Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the House, the Senate and the President for having the courage to attack the important issue of health care. I also want to recognize that the legislation passed by this House in November takes a huge leap forward in addressing the issue of paying for value in health care. The current payment system rewards volume and quantity rather than quality and outcomes. We waste hundreds of billions of dollars every year on tests and procedures that do not improve patient health. We need to change the incentive system. We need doctors and hospitals to work together to coordinate care based around patient need. In my district in southern Minnesota, the Mayo Clinic has done exactly that. There are other institutions around the country that also provide high-quality, low-cost, efficient care. This is the one issue that both sides can agree on. Yesterday in Roll Call, led by the Mayo Clinic, the Chamber of Commerce, Cleveland Clinic and other insurers, they stated: reforming health care in America will not become easier with the passage of time. We encourage all stakeholders, government officials, patients, families, insurers, doctors and nurses to work together to pass reforms that provide quality, affordable health care for Americans. This is the path to true health care reform that will strengthen our economy, take care of America's families, and grow jobs. ____________________”