Marshall Sanford: “I rise today, with great regret, to oppose H.R. 4680. It's been said that the road to hell is paved with good…”

“I rise today, with great regret, to oppose H.R. 4680. It's been said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. If you follow this debate on prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries you would understand that adage all too well. Throughout the debate, both Republicans and Democrats have tried to gain a political advantage in this election year by offering competing plans that would provide drug coverage. These plans, in the end, represent a bidding war for votes. So while I am the first to recognize the fact that many people need help with prescription drugs, I am not convinced that adding another element to the Medicare program that the Trustees say is going bankrupt is the way to get there. In particular, Washington's current proposals have two problems: 1. It does little good to add prescription drugs to Medicare if it still goes bankrupt, and 2. Both plans, particularly the President's leaves room for this 'cure' to get much more expensive.”