Political Quotes

“I have visited hospitals many times in our State. In fact, there are 128 community hospitals in Kansas, and I have visited each and every one of them once and, in many instances, two or three times. In fact, last weekend while I was home in Kansas, I visited my hometown hospital, Mercy, in Manhattan, KS. It is a very useful exercise. I would encourage my colleagues to spend time with health care providers. In the case of hospitals, it gives you the opportunity to visit with hospital administrators, the CEOs, the opportunity to visit with the nurses, patients, with physicians, and get a feel for what is going on in the delivery of health care in your State. I certainly know how valuable that is to me. One of the interests I have in serving in Congress is a belief that the way we live our lives at home in Kansas is something very special, and it is something that is worth trying to make certain is around for many years to come--in fact, for generations to come. One of my early conclusions, in looking at public policy and looking at the future of the communities of Kansas and the people who live there, is the access to health care, to affordable health care, is critical. It is a component in which many communities will not continue to exist if there is not access to hospital care, a physician, a hometown pharmacy--all the things that make up the opportunity for someone to be cared for in every aspect of their lives related to their health.…”