Would the Senator address two questions, please. First, the fact that the HMOs are denying and not covering patients needing and having access to clinical trials--would he first talk a little about, from his experience and from talking to…

This information is so important to this discussion. Is the Senator saying that as of the time of this study in 1999, 14,000 doctors a day are being overruled by HMOs when they recommend prescription drugs? In other words, a patient comes…

There was a discussion yesterday in this Senate Chamber about the issue of employer liability. The Senator from Tennessee suggested, a few minutes ago, he thought the intent of both bills was to protect employers from liability. I agree…

Let me speak briefly and then yield the floor to my colleagues on the other side from whom we welcome hearing on this issue. First, we have now had a number of speakers who have addressed the issues that have been discussed over the course…

I thank the Senator for a number of things. No. 1, for the eloquence of his speech, because it was so well thought out, so clearly spoken that anyone listening would have understood it. No. 2, for talking about the actual experience as…

What we do in this bill is we give the Secretary of Labor responsibility for setting up the process. But in setting up the process, the Secretary is required to not allow any of the people involved to be able to influence who is on the…

The law for many years in this country has been on the side of big HMOs and insurance companies. They have been treated like no other person in America is treated, like no other business, small or large; they are privileged citizens. The…

the great thing about debate on the floor of the Senate--particularly extended debate--is that we get past the high-pitched rhetoric and actually get to the facts. I want to respond briefly to some of the comments of my friend and…

one of the reasons we are beginning this important discussion of an issue that will affect the lives of so many Americans is that for years now you have helped lead the fight on HMO reform, on a real Patients' Bill of Rights and on patient…

I suggest that he read the principles because the language of this legislation comes directly from the President's principles.

The President specifically provided he does not want employers to be sued unless they make medical decisions. Our legislation does exactly that. The language completely conforms, in almost identical language, to the President's principle…

in today's Washington Post, President Bush was quoted as saying those who disagree with his faith-based initiatives ``do not understand the power of faith.'' He then referred ``to the skeptics of faith in our society.'' Mr. Speaker, I…

Public service comes in many forms. When individuals and groups provide extraordinary services to our Nation, they deserve the appreciation of our Congress and our country. Such is the case today with Clear Channel Communications and the…

The Senator is right, we have made great strides, but I have been in elementary schools where there are no bathrooms inside the building, the roof is leaking, the floors are crumbling; they are covered up with little pieces of carpet. To…

the debate we are having this week and next week on education reform in this country may be the most important debate we have in the Senate this year. Education is probably the most important thing we do as a government. We have the best…

As the Senator well knows, there is nothing we do that is more important. These things all go together. I have been in these Head Start centers; I have been in these Smart Start centers; I see the effect they have on these kids' lives. It…

This program has been extraordinarily effective. But the key to this is, it is just one step in the right direction. We need to be doing much more, much more to attract more quality students to the teaching profession, much more to hang…

Mr. President, the key to this--in this debate, and in our discussion, our dialog with the American people--is that we tell them the truth. We do not know what is going to happen 5 or 6 years from now. In addition to that, we have to be…

I will first thank my friends Senator McCain and Senator Feingold for their extraordinary leadership. It has been a wonderful honor for me to participate in this very important debate in our history. The American people deserve a democracy…

I rise today to note with sadness the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt. For the past week, the Nation has mourned the loss of a racing legend. But in my home State of North Carolina, his death has a special significance because we have lost…

for too long the law has been on the side of HMO's and big insurance companies. It is time we give power back to patients and families and doctors. Nearly every one of us has had some sort of bad experience with an HMO or an insurance…

Mr. President, the Nation is emerging from an extraordinarily close election that has left much of the country feeling divided. It is a time when all of us have an enormous responsibility to unite our country. In order to unite this…

how would you feel if someone was eavesdropping on your private phone conversations without your knowledge? Well, if it happened to me, I would be very disturbed. And I think that most Americans would be very disturbed to know that…

it is my belief that prayer is nothing less than heartfelt communication with our Creator. I believe in the power of prayer and the reverence for prayer and the sanctity of prayer. That is why I believe any debate on prayer and religious…

today, this House honors Mr. Zachary Fisher for his generous and tireless efforts on behalf of America's servicemen and women and veterans. I never knew Mr. Fisher personally, but his spirit of gratitude for our veterans and their…