No one should go without their medication. If you are a Medicare beneficiary, do not leave the pharmacy counter without your prescriptions.

Every Medicare beneficiary can choose whether they want prescription drug coverage or not,

[Kennedy asked about reports that the administration planned deep cuts in Medicaid and Medicare and] whether we're going to be squeezing and denying health benefits. ... It's always been my belief that we can expand the number of people we serve with the available resources.

We're also working on further steps to insure that, when a beneficiary goes to a pharmacy in 2006, they'll be able to get their prescription drugs, even if the only proof they have is that they are in Medicaid and Medicare.

We'd like to see a pharmacy there, but not one that will take up half of the Landing. We support the existing stores that are still there. As space becomes available, we'd like to see a small bank, bakery or another type of restaurant there. We'd like to see something small fit into those vacant shops.

It would be my assessment that no nation is adequately prepared for a pandemic avian flu. (However) I believe that most nations are improving and preparation is increasing,