Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise tonight in opposition to H.R. 3. As a practicing surgeon for the last 30 years, I believe I give somewhat of a unique perspective on the unbearable high price of prescription drugs, an issue that all Americans can agree upon. I have seen patients and continue to see patients who simply cannot afford their medications. We all agree on this problem. Unfortunately, however, H.R. 3 is, while well intentioned, a poorly executed solution. Healthcare economics are unique, a fact that many here do not realize. Price controls do not work in healthcare. There is evidence to show that, in countries that implement price controls, only a fraction of medicines that come to market are actually available. I should know. I have worked across the globe. I have worked in places where I have tried to prescribe medications that I thought were best for patients, only to have government prevent me from doing so. In Australia, for example, only 36 percent of new drugs released between 2011 and 2018 were available. Canada and the United Kingdom hardly fared better with 46 and 59 percent. The American public does not deserve to be shortchanged. In my 30 years as a practicing surgeon, I have seen new drugs and treatments become available that 20, 10, and even 5 years ago patients could have only dreamed of. But curative therapies do not occur overnight. They occur by innovative and dedicated scientists who continue to be on the cutting edge of research and development.…”