Susan Collins

So there's still a severe problem in this area that makes us very vulnerable as a Nation?

It's very ironic that the USA Freedom Act was passed under the guise of increasing privacy protections for the American people.

It will be important that healthcare providers and patients have that same confidence in the safety and efficacy of FDA-approved biosimilars.

We want a patient-centered system. That is our goal.

I'm going to suggest to my colleagues that we each have the opportunity for one final question before we adjourn this very interesting hearing.

What Senator Warner and I have done is said that we've created a reimbursement to Medicare doctors for care coordination for seniors with two or more chronic diseases.

Thank you very much, Senator Scott.

Among my highest priorities as Chairman is to highlight the importance of biomedical research for diseases like Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease.

One of the things that I enjoy most about serving as Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee is that we deal with what I call people issues.

According to many economic analyses, there is a roughly two-to-one return on investment for Federal support for biomedical research.

Investments in biomedical research not only improve the health and longevity of Americans, but also provide ongoing benefits to our economy and the Federal budget.

I want to begin this Special Field Hearing of the Senate Committee on Aging today by thanking Senator Scott for your leadership in requesting this field hearing.

Aging is a significant issue that affects all of us, and we must prioritize biomedical research.

I am concerned, however, that there is little Federal effort to increase awareness among students about college costs, debt, and repayment.

By creating specific financial incentives to colleges to meet the needs of specific demographic groups or other subgroup of students, colleges are incented to provide services that will support students--to include students with…

Given the high default rate of students who don't complete college...if we had some sort of incentive in the form of very small loan forgiveness, that it would help provide the incentive that students need to complete college.

We also know that if students don't graduate that they are three times more likely to default on their student loan debt.

My concern is focused on those students who end up in debt and with no degree.

I wish to thank the Senator from Delaware for his very eloquent statement. I know how passionate he is about helping people, particularly in Africa. He has extraordinary expertise about that region of the world, about that continent, and…

I wish to thank the Senator from Delaware for his very eloquent statement. I know how passionate he is about helping people, particularly in Africa. He has extraordinary expertise about that region of the world, about that continent, and…

Very important questions.

The system is totally backwards. Those who were not providing adequate care are the ones who should have been disciplined and held accountable.

There is still not a permanent Inspector General after a vacancy of over a year and a half.

Do you think the Inspector General has the expertise to do these kinds of investigations?

I would note that today is National Whistleblowers Day.