Nancy Kassebaum: “I care just as much as the Senator from Massachusetts or the Senator from Oregon about the quality of health care. We…”

“I care just as much as the Senator from Massachusetts or the Senator from Oregon about the quality of health care. We all do in this Chamber. There is a process, unfortunately--or fortunately--under which we operate around. That process requires us to do some things to assure that issues are considered with some thoroughness, and I believe that is appropriate. I agree in many ways, in all ways, actually, on the principle to which the Senator from Oregon and the Senator from Massachusetts are speaking. Patients should have access to complete and accurate information regarding their health care. None of us here in this Chamber disagree with that concept, or with the concept that doctors should be allowed to share that information with their patients. Patients' communications with their doctor should be protected. I think we would all feel this is a prime concern. It is a vital part of the health care process. I have a great deal of sympathy for the motivations behind the amendment that is offered by Senators Wyden and Kennedy. However, I believe it would simply be irresponsible to approve it in the absence of any review or discussion of its provisions at any level in the U.S. Senate.”