Special Alert on Prescription Drug Benefits

(June 8, 2000)

Issue:

It is believed that a prescription drug bill will not be passed before the end of the current legislative session, which is considerably shorter this year. The target date for adjournment is October 6. There seems to be neither bipartisan nor bicameral support in this election charged year. This could be, however, a good time to let lawmakers know about your concerns related to prescription drug benefits.

Action:

Write your Representative and your Senators.

1. Contact your Senators and Representative to let them know of your concerns related to the need for Medicare beneficiaries to receive prescription drugs. If you know a personal story that reinforces your concern, please describe it briefly. Let them know you will also be communicating with their opponent in the coming election. Ask your lawmakers' position on who should be eligible for coverage, how and who would pay for benefits, and what should be the role of the federal government. If you agree with their response, thank them in a future correspondence. If you disagree, let them know why, but be polite.

The Honorable The Honorable
U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20515

2. If your Senator or Representative is retiring after this session of Congress, you should contact the candidates for that office using the same strategy described above. The following members of Congress have announced their intention not to seek re-election in 2000.

Senators - Mack (R-FL), Bryan (D-NV), Kerry (D-NE), Lautenberg (D-NJ), Moynihan (NY).

Representatives - Archer (R-TX 7), Barrett (R-NE 3), Bateman (R-VA 1), Clay (D-MO 1), Pickett (D-VA 2), Vento (D-MN 4), Canady (R-FL 12), Chenoweth-Hage (R-ID 1), Coburn (R-OK 2), Ewing (R-IL 15), Fowler (R-FL 4), Goodling (R-PA 19), Hill (R-MT), Kasich (R-OH 12), Metcalf (R-WA 2), Packard (R-CA 48), Pease (R-IN 7), Porter (R-IL 10), Salmon (R-AZ 1), Sanford (R-SC 1).

House Members Seeking Election to the Senate
Campbell (R-CA 15), Franks (R-NJ 7), McCollum (R-FL 8), Klink (D-PA 4), Stabenow (D-MI 8), Weygand (D-RI 2).

3. Seek a way to express your concern about prescription drugs to the presidential candidates. If you attend a campaign meeting where they are present, try to voice your opinion. Also try to contact the local or regional Democratic or Republican party leaders and ask that they relate your concerns to the offices of the presidential candidates. This will be more effective if done before the party conventions this summer.

4. In all of your correspondence, identify yourself as a person of faith. Let them know you are a Presbyterian (or state your denomination). Please inform the PC (USA) Washington Office of any responses from your Representative or Senators.

General Assembly Guidance:

The 211th General Assembly (1999) adopted two reports from the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy: "Health Care: Policies and Activities" and "Managed Care." Concerns for beneficiaries of Medicare are addressed in both.