there is evidence that pbms do save health care cost and mergers can help pbms realize efficiencies and scales that allow them to save even more money for their clients. one study released yesterday estimate that clients would save almost $2 trillion of health care cost of the next decade. another fact to consider is that nearly every major plan sponsor who is responsible for administering a health-insurance plan hires a pbm to administer the prescription drug benefit under that plan. if they did not save money for plan sponsors, then, presumably, plan sponsors would not continue to engage them. this hearing will examine all the issues surrounding this merger. i look forward to hearing from our expert witness panel today, but i would like to it conclude my remarks by raising a larger concern that goes beyond >> in the anniversary call announcing the merger, the express scripting c.e.o. and the medco c.e.o. who are here today as witnesses mentioned the president's health care reform as a major factor motivating the merger. mr. snow said, "i believe you are going to see all sorts of combi