Political Quotes

“Madam President, today I wish to call attention to a report released by the Senate Special Committee on Aging, ``Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit: Increasing Use and Access of Affordable Prescription Drugs.'' I have long been an advocate in the fight for affordable prescription drugs for our seniors--in fact, when this body was considering the legislation that created the Medicare Part D benefit, I voiced concerns that we did not go far enough to ensure that every senior had access to the lifesaving and life- sustaining treatments they need. During the debate in the Senate on the Affordable Care Act, I fought to eliminate the so-called Medicare Part D doughnut hole because no senior should have their drug coverage disappear when they need it most. I believe that closing the prescription drug doughnut hole was one of the best things we did in the Affordable Care Act, and in my State alone seniors have saved more than $756 million on their drugs since the law was passed. Over the past 2 years, the Aging Committee has held hearings, drafted legislation, solicited multiple reports from the Government Accountability Office, GAO, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, OIG, on selected topics, and met with industry and beneficiary stakeholders. I requested a study by the GAO on the Part D plan finder tool's accuracy of information on plans and drug pricing.…”