Political Quotes

“Senator Coverdell offered legislation in 1997, as the Senator referred to, called the Volunteer Protection Act that does what this amendment is aimed at. It provides specific protection for people who provide volunteer services. Physicians are included in that legislation. Further, there is a specific provision in that legislation which provides that State laws can remain in effect and States are given wide latitude to opt out and enact their own legislation on this issue. There is no such provision in this amendment. Legislation, offered by Senator Coverdell and passed in 1997, covers this issue. If the Senator wants to attempt to amend that legislation, that would be the appropriate vehicle, not this vehicle. This legislation we are debating today is the Bipartisan Patient Protection Act. It is about HMO accountability and HMO reform. These issues that are not directly related to HMO reform and HMO accountability do not belong on this legislation. For that reason, we oppose this particular amendment.”