The high cost of prescription drugs is a significant obstacle to quality health care for so many people in this country, especially our seniors. In 2003, I was one of only a few Republicans who voted against the law adding Medicare Part D because it was not good legislation. I have long supported adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare for the neediest Americans, but this proposal benefits the pharmaceutical and insurance companies more than seniors who need it most. The so-called “doughnut hole” affects many seniors and is one example of how this legislation failed the very people it was supposed to help.

Now Congress is taking up reform of our overall health care system. One of my biggest fears with government take-over of health care is that we will see more cuts to Medicare and current problems like the “doughnut hole” will remain unsolved.

Although my party does not control the legislative agenda, I will continue to advocate for the millions of our nation’s seniors who rely on quality, affordable health care as legislation moves forward.