I would like to comment a moment on the medical error and staffing issue.

I see a lot of heads nodding out there.

We agree with you, Chairman Durbin. We do not believe that immigration is the answer to the emerging nursing shortage.

What can we do to make sure that the food worker at some hospital even considers the possibility of being an LPN or an RN?

If we are dealing with a national nursing shortage, and we have stagnant wages and deteriorating working conditions, should we be surprised?

The technology exists to put a scale in that bed and not have to move the patient.

We have got to find a way to establish standards that make the workplace safer for these employees.

If I heard you correctly, if that is present, when you are asked to fill in in an emergency situation, you have a much different attitude toward that request.

I noted in your testimony that State legislatures have, in at least 10 States, entertained legislation to limit mandatory overtime to protect nurses.

Well, maybe we can get some of that information from the next panel.

Nurses and nurse aides have some of the highest workplace injuries.

I applaud you, Chairman Durbin, for your efforts to develop legislation to ban the use of mandatory overtime.

Well, I think technology can play a role in making life a little easier.

I think that really addresses the issues raised by the Senator from Colorado. First, we are saying to employees of small businesses that you are not going to receive the protection of others with health insurance. Secondly, even though the…

While I listened to the Senator from Colorado explain the increase in premiums, he suggested premiums had gone up 12 percent last year, and they anticipated they would come up 13 percent nationwide this year and the following year, which…

I recall, before my election to Congress, running a law office and buying health insurance for myself and my employees. I recall the experience when I went to one of the larger health insurance companies to cover my employees. So the…

So this will, in fact, limit the protections for employees of small businesses across America so that if you go to work for a small business, you just won't have the right to specialty care, to the drugs your doctor thinks are necessary to…

Research that leads to these drugs and this medical equipment funded by American taxpayers?

The Republicans and those supporting their positions cannot come to this floor and argue, I think, with a straight face that American families don't need protection when it comes to their own health insurance. They are not standing here…

I will vote on the Patients' Bill of Rights. And we know this amendment should not be in it because it is a tax provision.

I would like to address, in the closing time, this whole question of liability. In America, if you go out and do something wrong, if you are negligent, guilty of wrongdoing, we have a system of accountability. If you drink too much at a…

I am sure the Senator's figures are accurate. I wouldn't question them. But the Senator knows, if you are going to total up the medical profession, where they come down on which bill, you don't have a chance, my friend. They are all on…

The health insurance industry--and the Senator knows this--objects to, opposes the bipartisan bill which I support. They would gladly accept your alternative because it is much more preferable to them because it is more profitable to them…

The fact that he has stood up and announced last Friday that he has tried to work with the HMOs, tried to work with the Republican leadership and with the White House and has virtually given up because they, frankly, will not support a…

I want to address in morning business an issue, which will be the focus of debate in the Senate for the next 2 weeks. Many times our debates in this Chamber are about issues that a lot of people across America wonder what can this possibly…