It should be noted that this Committee has played a key role in facilitating prescription drug monitoring programs.

I want to thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry) for his outstanding leadership on this issue that we're discussing tonight, the right of conscience. And I come tonight to the floor with alarm over how this administration is…

From New Jersey's perspective, expanding Medicaid just makes sense and that is why Governor Christie chose to expand.

I am extremely concerned that their proposal will simply lead to higher premiums and greater financial burdens on low-income elderly or disabled Medicaid beneficiaries.

I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today.

Medicaid is in trouble.

Clearly, we are failing those most in need of our help.

While we expect all States to participate in the Medicaid expansion because it is an advantageous fiscal arrangement, I am troubled and discouraged that there are many who still have not decided to expand.

Medicaid was designed as a safety net for the most vulnerable Americans, including pregnant women, dependent children, the blind and the disabled.

We reimburse so poorly in Medicaid that the patients can only do what they have always done, which is go to the emergency room, the highest point of contact. If we expand the program, we are going to expand the problem. I yield back.

I would argue that under the current law, a great deal of flexibility exists while simultaneously providing a baseline of protections for beneficiaries.

We need to provide States with the flexibility to pursue these options, not lock them in a one-size-fits-all model dictated by Washington.

The committee has sought to accomplish SGR reform through an open and transparent process with consideration given to all relevant stakeholders.

I look forward to working with all parties in the coming weeks and months with the goal of getting SGR reform to the President's desk.

We are seeking substantive feedback on ways to complete this draft, and I would encourage all interested parties to submit their comments to the committee by June 10th.

The visit a couple of weeks ago of Burma's President, with the surrounding high-level honors, was a little disturbing. This leader's regime has engaged in well-documented horrific attacks against the various ethnic minority groups in his…

The subcommittee will come to order. The chair will recognize himself for an opening statement.

The chair thanks the gentlelady.

The commitment to exploring bipartisan reform from Mr. Pallone, Mr. Waxman, leaves me hopeful that bipartisan reform is indeed possible.

The bill before us today is important and necessary legislation to strengthen the prescription drug supply chain and to provide greater safety for our Nation's patients. Safeguarding our prescription drug supply chain is important to…

What are some of the lessons the agency has learned during the period of this outbreak?

I think it is irresponsible for us to stand by and expect FDA to cobble together a piecemeal approach to regulating the practice of compounding pharmacy.

Could legislation that applies different standards adversely affect the quality of drugs made available to patients?

Hasn't the FDA recently used its manufacturing inspection authority to inspect manufacturers acting under the guise of compounding recently?

I commend my colleague Mr. Pallone for his wise counsel and leadership.