Senator Dorgan Pledges Commitment To Veterans Health Care

Senator also working to put downward pressure on prescription drug costs; would save consumers $50 billion

October 2, 2009 -- (GRAND FORKS, N.D.) – As Congress considers ways to improve the overall health care system, Veterans health care remains a top priority, said U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) at the Grand Forks VA Community Based Outreach Clinic today.

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“There has been a lot of misinformation when it comes to health care reform legislation, including some inaccurate claims that the proposals would hurt the current VA system. That simply isn’t the case,” said Dorgan. “No one knows for sure what the final outcome of this health care reform bill will be, but one thing is for certain – I will not support legislation that undermines health care for veterans or the VA system.”

“We owe it to the people who served this country that we maintain a strong VA medical system that delivers high-quality health care for veterans,” added Dorgan. “I commend the dedicated staff of doctors and nurses here in Grand Forks and across the country for the work that they do for veterans health care, and I will continue to support this important part of our system as we debate health reform.”

Senator Dorgan also spoke of his efforts to bring down the costs of their medication by giving Americans the freedom to purchase FDA-approved prescription drugs. Dorgan’s legislation, called the “Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act” is estimated to save $50 billion over the next 10 years.

It has 30 cosponsors from both parties in the Senate, including Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and John McCain (R-AZ). Senator Dorgan intends to offer the legislation as one of the first amendments to the health care reform bill on the Senate floor. This legislation would save money for North Dakotans and the government, by ultimately forcing drug companies to lower their prices in the United States.

“Prescription drug importation is an important piece in the health care reform puzzle because the high costs of drugs is placing a huge burden on families,” said Dorgan. “I have heard too many stories of North Dakotans forced to drive to Canada to buy their medications. This legislation will reduce costs to individuals as well as the government, and allow North Dakotans to see that cost savings almost immediately.”

Source: Senator Byron Dorgan