mr. smythe just told us in response to the questions, the reality is, if those costs rise at a rate that's faster than gdp plus .5, seniors will be left holding the bag with respect to the amount they get with the voucher and you know what? if they can't find a plan with current benefits, with that voucher, they're going to have to take less benefits. or if they find a plan with current benefits it may cost a whole lot more. and reality is, in our view, that's a violation of the medicare guarantee, because everybody should always be able to be assured of the existing benefits without having to pay a whole lot more. so with that, ms. schwartz thank you for the opportunity. >> this is moving forward and protects guaranteed benefits, and avoids a cost shift to seniors, in this country. it's something that has worked for a long time. we need to contain the rate of growth of costs in the right way and protect other soviet unioniers and i would like to reserve the balance of my time, i think to close. just one minute. well, when we be happy to -- >> now, but you'll get -- >> got it. >> at the en

mr. smythe just told us in response to the questions, the reality is if those costs rise at a rate that is faster than gdp plus .5, seniors are going to be left holding the bag with respect to the amount they get for the voucher and do you know what? if they can't find a plan with current benefits without faucher, they are going to have to take less benefits, or if they find a plan with current benefits it may cost a whole lot more and the reality is in our view, that is a violation of the medicare guarantee because everyone should always be able to be assured that the existing benefits without having to pay a whole lot, so with that ms. schwartz thank you for the opportunity. >> thank you. this amendment does protect guaranteed benefits and avoids the kashif to seniors in this country. as somebody who has worked for a long time to contain the growth of cost of the right way and protect our seniors, and i would like to reserve the balance of my time to close. just one minute? >> had two now but you will get to one at the end. >> than i would be happy to add one other comment if i may. i ju

smyth. >> thank you, mr. chairman. if you could elaborate on the consequences of the missile launch if north korea goes through with it. they have not shown themselves to be responsive to international pressure. how do you see that playing out? how will others in the region respond? what should we do as a result? >> thank you for that question. we are concerned about the possibility of the missile launch that the north koreans have announced that they would indeed conduct and as you implied, a number of countries in the area and a broader area are concerned about this. the north koreans indicated there will launch in a south for direction and -- of the bill will launch in the south were direction. we do not have any confidence on the stability of the missile or where the impact will be. a number of countries could potentially be affected. the debris could fall on other countries and cause casualties. this fact -- and this affects south korea, japan, okinawa, and the intended impact is somewhere close to the philippines