Kirk Watson: “I, too, feel the unease of those who spoke before me about the information the President gave us on a reason for going…”

“I, too, feel the unease of those who spoke before me about the information the President gave us on a reason for going to Iraq. I think it requires investigation. It requires us to know the truth. I do hope when Tony Blair comes on Thursday, we will begin to know the truth. But in the meanwhile, I want to inform American seniors about the Medicare reform bill that will be considered by the House/Senate conferees. I want to protect and respect our seniors, but I am shocked at the bill the House majority passed by only one vote just over a week ago. Medicare beneficiaries have waited a long time for help; but, unfortunately, the proposed legislation falls short of what seniors and disabled Americans have been waiting for. We are at a time when we know the miracle of science. Prescription drugs can be miraculous in their power to cure and improve the quality of life of our seniors. We in government have the responsibility to capitalize on the advantages of science and help our seniors. By adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare, a program that seniors know and trust, seniors will have an improved quality of life at a reduced cost to taxpayers over the long term. A Medicare prescription drug benefit should be affordable, reducing the exorbitant prices of drugs, meaningful with guaranteed benefits, within Medicare, and available to all regardless of where they live.”