Unfortunately, I have to begin today's hearing expressing my disappointment in the tactics and process from your side of the aisle.

I believe that Sections 5 and 6 need changes to ensure the proper review of new and existing chemicals.

For nearly 50 years, Medicare has served as the bedrock program for our Nation's seniors and disabled.

It is also critical that they take every action within their authority to alleviate fraud, waste, and abuse.

Today the OIG released the report on some of the shortcomings of the oversight of Part C, or Medicare Advantage, and it sounds to me like Medicare Advantage plans have a lot of work to do in order to improve their fight against fraud and…

I think we can and have to do more in the Part D program to help address the prescription drug abuse epidemic.

But in order to build upon the promise of the program, Congress and the Administration must continue to find ways to strengthen the program.

Unlike my Republican colleagues' tactics towards the Affordable Care Act, my initial opposition to the Part D law has not stopped me from working to improve and strengthen the program for seniors.

Rather, we should move forward on how best to achieve our objectives for a Part D program that serves its beneficiaries as best as possible.

There is a better way. Adopting my Part D Drug Rebate Bill, the Medicare Drug Savings Act would be a much sounder and beneficiary-friendly approach.

We feel it is our responsibility to propose changes to improve the operations.

In fact, the savings were part of the Republican budgets written by the House Budget Chair, Paul Ryan, in 2011, 2012, and 2013.