. Denise Brown, sister of Nicole Brown Simpson, has committed herself to improving the lives of women and children by speaking out on the issue of domestic violence. It is exciting that they will be in Michigan to share their stories. Domestic violence cuts across ethnic lines, socioeconomic classes and religious backgrounds which makes it essential that we all work together to prevent it from causing more suffering. The Coalition on Domestic Violence is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished through a coordinated effort. I commend them for their excellent work and hope that they have a successful and educational banquet.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, for the past six months, I have been reading letters on the floor of the House of Representatives from senior citizens from all over the state of Michigan. These seniors have shared their stories with me about the high cost of prescription drugs. They all have one thing in common: these seniors rely solely on Medicare for their health insurance, so they do not have any prescription drug benefit. They must pay for their prescription drugs themselves, and with the high prices, they often are forced to make decision between buying the prescription drugs they need or buying food or heating their homes. We must enact a voluntary, Medicare prescription drug benefit that will provide real help for these seniors. This week, I will read a letter from Mary Hudson from Fenton, Michigan. I understand that Mary currently does not fill most of her prescriptions because she cannot afford them. Sometimes, her son buys her medication for her and sometimes she goes without. If Mary did purchase all of the prescription medication she needs, her bills would be approximately $1715.40 per year. I will now read Mary's letter. ``Dear Debbie, Last summer, I went to a doctor with bladder problems and high cholesterol and was given prescriptions cost $44--which I got filled--but the other was $90-- which I would not. Who can afford those prices and pay other bills too? Thanks for your interest in seniors, Debbie, and for anything you can do to help us. Love, Mary.'' Mary deserves a genuine Medicare prescription drug benefit. Time is running out to do something in this Congress. We must enact real prescription drug reform before we adjourn.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, on April 12, I led an hour of debate of prescription drug coverage for senior citizens. I read three letters from around the state from seniors who shared their personal stories. On the 12th, I made a commitment to continue to read a different letter every week until the House enacts reform. That was six months ago. Although the House passed a prescription drug bill this summer, I believe it will not help most seniors. So, I will continue to read letters until Congress enacts a real Medicare prescription drug benefit. This week, I will read a letter from Harriet Simmons of Detroit, Michigan. Text of the letter: Dear Congresswoman Stabenow: I am writing to express my concern over the escalating cost of prescription drugs for seniors. As a senior myself, I must take the medicines prescribed by my doctor to maintain my health. The cost of these drugs can rise from month to month. Sometimes, I have had to purchase half of my medicine or take less so it will last longer. The Michigan Emergency Pharmaceutical Program for Seniors provides temporary help for 3 months out of the year if you qualify. But, what are we to do the remaining 9 months? Many seniors are too young or just above the income guidelines to qualify. We need help in obtaining our prescriptions for the above cited reasons. I support your efforts to lower the cost of drugs for seniors. I would like to add: We are senior citizens today but yesterday we were active, tax paying citizens. Don't mistreat us now. We need protection. Sincerely, Harriett Simmons. Harriet deserves a genuine Medicare prescription drug benefit. Time is running out to do something in this Congress. We must enact real prescription drug reform before we adjourn.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the Youth Urban Agenda/ Civic Literacy Project of Wayne State University. As a result of their efforts to encourage youth participation in the political process, the month of October 2000 is being recognized as Youth Civic Literacy Month in Wayne County Michigan. The Youth Urban Agenda/Civic Literacy Project started at Wayne State University in 1986 in an effort to promote programs to teach students about civic responsibility and provide them with the tools they need to build a real political agenda. This month the Project will convene an international telecommunications event entitled ``A Youth Urban Agenda in the New Millennium.'' The event will be held in Detroit, Michigan with the participation of students and teachers from one hundred twenty middle schools, high schools, adult education programs and post-secondary institutions in Southeast Michigan. They will be linked with teachers and students from major U.S. and non-U.S. cities. In an era when so many people have become disillusioned with the political process and have stopped participating, it is vitally important that we energize our young people to become involved. It is my pleasure to acknowledge and commend Wayne State University and the Youth Urban Agenda/Civil Literacy Project for it's leadership and vision in preparing young people to fully participate in the political process.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise once again to focus attention on the topic of prescription drugs. The topic of affordable prescription drugs for seniors is a critical one for families in Michigan and across the nation. Last summer I set up a hot line in Michigan asking those who had stories to tell to call and share them with me, and also for individuals to write me letters and send me copies of their prescription drug bills. I have received hundreds from across the state, and I have heard heartbreaking stories from seniors about their struggles--about having to choose between putting food on the table and paying the utility bill or being able to get their medications. Because this is such a pervasive problem, it is critical that we pass prescription drug coverage under Medicare, that modernizes the Medicare program to cover the way health care is provided today. On April 12 of this year, I led an hour of debate on the topic of prescription drug coverage for senior citizens, I read three letters from around the state from seniors who shared their personal stories. At that time, I made a commitment to continue to read a different letter every week until the House enacts reform. This week I will read a letter form Paul and Lois Van Valkenburgh of Buckley, Michigan: Dear Congresswoman Stabenow: You say three out of four Americans do not have adequate prescription drug coverage. My wife and I have no prescription drug coverage; how is that for not having adequate coverage? We have never found prescription drug insurance we could afford. Attached to this letter are copies of our prescription drug bills. They cost us over $2,200 per year, which we really cannot afford. If we had prescription drug coverage like people [who are not retired] (and make much more money than we), then we could afford to pay the premium on insurance coverage for prescription drugs. But the premium has got to be affordable and the deductible reasonable. . . . Anything you can do to either lower the prices or get retired people a prescription drug insurance that's affordable will be appreciated. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to talk to someone about this awful situation. Sincerely yours, Paul and Lois Van Valkenburgh. The Van Valkenburghs have a combined income of $13,500 a year. Under the Democratic prescription drug plan which I have cosponsored they would be entitled to significant help with their drug costs. I would like to thank the Van Valkenburghs for sharing their story, and on their behalf and the others that need this assistance, I will continue to work to pass an affordable, voluntary prescription drug benefit for all of our seniors during the 106th Congress.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, on April 12, I led an hour of debate on the topic of prescription drug coverage for senior citizens. I read three letters from around the state from seniors who shared their personal stories. On the 12th, I made a commitment to continue to read a different letter every week until the House enacts reform. That was five months ago. Although the House passed a prescription drug bill this summer, I believe it will not help most seniors. So, I will continue to submit letters until Congress enacts a real Medicare prescription drug benefit. This week, I will submit a letter from Virginia Langell of Chippewa Lake, Michigan. At most, there are only three weeks left for Congress to enact a meaningful prescription drug benefit. It is critical that we do so before Congress adjourns. This week, Newsweek magazine has devoted its cover story to the issue of prescription drugs. It is the same story that I have been sharing on the House floor since April. Seniors are paying too much for their prescription drugs. According to Newsweek, the cost of prescription drugs is rising at an alarming rate, at least twice as fast as the rate of inflation. As a result of these increases, pharmaceutical companies are the most profitable in the nation, with an 18.6 percent profit margin in 1999. The issue of Newsweek also clarifies that the most visible and loudest opponent of creating a Medical prescription drug benefit, the ``Citizens for Better Medicare,'' a so-called grass-roots organization, is funded primarily by the pharmaceutical industry. In fact, the industry has spent an estimated $65 million on television advertising to persuade senior citizens that a prescription drug benefit is not in their best interest. Well, I disagree. I have met with too many seniors, read too many letters, visited with too many families in Michigan who are struggling to buy the prescriptions they need. Too many are forced to make a decision between their prescription medication or buying food or heating their homes. We cannot and should not wait one more day. Congress must enact a voluntary, defined Medicare prescription drug benefit plan. Following is a letter from Virginia Langell. Dear Congresswoman Debbie Stabenow: here are my receipts for 1998. Also, I would like to have you take a look at these two drugs that jumped up in the past few months: Furosemide: [from] $7.59 [to] $8.79--a jump of $1.20 Adalat: [from] $73.99 [to] $82.99--a jump of $9.00 The prices are ridiculous. It's about time something is done for the seniors. I live on Social Security. I get $735.00 a month. I have 5 prescriptions filled every month, also eye drop prescriptions every two or three months. It costs me $135.00 to $150.00 every month just for drug prescriptions. I would like to see the law makers in Washington live on this kind of income. I have no co-pay for drug prescriptions and also there are the ``over-the- counter[s]'' like aspirin, Ben Gay, etc. I hope you can fight for us and see what can be done. Yours truly, Virginia Langell. Assuming that Ms. Langell pays $135/mo for her medication, she pays a total of $1,620.00 per year. Under the Democratic plan, she would save: $611.25. Under the Republican plan, she would only save: $385.00. In other words, Virginia would save more with the Democratic plan: $226.25. That is the difference between eating two or three meals a day. That is the cost of heating a small home during the coldest winter months. That is the difference between being able to fill your car with gasoline for trips to and from the doctor's office. It is clear that we must enact a real prescription drug plan now.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the men of C Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division for the combat action they valiantly fought on April 5, 1947, near the village of HsinHo in North China. Mr. Speaker, not many Americans remember that we sent the Marines into China in the aftermath of World War II to disarm the Japanese forces there, protect them from reprisals, relieve them from their garrisons and to ensure that the large quantity of Japanese weapons cached there did not fall into communist hands. C Company was literally on the front line of this effort. The Company was attacked during the early morning of April 5th by a group of Chairman Mao's fighters who were intent on capturing the weapons cached at HsinHo and overrunning the Marines there. With a force estimated at over 300 men, the communists hit upon a lightly guarded outpost with a defense system designed to fight off an attack until reinforcements arrived. Under heavy fire, these Marines pursued this group of communist raiders for over eight miles. As the Commandant of the Marine Corps declared in 1998, the actions of C Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment were indeed ``gallant deeds of brave Marines . . . and a shining example of honor and commitment.'' When the dust had settled on that little hamlet in north China, America had lost five Marines killed in action and suffered 18 wounded. Mr. Chairman, a grateful nation will remember our Marines in World War II. We need to remember and honor those who fought and died for this country. The survivors of C Company have for years attempted to get official recognition for their Company in addition to the China Service Medal, Purple Hearts and Bronze and Silver Star medals awarded individually to members of C Company. I think this recognition is long overdue. I rise today to declare that the C-1-5 China Marines are to be commended as a unit for their actions of April 5th, 1947.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, on April 12, I led an hour of debate on the topic of prescription drug coverage for senior citizens. I read three letters from around the state from seniors who shared their personal stories. On the 12th, I made a commitment to continue to read a different letter every week until the House enacts reform. That was five months ago. Although the House passed a prescription drug bill this summer, I believe it will not help most seniors. So, I will continue to read letters until Congress enacts a real Medicare prescription drug benefit. This week, I will read a letter from Shirley Radcliff of Gladstone, Michigan. Together, Shirley and her husband spend $1,042.36 for their prescription drugs. With the Democratic prescription drug plan, they would save $286.32. Under the Republican plan, their costs would remain the same. In other words, the Republican plan would not help them. Before I read Shirley's letter, let me share some information with my colleagues. In July, the Kaiser Family Foundation released a Prescription Drug Trends Chart Book that contains important findings. In 1996, a third of the Medicare population had no drug coverage. This means that one third of those beneficiaries had there access to the prescription drugs they needed limited by their income. Prices are rising and it is becoming increasingly more difficult for senior to pay for their medications out of their own pockets. In the past 5 years, the increase in prescription drug expenditures have been 2 to 4 times the percent changes in expenditure for most other health care services. National spending for prescription drugs totaled $91 billion in 1998, more than double the amount spent in 1990. Prescription drug utilization is the fastest growing component of health care, increasing at double digit rates nearly every year since 1985. It is critical that Medicare be modernized to include coverage for this important component. I strongly support the Democratic proposal that creates a voluntary, defined benefit. Text of letter: ``Enclosed is a copy of the drugs taken and their prices that my husband and I have taken in 1999 (and are still taking in 2000). ``We are a couple on a fixed income and cannot afford these drugs that continue to escalate. Our income cannot keep up with it. ``Take note: the middle of the first page: 15 pills of Paxil are $41.99. I cannot afford that and discontinued taking them because of it. ``And, at the top of page three, a two-month supply of Daypro is $82.53. I no longer take these either, because I cannot afford them. ``Something has to be done! At your level! Someday you will be in my shoes. Pray that you are well and do not need prescription drugs. Sincerely, Shirley M. Radcliff.''

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, today I pay special tribute to Deputy Chief Charles L. Bidwell for his 50 years of outstanding service to the Brighton Area Fire Department. His colleagues and friends will be hosting a dinner on September 19 in recognition of his wonderful career. Deputy Chief Bidwell has been an active, on-call firefighter with the City of Brighton Fire Department and the merged Brighton Area Fire Department since September 14, 1950. He retired from General Motors Proving Grounds in Milford, Michigan and served as Deputy Chief since 1988. Deputy Chief Bidwell was recognized by the City of Brighton Fire Department as Firefighter of the Year in 1987 and most recently, by the Michigan State Firemen's Association, as Firefighter of the Year for 2000. Mr. Speaker, the Brighton area is very fortunate to have benefitted from the leadership, dedication, sacrifice and hard work of Deputy Chief Bidwell throughout his 50 years of service. As the leader in alarm response for the past decade, he has certainly contributed significantly to the safety and well-being of the citizens he has served. It is my honor, and indeed great pleasure, to stand in recognition of a man who has given so selflessly of his time and energy. On behalf of the 8th district of Michigan, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for Deputy Chief Bidwell's many immeasurable contributions.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Stepfamily Day, which is promoted by the Stepfamily Association of America (SAA) as a day to recognize and celebrate the importance of stepfamilies throughout our nation. On the 16th of September, stepfamilies will be coming together in Michigan and many other states to commemorate their special bonds. Due to the efforts of Michigan's Christy Borgeld, Stepfamily Day founder and board member of the SAA, Stepfamily Day picnics will be held in Michigan and throughout the nation. Mr. Speaker, this event is but one example of the strides this organization has made in its dedication to the acceptance, support and success of stepfamily living. As it was so aptly put by Christy and the SAA: Our nation has been blessed by thousands of loving stepparents and stepchildren who are daily reminders of the joys, trials and triumphs of the family experience and of the boundless love contained in the bond between parents and children. It is my pleasure to pay tribute to the SAA for its commitment and hard work on behalf of American families, and to wish families in Michigan and nationwide a happy and successful Stepfamily Day.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the lifetime achievements of Mr. Jerry Raymond who passed away in January, 2000 and offer my sincere condolences to his family. Jerry Raymond was a remarkable man whose many contributions to Wayne County, the labor movement and the City of Livonia will be long remembered. He was a 49 year resident of Livonia and served on the City Council from 1966 to 1980. Always cognizant of the needs of others, his favorite saying was ``People come first.'' He advocated for housing for seniors before it was the popular thing to do. His sensitivity to others is undoubtedly why he was re-elected to office so many times. There are many other fascinating things that are important to know about this special man. He quit high school after his mother died and his father lost his job. As he moved around the country looking for a job, he started getting involved in strikes and joined the cause of working men and women. He became a union activist and his leadership in the labor movement brought him national recognition. Despite his many achievements, Jerry felt something was missing as he watched other family members pursue a higher education. Although he did not have a high school diploma, he enrolled in law school. He graduated Cum Laude and was honored by being elected President of his class. He opened a law practice called Jerry Raymond and Associates in Livonia and practiced law until shortly before his death. Jerry was a special friend, role-model and mentor to many including myself. He was very involved in his community and in democratic politics. He is missed by everyone whose life he touched, but his spirit lives on in our memories and in the legacy he left behind.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening as I have done on many, many occasions to talk about the most important quality-of-life issue for seniors in my State and around the country, and that is the issue of prescription drugs and the high costs that they are having to pay. Not only do we know that seniors who have no insurance are paying twice as much as others when they go to the drug store and get their medications, but we have a health care system that has been in place now for 35 years, a very successful health care system called Medicare that simply needs to be modernized to cover prescription drugs so that our seniors can continue to get the promise of health care that we made to them 35 years ago. I have been asking people in my district and around the State of Michigan to write letters that I will share on the floor of the House of Representatives. Once again this evening, I wish to do that, to read a letter from Annabelle Lewis from Hillsdale, Michigan, who writes about her own struggles to pay for her prescriptions. She says: I stopped taking the Provachol 20 milligrams for high cholesterol in January 1999, having previously cut pills in half. In December 1999, a year later, my cholesterol was 339. Having received some free samples, my cholesterol came down to 198. Presently this medication is $122.99 per month, not including $30.58 for Estrogen replacement. Medicare part B deductible this month has reduced my Social Security to $505. This covers house expenses with little left over. Having this medication available certainly would be less expensive than a nursing home should I have a stroke. I am able to continue working as a nurse but I find it very difficult due to my depressed state. I hope this information is useful and you will be blessed in your efforts. Sincerely, thank you, Annabelle Lewis. Under the plan that I am supporting for Medicare coverage, a voluntary, optional, comprehensive Medicare benefit we would add to Medicare, Annabelle Lewis would be saving $438, important dollars, the difference between eating breakfast, lunch or dinner, paying the utility bill, having the quality of life that I am sure as a nurse she has worked hard all these years to acquire and now finds herself having to struggle with issues of cholesterol, whether or not she will be healthy or have a stroke. Seniors in our country deserve better. I know right now with all the confusion and all the numbers and all the private plans and proposals that are out there, the real bottom line that all of this is about is the fact that the prescription drug companies do not want the 39 million seniors of this country to be organized under Medicare and have the clout to get a reduced price, just like anybody else in any other insurance plan. Coming together they would have the combined clout to get a group discount of great magnitude. That is the real fight about Medicare. That is the fight we are in right now. Do we just simply modernize Medicare, or do we set up some complicated system with insurance companies that say they do not want to cover prescription drugs? And they do not intend to cover prescription drugs, saying instead it is a hollow promise to go that direction. I would urge, Mr. Speaker, that this House come together and recognize and celebrate Medicare, which is a 35-year success story for our country, 35 years of health care for seniors, for the disabled in this country, that only does not work now because we do not cover the new way that health care has provided today, which is simply prescription drugs. If we simply modernize Medicare, we will be able to continue to keep the promise. It seems to me in these great economic times, we have two important challenges: we need to pay our bills and we need to keep our promises. The promise of Medicare is something that our seniors are counting on. We need to pass a comprehensive, voluntary prescription drug plan now.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the lifetime achievements of Mr. Jerry Raymond who passed away in January 1999 and offer my sincere condolences to his family. Jerry Raymond was a remarkable man whose many contributions to Wayne county, the labor movement and the City of Livonia will be long remembered. He was a 49 year resident of Livonia and served on the City Council from 1966 to 1980. Always cognizant of the needs of others, his favorite saying was ``People come first.'' He advocated for housing for seniors before it was the popular thing to do. His sensitivity to others is undoubtedly why he was re-elected to office so many times. There are many other fascinating things that are important to know about this special man. He quit high school after his mother died and his father lost his job. As he moved around the country looking for a job, he started getting involved in strikes and joined the cause of working men and women. He became a union activist and his leadership in the labor movement brought him national recognition. Despite his many achievements, Jerry felt something was missing as he watched other family members pursue a higher education. Although he did not have a high school diploma, he enrolled in law school. He graduated Cum Laude and was honored by being elected President of his class. He opened a law practice called Jerry Raymond and Associates in Livonia and practiced law until shortly before his death. Jerry was a special friend, role-model and mentor to many including myself. He was very involved in his community and in democratic politics. He is missed by everyone whose life he touched, but his spirit lives on in our memories and in the legacy he left behind.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to rise today and have an opportunity to speak about an issue that I have come to the floor very frequently to speak about for many, many months now. I am asking my colleagues to make sure that we place prescription drug coverage for seniors under Medicare as a top priority for us before we leave session this year. Time is running out. We have the best economy in a generation. We have budget surpluses that we are deciding how to use and how to invest. I cannot think of a more important issue than investing in the future health and well-being of older Americans and families all across the United States. I have been coming to the floor of the House on a regular basis to speak out and to share stories of constituents of mine, family members, older Americans who have been calling me and writing me. I set up a hotline back in August of last year and have set up something called the Prescription Drug Fairness Campaign, whereby I have been asking people to share with me their stories, what is really happening in their lives as it relates to the issue of their medications and the high costs of prescription drugs. I have been overwhelmed with the letters and the phone calls that we have received. I want one more time to be reading a letter this evening on the floor of this House from one of my constituents in Michigan. This is a letter from Mr. James Schlieger from Flint, Michigan. He writes to me: ``My wife Joan has Alzheimer's Disease. In 1999, my out-of-pocket payment for preparations was $3,020.43. Our other medical expenses were $3,909.79. Our Social Security income is $20,252. This leaves us little over $13,000 to pay our property taxes, utility bills, food, and gasoline and all of our other expenses. Bottom line, there is nothing left to enjoy the Golden Years. With my wife's condition, in a few years, we will have depleted our savings, then we will have to become dependent on government care. Please help us. James Schlieger from Flint, Michigan.'' I think we need to help Mr. Schlieger. We need to make sure that our seniors are not using all of their savings to pay for the cost of the health care that they are supposed to be receiving under Medicare. This Sunday is the 35th anniversary of the day that the Medicare legislation was signed. At the time it was set up, it covered the way health care was provided. The promise was there that, once an American reached the age of 65 or was disabled, they knew that there would be health care available to them. The difficulties that we have now is that health care has changed. The way we treat people has changed. Instead of it being in the hospital and with operations and inpatient prescription drugs, we are now in a situation where the majority of care is outpatient, is home health care. It almost always involves prescription drugs. So Medicare simply needs to be modernized to cover the way health care is provided today. There are others who are talking about privatizing. There are others talking about other kinds of approaches. I would urge my colleagues to simply look at a system that the seniors of our country know and trust. It has worked. It just needs to be updated. If we cannot do that now with the best economy in a generation, with budget surpluses and the ability to take a small percentage and invest that back into Medicare to lower the cost of prescription drugs, I do not believe we ever will. So I call on my colleagues one more time. Let us not let one more senior sit down at breakfast in the morning and decide, do I eat today or do I pay for my medications? That is a choice that older Americans should not have to make. I am going to do everything in my power to fight on behalf of the seniors of Michigan, to make sure that we modernize Medicare for prescription drugs.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to declare my intention to vote against the Treasury-Postal Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2001. I will do so despite supporting the funding levels for gun crime enforcement in the bill. However, I have consistently voted against cost of living increases (COLAs) for Members of Congress and will do so again today. All of us spend a great deal of time working on issues of particular importance to senior citizens. I am especially active on the topic of providing affordable prescription medicines to the elderly, and am committed to protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare. In recent years, despite the thriving U.S. economy, the COLA that seniors receive for their Social Security benefits has been too small, as low as 1.3 percent. By comparison, we are preparing to give ourselves a 2.7 percent increase, and I do not think this is appropriate on fair, especially in light of the enormous budget surpluses that are projected over the next decade. Let us take care of our seniors before we take care of ourselves. Mr. Chairman, I have no further speakers on this side.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening as I have on too many occasions to speak out about the issue of Medicare coverage for prescription drugs. I say too many because the time is up for this Congress to act and to modernize Medicare to cover the way health care is provided today. We have the most wonderful health care system in the world. I know a gentleman who takes a pill once a month instead of having open heart surgery. The pill costs $400. Medicare will cover the surgery. Medicare will not cover the pill. We have got to change and modernize Medicare so that our seniors are not left in the situation of getting up in the morning and saying do I eat today, do I get my breakfast, or do I get my medicine? Too many seniors in this country find themselves in that situation. I have been conducting a prescription drug fairness campaign in Michigan now for a year. I set up a hotline, have asked seniors to write, to call, to share with me their situations so we can put names and faces on this problem and encourage, plead and beg with this Congress to act now. I would like today to once again read a letter. This one is from my hometown of Lansing. Jackie Billion wrote to me, and I would like to share with you this letter: ``Dear Debbie: ``I live alone in a subsidized ground floor apartment. I'm 70 years old and have osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fymalogy. I also have macular degeneration. I'm legally blind in the left eye. Last week, I spent 2 days at Beaumont Hospital. ``I receive $645 a month and quite often I have to decide whether to get some of my prescriptions or eat. I hope and pray that seniors will receive prescription drug coverage soon. ``Thank you, Jackie Billion.'' I thank Jackie for sharing these comments with me and for speaking out on behalf of literally millions of seniors that have the same situation that she has today. This Congress has the opportunity with the best economy in a generation to fix this if we have the political will to do it. If we are willing to stand up to those who are fighting us, who are not understanding or caring about what is happening to Jackie Billion, we can fix this and modernize Medicare for our seniors and for those who will be the next generation of seniors. I would call on the Congress again to take this opportunity, the best economy in a generation, budget surpluses that we have not seen in my lifetime, and place a priority on modernizing Medicare to cover costs of prescription drugs so that seniors like Jackie Billion will not have to worry about choosing between their meals and their medicine.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be withdrawn as a cosponsor from H.R. 1660 and H.R. 1760.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as I have on numerous occasions, to speak out about the high cost of prescription drugs for families all across America, and particularly for older Americans who are regularly using the largest number of medications on a daily basis. I have for over a year now been leading an effort in Michigan when speaking with seniors, getting letters from them, have set up a hotline for people to call and share their concerns and stories about the high cost of their medication. As a result of that effort over the past year, I have come to this floor sharing stories and reading letters from my constituents urging that we pass a comprehensive Medicare benefit for prescription drugs, one that is voluntary, one that is within Medicare, and will help our seniors pay for the costs of their medications. Once again, today I rise to read a letter. I would like to read a letter that says, ``Dear Debbie, I don't call this fair for an elder citizen on fixed income to pay $2,100 a year to just stay alive. I need my heart patches every day to make my ticker keep going, my inhaler so I can breath, and pain medication to help me with the daily pain of my bones. Thank you for listening to me. Sincerely, Beatrice J. Homan.'' Mrs. Homan has also reported to me that she often does not buy her medications because she cannot afford them. I have now twice taken busloads of seniors from Michigan across the bridge to Canada to demonstrate the dramatic differences in costs between our country and Canada. I would like to share with the Members, because we just took a trip a week ago, how we could make a dramatic difference for Beatrice Homan and the seniors of Michigan if we were to first allow prescriptions to be purchased by our pharmacists at a lower price in Canada, if in fact that is available, and secondly, if we were to lower the costs of prescription drugs in our country and provide a Medicare benefit for our seniors so that they can have real health care coverage. We have Medicare that has been set up since 1965, but it does not cover the way health care is provided today. Under Medicare, we could go in the hospital and have an operation. We could get the prescriptions in the hospital. But most seniors and most of us are going to outpatient clinics, getting home health care, needing our prescriptions on an outpatient basis. That is what Medicare does not cover. It is outdated. It needs to be fixed. With the greatest economy we have had in over a generation, we can do it if we have the political will to make it happen. I have had the opportunity to take our seniors from Michigan to Canada, and let me give an example of the differences in the costs. Barbara Morgan normally pays $273 a month for her medications, and just crossing the bridge, 5 minutes across the bridge, we lower the cost from $273 to $31.83, a savings of 88 percent. Lonnie Stone normally spends $800. We were able to get his same medications, FDA-approved, American-made, in Canada for $268, a savings of 67 percent. Dorothy Price normally pays $477. We were able to cut her costs by 66 percent, to $163.20. Ilene Carr normally pays $1,071.30. We were able to cut that by 50 percent, cut in half a $1,000 prescription drug bill. We can do better than this. We are fortunate in our country to have wonderful public facilities in which research is done that our drug companies use to then produce products for the market. We are fortunate that we encourage that through taxpayers' funded tax credits to help with that research. We help to fund that, and yet in this country we are paying more than any other country in the world. Every other country is sold these same drugs, American-made, helped to be subsidized by the American taxpayers for less. We can do better, Mr. Speaker, and I would strongly urge my colleagues to make prescription drug coverage under Medicare a priority.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the years of dedication and service of Shirley Feirer to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Ms. Feirer will be concluding her year of outstanding service as President of the Department of Michigan VFW Auxiliary on July 1, 2000 at the Department Convention in Dearborn, Michigan. President Feirer first joined the Auxiliary in October 1983 with her husband Joseph, who served in World War II in Europe. In 1990 she was appointed as District 10 President, which she performed simultaneously with her newly elected position as Washington Township Supervisor. In 1997, she was chosen to serve as all State President. Elected as a Guard with the Department of Michigan in 1994, Ms. Feirer proceeded through the chairs to become State President in 1999. Over the past year, Shirley has logged many miles to visit the 279 VFW auxiliaries that make up the Michigan Department. She has not only traveled the state of Michigan, she has represented the over 3,000 Michigan auxiliary members at national conventions. She has balanced all of this with her role as Washington Township Supervisor, Mother of three sons, five step-children, twelve grandchildren, one great grandchild and caretaker of her mother. Today I would like to thank Shirley for her years of service and her dedication to the veterans who have so nobly served our country. The foundation that Ms. Feirer helped to build will remain for future generations. I wish her the very best as she steps down as President. I am sure she will continue to be a valuable asset to the VFW Auxiliary in the future.