The Medicare conference agreement fails the two criticalrequirements of a responsible drug benefit program for the nation'sseniors. The original idea underlying this legislation wasnever just about adding drug coverage to Medicare. It wasabout doing so in a way that would not lead to huge additionalliabilities to future generations, and in a way that would reformthe program so that it could respond to the changing needs of theelderly and disabled. But the agreement will not leadto that.