Political Quotes

“First, I say to the Senator from Nevada that Senator Coverdell had a bill that he passed called the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997. It specifically provides protection for volunteers, including physicians, who provide pro bono services. So I suggest to my colleague, I don't know if he thinks there is a problem with that law or the way it is written. There is no way for me to know that based on this amendment. But a specific law already covers this subject matter. It was passed by the Senate and signed into law in 1997. So, first, I suggest that my colleague look at that law and make sure what he is concerned about is not covered by it. Second, this Bipartisan Patient Protection Act is about HMO reform. It is not about physician liability or the lack thereof--either of those. We would certainly have a problem with adding an amendment to this legislation that is not related to the issue of HMO reform. So I say to my colleague, again, understanding that we are just seeing his amendment, in fairness, I will be happy to talk with him about it, but those were my immediate concerns.”