Political Quotes

“I rise to join with all of my colleagues and all of the people across America who support a real prescription drug program for seniors. I understand the concerns that some express for the need to reform Medicare, and I agree. But I believe that prescription drug coverage for seniors should be an integral part of the Medicare program. We are aware that since its creation Medicare has remained stagnant, while advances in medicine have grown rapidly. We are aware that even our fundamental vision of medicine has dramatically changed from diagnosis and treatment to preventive care. Today, due to our realization of the need for modification and reform of Medicare, to our seniors, which has been an overwhelming process of paperwork with worries about reimbursement and regulations, it is not a form of security as it was once thought to be. Medicare reform is necessary, but the time is now to listen to our seniors and to give them what they have been requesting, that we give them financial relief and provide them with a prescription drug plan that will actually cut their monthly prescription drug expenses. It has been stated on the floor of this House a number of times that we have seniors choosing between food and drugs, splitting their prescription in half and denying themselves other medical care due to the cost of their monthly prescription drug costs. In fact, seniors are declaring bankruptcy at a record pace due in large part to the rising cost of health care.”