Madrid raps GOP on federal drug benefit

SANTA FE, N.M., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid took Republicans to task for putting together a complex drug benefit program she says benefits drug companies.

Madrid, delivering the Democratic Party's weekly radio address, accused Republicans of allowing pharmaceutical companies of writing drug-related legislation.

She said the new federal prescription drug plan doesn't work "because it was written by the special interests for the special interest, not for the millions of seniors who need help."

She said Democrats would fix this by requiring the federal government to negotiate with drug companies for "the lowest possible prices," the program should offer simpler choices and postpone the current May 15 deadline to sign up for the program.

"We don't have to allow these special interests to undermine our efforts to provide affordable prescription drugs for the seniors who need them," Madrid said.