Washington - Representative Thaddeus M. McCotter (R-Livonia) has been chosen today by U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) to serve on the House of Representatives Prescription Drug Action Team for the 108th Congress, a regionally diverse group of members organized to develop a framework for the passage of a Medicare-prescription drug bill later this spring.

 

“Congressman McCotter has demonstrated a commitment to delivering affordable health care to the seniors in his district and across the country and I look forward to working with him on this issue in the weeks ahead,” said Speaker Hastert.  

 

Members of this year’s team will work with the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees to create a Medicare-prescription drug plan focused on strengthening Medicare and lowering the cost of prescription drugs for senior citizens.     

 

“Seniors are concerned by the rising costs of health care and their ability to keep up with those costs,” said McCotter.  “This team is organized around one common cause–finding an affordable, effective solution to this problem sooner rather than later.”

 

The Speaker made his announcement quickly following the passage of a federal budget providing $400 billion to modernize Medicare and include a prescription drug benefit.

 

“House Republicans are very concerned about rapidly rising health care costs and how best we can help ease that burden on America’s senior citizens,” Speaker Hastert stated.  “The Speaker’s Drug Action Team is a diverse group of Republican lawmakers, each with good ideas on strengthening Medicare and helping seniors get a prescription drug benefit.  After members go home and listen to their constituents during this April District Work Period, my goal is to see the House take action on modernizing Medicare with prescription drug coverage before memorial Day.”