Political Quotes

“I thank my colleague from Oklahoma. I could not have said it any better or more effectively than he just did. Like Oklahoma, downstate Illinois has an area of smaller cities and rural towns and smalltown communities. Many of them are lucky enough to have great hospitals, and they love their hospitals. They are not only important sources of medical care; they are a major part of the local economy and really are a rallying point for communities. Auxiliaries, volunteers, and so many people make these hospitals the focal point when you visit these communities. They are so proud of them. Of course, we are worried about what this current pandemic is going to do. I have had conference calls with leaders from almost 120 hospitals across Illinois. I invited Members of Congress in, so we had bipartisan exchanges about the current state of affairs. One hospital CEO from Crawford County, downstate along the Indiana border, told me that he used to pay 22 cents for a surgical gown, and now he pays between $11 and $20 for each one. Hospitals are facing limited access to reagents, swabs, and supplies that they need. The Heroes Act would direct the administration to utilize the Defense Production Act to help solve that problem, and I commend Senators Murphy and Baldwin for their legislation, which I am joining, to do the same. One of the most profound consequences of the pandemic is the impact on the solvency of these hospitals.…”