Norvell Emerson: “I applaud the work of the gentleman from California [Mr. Thomas] and the Subcommittee on Health to save Medicare from…”

“I applaud the work of the gentleman from California [Mr. Thomas] and the Subcommittee on Health to save Medicare from bankruptcy. This was not an easy task and they are to be commended for developing a sound bipartisan bill for America's senior citizens. There were provisions in the bill I disagreed with, but they were not sufficient to cause me to vote against the plan to save Medicare. However, had the resident reduction program been a stand-alone bill, I would have opposed the plan. Quite frankly, I do not believe it is good policy to subsidize teaching institutions for not teaching doctors. Earlier this year, I formed a health care advisory team in my district and the most glaring problem we defined in rural southern Missouri is a shortage of primary care physicians. I can understand that there are some regions in this country where there may be a physician glut. However, in rural Missouri ours is not the problem of too many primary care physicians but too few. Mr. Chairman, the amendment I have proposed today would simply seek a guarantee that the voluntary residency reduction plan will not lead to fewer primary care physicians who are available to practice in rural areas. Mr. Chairman, it makes no sense to pay not to produce doctors. While I understand the merits of the point of order against my amendment, I would like to make it clear for the record that the intent of my amendment is to prevent the Government from paying to produce fewer doctors.”