Richard Burr: “as you spoke on this bill, you inspired me to come back over for another opportunity to talk. To put in context why we…”

“as you spoke on this bill, you inspired me to come back over for another opportunity to talk. To put in context why we are here, you have to talk about where we have been this week. We started this week focused on exactly what you raised, and that was the inflation factors that go into health care. On Monday, we were slated to consider two different proposals. One was a proposal that limited the liability that all medical professionals have, and we have seen liability premiums rise at a rate that is unsustainable for doctors across the country. That bill was quickly questioned as to whether we would bring it to the floor. Some argued that there was no need to; it is not a problem. We were forced to have a vote on whether we could proceed to consider the bill. We didn't vote on the bill. We didn't offer amendments on the bill. We had a vote on whether we could proceed, which requires 60 Members of the Senate to support. We didn't get 60 votes. The American people didn't get cost reductions because some in this body chose not to extend the privilege of debate and the voice of the American people in the amendment process into that bill. We turned around and we introduced another bill. The bill's coverage applied to those specialists who are OB/GYNs; in other words, individuals who deliver babies, something that is vital in this country. I know the Presiding Officer is, in fact, an OB/GYN. He delivers babies.…”