Congressional Democrats are turning to the Web to tout their prescription drug plan which they say would make prescription drugs more affordable. The Web site effort, along with a new advertising campaign, is led by Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (SD) and House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt (Mo.).

"I know of no issue today that unites Democrats more strongly and more effectively than passing a prescription drug bill," Daschle said. "Elections are about choices, and one of the most important choices the American people will be facing in this election is who will modernize Medicare to make prescription drugs more affordable."

The Web site, established by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) at http://www.1-877-leadnow.com, along with a toll free number of the same name, 1-877-leadnow, are designed to answer questions Americans may have about legislation to cover prescription drugs, and to gain support for the Access to Rx Medicare Medications Act., H.R. 1495, introduced by Reps. Pete Stark, (D-Calif.), Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and John Dingell (D-Mich.).

The legislation would provides a basic benefit of $1,700 that covers 80 percent of pharmaceutical costs for all seniors with more than $200 in annual drug costs, and cover 100 percent of Medicare costs above $3,000 in annual out-of-pocket prescription drug expenditures. It also would allow beneficiaries with drug costs in excess of the basic benefit to be allowed to self-pay for additional medications at the private entity's discounted price.

A second piece of legislation being promoted on the site is the Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act, H.R. 664 and sponsored by Reps. Thomas Allen (D-Me.) and Waxman. This bill would require drug manufacturers who sell drugs to the federal government to sell the same drugs to pharmacies at either the lowest price paid for the drug by the federal government or the manufacturer's best price for the drug.