Perkins will grow if tuition grows, and the need for Perkins will grow.

The low interest rate connected to Perkins, of course, is an important feature.

If we're not talking about higher education when trying to solve the lack of wage growth over the last 40 years, we're probably not getting to part of the solution.

Because we're lower cost, Perkins is vital to most of our institutions, primarily because we're a poor State.

So, Commissioner, I would ask for your commitment to work with our folks, both local officials and State officials, as well as taxpayers, on a coordinated approach to solve the problem.

I want to start with the issue through the lens of Pennsylvania.

How can we do a better job of incentivizing colleges and universities to invest in similar programs like Fly in 4?

I rise to talk about the trade debate we are having in the Senate. I know we have heard a lot of debate on both sides. I wish first to talk about some of the background before I get to what is in front of us in terms of the process in…

Mr. Chairman, thank you for having the hearing, and I want to thank our witnesses, especially Dr. Webber, because you're from Temple.

I rise to ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I have had it for a number of years. Senators Baldwin and Portman have introduced a bill that I am proud to be cosponsoring with Senator Casey and Senator Brown to define therapeutic foster care benefits to increase quality of care.

I want to commend the words of Senator Wyden and his passion and his work on this for so many years.

Improving care for Medicare patients with chronic conditions is a matter that I think we are all very interested in.

I have been working on the adoption of a collaborative care model.

The National Quality Forum (NQF) and other peer-reviewed journals, have concluded that the current star rating system for Medicare Advantage should include measures related to social determinants of health.

Medicare needs to encourage teams of providers to coordinate care for their patients with chronic conditions.

As Chairman Hatch noted, I have been passionate about this issue for some time, but now, with the input and efforts of the whole Finance Committee, I believe that we can craft a bipartisan solution.

I have received a number of valuable comments along the way, and I intend to work closely with Chairman Hatch, Senator Isakson, and Senator Warner.

I urge CMS to consider that.

Thanks very much, Mr. Chairman. We are grateful you are here and thanks for your service. Difficult subject matter and a difficult time to serve.

Thank you, Senator Isakson. Both doctors, thank you for being here, and we are grateful for your testimony and for your work on this.

I wish to honor Corporal Bryon K. Dickson, a Pennsylvania State trooper who was killed in the line of duty on September 12, 2014. Corporal Dickson was a resident of Dunmore, PA, who served our Commonwealth and our Nation with honor, valor…

On this question of direct certification, do you think that increasing participation in community eligibility and direct certification would help reduce improper payments?

We may put those on a chart so we can have them in front of us.

I appreciate that, and I think it bears repeating.