David Hobson: “I rise in support, of the important legislation before us today that will help seniors in Ohio's 7th Congressional…”

“I rise in support, of the important legislation before us today that will help seniors in Ohio's 7th Congressional District with the high cost of prescription drugs. I first want to acknowledge the efforts of Chairman Bliley and Chairman Thomas, as well as the efforts of Representative Burr, Representative Greenwood, and Representative McCrery. They've worked long hours, and they have written a very good bill that adds a sustainable, fair, and compassionate drug benefit that modernizes the Medicare program so seniors can afford the drugs they depend on to stay healthy. Our bill puts in place a new benefit in Medicare that allows seniors to receive their prescription drugs through at least two choices--as opposed to the one-size-fits-some approach advocated by the President. It does so in a fair way that lets seniors in my district keep their existing coverage, and in a way that provides assistance to every senior in financial distress or with unusually high drug costs. And every senior will benefit from the power of group discounts that will reduce the out-of-pocket cost of prescription drugs. One of the truly innovative things this bill does, and which is long overdue in the Medicare program, is to create a new Medicare Benefits Administration outside of the current bureaucracy that will be focused on seniors and their benefits first and foremost.”