Senator
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

RE: Fix the most outrageous flaws in the Medicare bill!

Dear Senator ,

I urge you to do whatever it takes to pass legislation to fix two of the worst flaws in the Medicare prescription drug plan.

First, the outrageous prohibition that stops Medicare from asking drug companies for a volume discount must be repealed. This provision appears particularly cynical and self-defeating in light of the success the Veterans' Administration has had in using bulk discounts to reduce prescription drug prices. The VA has used its power as the largest purchaser of drugs in the U.S. to negotiate significant discounts for its clients, the same as private health insurers. This prohibition is a give-away to the pharmaceutical industry, allowing it to reap windfall profits at the expense of Medicare recipients and all American taxpayers.

Second, the provision barring states and individuals from importing medicine from Canada, where identical medicine is available at much lower cost, must be removed. The Bush administration claims it is unsafe to import drugs from Canadian pharmacies because the FDA itself does not inspect them. As one wry pundit asked, however, "so where are all the dead Canadians" from their inexpensive prescription drugs? The issue is not one of safety but one of extra profits for the drug companies versus the ability of Americans to access affordable health care.

I join millions of concerned Americans in expecting you to quickly pass new legislation to allow for Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for its members and to allow for drugs from Canada to be imported.

I will continue to closely monitor your efforts on this vital issue.

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