I do not think there is a bigger gap anywhere in the Federal Government.

I thank you for that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I welcome that initiative and I thank you for thinking outside the box.

The need is not being met. Would you agree with that?

In your judgement, how much money would be needed to really meet the need?

There is no evidence that any insurance company in the history of America has encouraged people to go across some country's border to buy prescription drugs.

Do you believe that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Dakota should cover a prescription drug that is an FDA-approved drug purchased at a drug store in Emerson, Canada, brought back for personal use by a senior citizen in North Dakota?

I just get angry when I see this letter, which is parroting the pharmaceutical industry's advertisements.

The fact is, we are not talking about a lot of money. We are not talking about a lot of consumers.

Why shouldn't there be free trade in prescription drugs, as long as we can guarantee safety?

Well, the pharmaceutical industry spends a great amount of money advertising your position, but frankly, I am talking to you about a narrower issue here this morning and I have not yet received an answer.

Do you believe an insurance company should prohibit coverage when an American senior citizen, for example, goes over and brings a prescription drug back?

I think we do this country a great disservice.

I do not think this industry is going to come out of this whole or in any way in a manner that serves all of our country, unless we develop a strategy.

I think the market system is really, really wonderful, I mean really terrific.

A well thought out policy.

Let me just say cogent policy.

But you know, what I observe is folks in the Administration just watching all of this. I do not see that the Administration has developed an aggressive, robust plan.