I really commend you. I know a lot of the members of the committee join me in welcoming and commending that work.

no matter how good these rules, they have to be enforced vigorously and fairly.

And there's no other way to view it than as a kind of loophole, giveaway, sweetheart deal that raises the cost of drugs at a time when the cost of drugs is already spiraling upward; correct?

Thank you, Senator Kohl, and thank you for again having a very, very informative and useful hearing.

I am indeed, and thank you for your leadership on that legislation, Mr. Chairman.

the Federal Government, it seems to me, has an obligation to taxpayers and seniors to take advantage of competition where it exists, or enhance it where it should be more robust in order to achieve those savings.

And don't we have an obligation to enable taxpayers and seniors to have lower drug prices by using the Federal Government's bargaining power to lower those drug prices?

Wouldn't you recommend that the confines of the statute, as you have adroitly put it, be changed so that the public interest could be better served to lower drug prices?

And so I think my question is: How do we prepare the courts, the law enforcement professionals, and others who are involved in this system for dealing with those individuals who may be within their jurisdiction and they may not fully…

I am very much involved in trying to work on behalf of veterans and particularly those whom you know firsthand have been injured in these last 10 years of war.

Thank you all for being here and for giving us the very substantial, varied insights that you bring to this subject.

Well, again, I look forward to working with you all. I apologize that I have been in and out because of the votes and other commitments, but I really appreciate your being here today, and thank you to the Chairman for having this very…