Andrea Joy Campbell: “the Senate has begun to consider sweeping legislation which, if passed and enacted, will have significant consequences…”

“the Senate has begun to consider sweeping legislation which, if passed and enacted, will have significant consequences for all Americans and our health care system. This is an unprecedented opportunity to frame the debate for improving the quality of health care in this country. As most Americans know, we here in America have the best medical care in the world. The question is how to make that excellent care accessible and affordable for all Americans. We have an excellent health care system in our Nation, yet there are those who are not able to get good care when they need it. And, there are many in our Nation who tax and over-use the system. Somewhere between the excellence of our medical procedures and the demands placed upon them, we have a problem with delivery. In the debate now underway, we will be grappling with big questions. How do we make that excellent care available to everyone? Who gets the care? Who pays? Who is accountable? Those are the questions that need to be answered. Common sense demands we act reasonably in answering those questions. The debate is about the American right to have access to the best health care available. It is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It is a national issue as important as any we face, and to keep score now does not address our Nation's best interest. Let me be very clear: the best thing we can do for Americans is to ensure, and when possible, expand their access to quality, affordable health care.”