Bill Delahunt: “Well, again, I am honored to be here. I heard that last evening my name was mentioned here in the House, and I presume…”

“Well, again, I am honored to be here. I heard that last evening my name was mentioned here in the House, and I presume that it was mentioned in a way that was kind and generous to a senior citizen, a senior citizen that has the Medicare card to prove that. Talking about Medicare, we are going to address Medicare in this session of Congress, and we are going to do something about that so-called prescription drug benefit program that was passed over the objections of almost every Democrat and a few courageous Republicans several years ago. Because as you know, Mr. Meek, and you know, Tim Ryan, there was a provision in that particular legislation that prohibited the Medicare Trust Fund from negotiating with the large pharmaceutical companies for a discount. In other words, whoever is the director of the Medicare Trust Fund can't go into a room and sit down with the drug companies and say, 'Let's discuss a fair price, because we are going to purchase in large quantities prescription drug benefits,' for people like myself, 'and we are going to effect real savings, like they do in the Veterans Administration.' I have seen estimates of savings that range from 30 to 80 percent on drugs where discounts could be made available and effected, drugs that save the lives of people and enhance the quality of life for those of us who have reached the golden years.”