Al Franken actually said...

"Even under Minnesota's progressive State law, the influence of industry on healthcare is rampant."

"It's counterproductive to be discussing reforming the healthcare system while allowing industry to maintain its hold on physicians' decisions."

"As lawmakers, I believe it is our job to remove barriers that create unnecessary costs and unethical influence in the healthcare system."

"I'm proud that my State of Minnesota was the first State to enact legislation, in 1993, requiring public reporting of drug-company marketing payments to doctors."