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I am writing you to express my support for the bill H.R. 3240 that was introduced on November 4,1999, by Congressman Gil Gutknecht. H.R. 3240 has ten cosponsors and I am requesting that you also join as a cosponsor.

H.R. 3240 would allow Americans to import into the United States FDA-approved drugs manufactured at FDA-approved manufacturing facilities in other countries. This would enable me to drastically reduce the price I pay for my prescription drugs and will help to keep a lid on my medical insurance premiums.

Americans pay the highest prices in the world for drugs that are identical to those sold in Europe and Canada. On November 3, 1999, Families USA released a study showing that the cost of drugs for seniors went up four times faster than the inflation rate. If something is not done, the high cost of prescription drugs will bankrupt most senior citizens.

I don't want Medicare (meaning tax dollars) used to subsidize drug prices, nor do I want a new pack of bureaucrats mandating price controls of drugs. Instead, I want to see free market forces compete for my business, as this is the most efficient way I can gain access to better medicines at lower prices.

I therefore urge you to cosponsor H.R. 3240 so that Americans will be free to shop for FDA-approved drugs from FDA-approved manufacturers anywhere in the world. Passage of H.R. 3240 would go a long way to resolving the looming Medicare crisis, and it would provide an immediate cost savings to Americans on their prescription drugs purchases and health insurance premiums.

Kindly inform me if you are going to cosponsor H.R. 3240 so I can enthusiastically inform people I know in your district that you are taking aggressive steps to protect the ordinary citizen from the skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs.

Signed ________________________________

Name _________________________________

Address________________________________