Al Franken

There seems to be a disconnect between your testimony and what appears to be the reality here.

We are very, very committed. So we have put in place actions to promote that.

When can we expect such an environment to become a reality for people who work for BP?

today I am introducing the Thermal Renewable Energy and Efficiency, or TREEA, Act, on behalf of myself and Senator Bond. I want to thank him for working with me on this bill, which is inspired by models in both of our states. It is good…

I really believe that worker participation in improving workplace safety is essential.

An environment in which workers could approach management--it said BP had not established a positive, trusting, and open environment.

I'm proud that many humanitarian-use devices have been generated by companies with Minnesota ties.

the probable benefit to health from using the device outweighs the risk of injury or illness from its use.

the rare disease community has always taken a pro-active approach towards rare disease research and the development of orphan therapeutics.

Could this be part of your bill of rights?

I think sometimes we forget how important it is for people to decide, to make their own decisions on how they are living.

I was pleased to work with Senator Brown to request appropriations for research on epidermolysis bullosa.

What if a State, like, say, oh, I don't know, Pennsylvania, say, for example--I don't know why I came up with that--didn't provide regulation?

One of the biggest challenges facing Minnesotans today is figuring out how to make sure that they will have the services and the supports that they need to maintain the quality of life as they get older.

I believe there has to be a better way to make sure our scientific infrastructure and financial incentives produce treatments for both prevalent and rare diseases.

Thank you for holding today's hearing on this important issue to seniors in Minnesota and across the country.

I do not want to have the largest prison population in the world.

I think the whole point is that the seniors play an active role in deciding how, when, and where they receive their care.

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has been a leader for decades in the effort to increase information on the diagnosis and treatment of rare disorders.

It seems to me that when seniors put up a deposit to receive services in a continuing care retirement community, they expect that it will follow through as promised to provide them with services when they need them, and I just think that…

As a society, it is wrong for us to expect people with devastating diseases to fund the search for their treatments.

They are helpful, but not required?

Every day, I receive letters from Minnesotans of all ages who suffer from rare or under-studied conditions, and that have little or no prospect for care.

Well, that is a Shonda, as we say.

Continuing care retirement communities are an attractive option for some seniors because they offer the opportunity to stay in their communities, even as their long-term care needs change.