March 4, 2010

WASHINGTON -- Northern Tier congressman Chris Carney is co-sponsoring a bill introduced Thursday that aims to cut Medicare prescription drug costs both for seniors and taxpayers.
     The Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2010 would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate prescription drug prices on behalf of Medicare Part D beneficiaries for the first time.
     Carney says the legislation could potentially save $156 billion over 10 years.
     Medicare Part D, which benefits 28 million U.S. seniors, accounted for more than $50 billion-worth of prescription drugs in 2009.