WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. John Baldacci, D-Maine, joined other members of Congress on Thursday to unveil a prescription medicine benefit plan for older Americans. At a news conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, the representatives outlined provisions of the Medicare Rx Benefit and Discount Act. They called for swift action to implement the proposal, saying that reform is long overdue.

“Our nation faces a growing crisis – the high cost of prescription medication. The threat is greatest to our elderly who rely most heavily on medicine to maintain their health. Sadly, many seniors in Maine and other border states have been relying on bus trips to Canada to obtain more affordable medication,” Baldacci said.

“One of my friends, Vi Quirion [of Waterville], recently testified before a House Committee about the cost of prescriptions. She has traveled to Canada for seven years to save money on her medicine. It is simply wrong that our frailest citizens must go to such lengths in search of affordable prices,” Baldacci added.

The Medicare Rx Benefit and Discount Act would ensure better prices on prescription medication by requiring the secretary of health and human services to negotiate discounted drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries, according to Baldacci. The bill’s key provisions include:

. Premium: $25 a month.

. Deductible: $100 a year.

. Co-pay: 20 percent.

. Catastrophic: Medicare covers all costs after $2,000 out of pocket.

. Low-income: For up to 150 percent of poverty level – no premium or co-pay.

. For 150-175 percent of poverty level – sliding scale for premiums.

“This proposal offers a voluntarily, universally available benefit to Medicare beneficiaries,” Baldacci said. “I hope there will be a full and honest debate on the House floor in the very near future, so we can finally provide real relief for our nation’s seniors.”