"it is going to be a nightmare."
"One of the things that I come across pretty frequently...is that when people have chronic or multiple illnesses...their appetite for electronic health records is very high."
"Take diabetes alone. I think that is probably a chronic illness for which having good tools for patients would clearly benefit patients and reduce costs and improve quality of life."
"Now the model is Thelma and Louise, and we are all in the car, and the cliff is right in front of us."
"if we do not get this solved through technology, through systems reform, through better quality care, through a more rational payment system, then we will get to the edge of that cliff."
"But I think you are quite correct that this is the next area for these investigations to go."
"If we seek subpoena power, we would go to the Commission."
"Would an issue of this magnitude or this repetition or this seriousness be brought to the attention of individual Commissioners or the Commission?"
"We are on a very bad glide slope for health care in this country with a $30-plus trillion liability just for Federal health care benefits that is totally unfunded."
"One is with a very bloody toolbox comprised of benefits cuts, throwing people off coverage, paying providers less, and raising taxes."
"Those of us who have been watching this thing for a while have seen this number move."
"I could not agree with you more about that."
"This is an interagency effort, that military action will buy time, but without effective economic development, political institution capacity-building, it will be a very difficult challenge ahead."
"I believe the DOD can play a dual role of investing in advanced research and manufacturing of new energy technologies."
"What steps will you take to improve the quality of the laboratories' technical workforce and research infrastructure?"
"Thirty-plus trillion dollars is an astonishing liability to have to face, and I believe that there are only two ways to face it."
"Secretary Gates, do you plan on focusing more effort on energy research and on investing in manufacturing of advanced energy technologies?"
"What are the major challenges you see facing DOD laboratories and technical centers as they seek to stay technically competitive with their Federal, industry, academic, and global peers?"
