John Garamendi: “Let's be very, very clear about the Medicare program. First of all, the AARP, American Association of Retired Persons…”

“Let's be very, very clear about the Medicare program. First of all, the AARP, American Association of Retired Persons, say that this legislation is going to lower costs and improve care for seniors. Secondly, it is in the bill, no benefit cuts. It is in the bill. Two hundred fifty dollars in the pocket of seniors who have got their medical prescriptions in the doughnut hole to help pay for that. And that is this year. Not 10 years from now, this year. Medicare part D doughnut hole is beginning to close. It is going to take time because it is expensive and it does take a lot of money, but it is going to close by 2018. And there will be significant drug discounts for seniors who use generic drugs this year, saving seniors, just as you said, millions of dollars out of their pocket. And that is not in the CBO score.”