WASHINGTON Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today held a forum on the Medicare Prescription Drug program in Pawtucket, RI, to discuss changes to the prescription drug plan and solutions to help seniors navigate through the program.Reed was joined by Mayor James E. Doyle of Pawtucket, Mary Lou Moran, Deputy Director of the Leon Mathieu Senior Center, Kathleen Connell of the AARP, Rich Backer of East Side Prescription Center, Pamela Meliso of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, and John Gage of Riverview Nursing Home. Reed opposed the Medicare drug benefit program due to concerns over its complexity, failure to allow the government to negotiate low prices, and its giveaways to special interests. Reed stated, I am deeply disturbed that the predictions that I made when this legislation passed two years ago are now coming to pass with the implementation of the Medicare prescription drug benefit. It is upsetting to know that many Americans, particularly low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities, are not receiving affordable prescriptions in a timely manner. Reed added, I am pleased that members of Rhode Islands health care community have come together today to help aid those trying to figure out the Medicare prescription drug program. It is my hope that this forum will help those who are struggling to adjust to this new, complex system as well as provide them with further insights on how to craft a Medicare drug benefit that is easy to understand and cost effective.