Political Quotes

“first of all, before explaining the amendment, I commend my colleagues for their leadership on the Finance Committee. They have been working very diligently--the chairman, Senator Grassley, and the ranking member, Senator Baucus, and members on both sides of the aisle. I commend them for bringing forward one of the most critical issues affecting American people, American families, American seniors today. While we may disagree on specifics and on what is the best approach, I very much commend them for giving us the opportunity to debate this critical issue and for the hard work that has gone on, on both sides. My amendment is a simple one. It would provide another choice of prescription drug plans for seniors on Medicare. In fact, it would provide the choice the majority of seniors want to make on Medicare. The underlying bill allows seniors to choose a prescription drug plan, but only if the plan is one offered by a private insurance company. My amendment simply allows seniors to get their prescription drugs through the Medicare Program. It is creating one more option. The legislation before us tries to expand health care choices for people on Medicare. Regrettably, it does not provide the full range of choices for seniors. Without my amendment, we are not in fact providing the full range of choices, including the one for which the seniors are asking.”