Nathan Deal: “I am both amused and somewhat dismayed by some of the things that have been said here today. First of all, as a trial…”

“I am both amused and somewhat dismayed by some of the things that have been said here today. First of all, as a trial attorney, it is amusing to see my good friend the plastic surgeon cross-examining my other good friend, a dentist. But be that as it may, there are a lot of things that have been said here. First of all, on the issue of preemption, I think the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg) said it well. If States could do the things that we are seeking to do in this legislation, then let States do it. It is the very fact they cannot that is the necessity for the Federal legislation that we are attempting to put in place here today. Many who would speak against his efforts have been here for decades and saw no reason to go forward with the effort of a patients' bill of rights, and to them I say, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood) should be your hero. For those who would denigrate his methods or motives, I would simply say to them, this issue would not be here today on the brink of becoming law had it not been for his dedication.”