Max Baucus: “it is often said that, ``Good health and good sense are two of life's greatest blessings.'' Senators Grassley, Jeffords…”

“it is often said that, ``Good health and good sense are two of life's greatest blessings.'' Senators Grassley, Jeffords, and I hope to further the cause of good health and good sense today, through introduction of the Health Care Safety Net Oversight Act of 2000. Mr. President, currently no entity oversees America's health care safety net. This means that all safety net providers--including rural health clinics, community heath centers and emergency rooms--are laboring on their own. They are like master musicians performing without a conductor. Each is trying their hardest and performing their part--but no one is coordinating their efforts. No one is able to tell an actor when his services will be needed, or when he can take a break. This act changes that, by creating the Safety Net Organizations and Patient Advisory Commission, an independent and nonpartisan commission to monitor the stability of the health care safety net. What does this mean? The Safety Net is made up of providers that deliver health services to the uninsured and vulnerable populations across America. These providers are often a last resort for patients who are unable to afford the health care they need and have nowhere else to turn. In my state, we have about 30 community health centers and rural health clinics, serving an estimated 80,000 persons per year. That translates into about one in ten Montanans.”