Thomas Daschle: “I have come to the conclusion, that this may not even be half a loaf but it is a start. As a start, it affords an…”

“I have come to the conclusion, that this may not even be half a loaf but it is a start. As a start, it affords an opportunity to come back in 2 months, 2 years, within the next two decades, and gives us a chance to build. It has the elements of a foundation upon which we can improve a system of prescription drug health care delivery to seniors for the first time in our lifetime, for the first time in the lifetime of Medicare. That to me is a valuable asset to put in the bank so that I am prepared to accept the many deficiencies in this bill in an effort to get something started. I don't expect I will enjoy unanimous support for that point of view within our caucus, perhaps within the Senate. But it seems to me we have to start somewhere. If we fall victim to making the perfect the enemy of the good, then I believe we will have lost yet another year and there will be no help for seniors under any circumstances. I don't find that acceptable.”