Richard Burr: “I am going to be here numerous times this week. This legislation is too important to have it shortcut. There is not…”

“I am going to be here numerous times this week. This legislation is too important to have it shortcut. There is not enough time in the debate to say it all at one time. Last night, this body had the opportunity to vote on proceeding to changes to the liability crisis that exists in health care today, but the minority denied us the ability to move forward. They denied the ability of the American people to hear an honest debate, to consider thoughtful amendments, and then to judge up or down on the content of the legislation. They had two opportunities: liability that was reform for all medical professionals; and, then, liability that was only changed for those who are OB/GYNs--that next generation of medical professionals who are going to deliver our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren, that profession that is going to regenerate the population of this country and, in fact, is suffering today because of the high rate of liability costs for the premiums they have to have. Now we are here. We are in debate--30 hours of debate--to see if we can proceed on a bill to bring small business group health insurance reforms into law, to enable small businesses in America to be able to price insurance for their employees in the same way large corporations are able to produce products for their employees. Today, small businesses' choice is between nothing and nothing. It is not something and something. It is nothing and nothing. And what will we do?…”