Claims He ‘Expanded Access’ to Medicare, Which He Voted to Privatize

(Downers Grove) July 6, 2018 – For the second time this week, voters in Illinois’ 6th Congressional District have received a special-interest campaign mailer praising Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton) for something he did not do: expanding access to Medicare. Sixth District candidate Sean Casten said the following:

“Once again, Peter Roskam’s special-interest friends in Washington are trying to persuade voters that he’s something that he’s not,” said Casten. “Peter Roskam does not deserve an award for his work to privatize and restrict access to Medicare. Peter Roskam has repeatedly voted to end Medicare as we know it, as well as to keep prescription drugs expensive for seniors by stopping Medicare from getting a better deal from drug companies.”

“Peter Roskam doesn’t deserve an award, let alone a participation award — he deserves a reprimand for continuing to hurt seniors in the 6th Congressional District, and lying to them about.”

The attached mailer from the Alliance for Patient Access, funded largely by drug companies [HealthNewsReview.Org, 10/2/17], thanks Peter Roskam for “being a 2018 Champion of Medicare Access.” Yet in Washington, Peter Roskam voted against seniors by preventing Medicare from negotiating with drug companies, and voted to privatize Medicare with a voucher program. [1][2]

The Alliance for Patient Access mailing followed more advertisement earlier this week falsely supporting Roskam’s record on health care.

[1] Prohibit Drug Price Negotiation. [HR4, Vote #23, 1/12/07]

[2] Roskam Voted For FY16 Republican Budget, Privatizing Medicare with Voucher Plan. [H. Con Res. 27, Vote #142, 3/25/15; New York Times, 3/25/15] Contact campaign for more examples.