Joe Pitts

Rather than continue a successful program and encourage innovation, now we are faced with a rule to ruin one of the only working parts of our current healthcare system.

The removal of these drugs from protected class status risks the lives of current and future beneficiaries.

The success of Part D is largely attributed to its competitive, free-market structure.

Only in Washington would there be a big government solution in search of a problem that simply does not exist.

The Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit is a government success story.

I urge Secretary Sebelius and Administrator Tavenner to rescind this rule.

CMS is choosing to ignore the law.

Part D should be the model for future reforms to the Medicare Program.

More than 90 percent of seniors are satisfied with their Part D drug coverage because of this.

Competition and choice have kept premiums stable.

The Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit is a government success story.

Why is the Administration dead set on pushing policies that harm seniors and using their Medicare program as a piggy bank to fund other healthcare programs?

It is disheartening, to say the least, that this committee needs to hold a hearing bearing the title 'The Worldwide Persecution of Christians.'

I think this is a good thing for Congress after it passes a law to take a look at how it is being implemented.

I am concerned by the court-ordered deadline of June 30, 2015. These regulations are too important to be rushed through without proper thought and consideration.

I think it is significant that we are having this meeting, this hearing in February of this year.

I would also ask Mr. Taylor for a commitment to work with industry, particularly with respect to inspections, after the final regulations go into effect.

I believe the success of FSMA's implementation will rest on a flexible regulatory structure that, one, encourages an efficient, risk-based approach to food safety, and two, acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all, overly burdensome model…

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 48 million Americans, or one in six, will become ill from a foodborne disease each year.

At this time I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana, Dr. Cassidy, a very active member of the Health Subcommittee.

At this time, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the vice chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. {time} 1045

Opponents of the Exchange Information Disclosure Act have argued that requiring weekly reports on the health care law to the American people is too burdensome, too costly for the Department of Health and Human Services. Yet, somehow, HHS…

Just to clarify, we hear the words ``sign up,'' ``signed up,'' ``equal to enrollment.'' We may know how many people have signed up. We do not know how many have actually enrolled and have paid their first month's premiums. Secondly, we are…

At this time, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry), the prime sponsor of the legislation.

At this time, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.