Political Quotes

“This bill which is pending before the Senate addresses a very serious national issue of medical malpractice. Medical malpractice insurance premiums have increased in my State of Illinois and across the Nation. Because of those increases, a lot of good doctors have been forced to a position where they have to retire or relocate their practices. I have met with those doctors. I understand the problems and dilemmas they face. I think we need to address that here in the Congress. This point is dramatized by the fact that the bill before us is unfortunately not a bill which has been the product of any effort to find compromise or common ground or bipartisan answer to this national challenge. This bill without referral to committee was sent to the floor of the Senate. It is a bill which, frankly, was introduced by Senator Gregg of New Hampshire, a bill which ordinarily would have been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill did not go to that committee. Senator Gregg does not serve on that committee. The bill was sent to the floor. I am afraid what this bill is all about is trying to make certain we make a record rollcall on this issue so that those who are supporting this bill will go back to some members of the medical committee and say all Senators who voted against it don't want to help you with increasing medical practice premiums.”