Amendment AA1-ASA1-AJR71

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2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

ASSEMBLY AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO 2003 ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION 71

March 2, 2004 - Offered by Representatives Pocan, Boyle and Cullen.

AJR71-ASA1-AA1,1,1 At the locations indicated, amend the substitute amendment as follows:

AJR71-ASA1-AA1,1,2 1. Page 1, line 6: delete lines 6 to 12 and substitute:

AJR71-ASA1-AA1,1,4 "Whereas, Americans pay drug prices that are 30 to 300 percent more to fill their prescriptions than in European and other industrialized nations; and

AJR71-ASA1-AA1,1,6 Whereas, the United States is the world's largest market for pharmaceuticals yet consumers still pay the world's highest prices; and

AJR71-ASA1-AA1,1,8 Whereas, according to the Congressional Budget Office, American seniors alone will spend $1.8 trillion dollars on pharmaceuticals over the next ten years; and

AJR71-ASA1-AA1,1,11 Whereas, allowing open pharmaceutical markets from abroad could lower prices at least 35 percent and save American consumers at least $635 billion of their own money each year; and

AJR71-ASA1-AA1,2,3 Whereas, pharmaceutical companies reported sales of $219 billion in 2002 and made $20 million in federal campaign contributions during the last election cycle; now, therefore, be it

AJR71-ASA1-AA1,2,9 Resolved, by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin State Legislature opposes the policy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of not allowing individuals and pharmacies in the United States to re-import prescription medications purchased in other countries that have regulatory safeguards for the manufacture and distribution of drugs as strict as regulatory safeguards in the United States; and, be it further

AJR71-ASA1-AA1,2,14 Resolved, That the Wisconsin State Legislature encourages state and local units of government to take the lead and begin the re-importation from foreign countries of prescription drugs that are as strict as regulatory safeguards of the United States and that are cheaper than their United States counterpart; and, be it further

AJR71-ASA1-AA1,2,18 Resolved, That the Wisconsin State Legislature directs the Assembly and Senate Chief Clerk to immediately allow employees of the Wisconsin State Legislature to purchase prescription drugs from foreign countries under their health care plans; and, be it further

AJR71-ASA1-AA1,2,21 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to all governors and to the presiding officer of each house of all state legislatures.".

AJR71-ASA1-AA1,2,22 (End)