James M. Jeffords: “as we debate the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Plan of 2003, I would like to take a few minutes today to…”

“as we debate the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Plan of 2003, I would like to take a few minutes today to speak in support of the overall bill, but I would also like to highlight several provisions in the bill that are of particular importance to me and my State of Vermont. Over the last several days, we have focused much of our discussion on the aspects of this bill related to prescription drugs and the Medicare Advantage Program. These are clearly among the most important provisions of this bill and these issues warrant the attention and debate they are receiving. I especially appreciate the close relationship this bill has to last year's tripartisan effort--which effectively is the parent of the current bill Last year, my friends-- Senators Grassley, Snowe, Hatch, and Breaux--and I set out to design a bill that provided a prescription drug benefit along with other improvements, what we called ``enhancements,'' to the basic operations of the Medicare Program. The tripartisan bill was good legislation-- something all of its original cosponsors were very proud to work on together. This year, I am pleased to say that the Grassley-Baucus bill is even better than our effort from last year, and I commend Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Baucus for their leadership and initiative in bringing it to the Senate floor.”