Byron Dorgan: “we look at this and, in many ways, see the same side. I think the Senator from Oklahoma and I see a situation in which…”

“we look at this and, in many ways, see the same side. I think the Senator from Oklahoma and I see a situation in which gripping poverty exists in many areas, joblessness, inadequate health care. The Senator from Oklahoma is correct there are circumstances--I have been there, I have seen them--where the health care is wonderful. I toured a clinic recently and the doctor--a wonderful doctor at that clinic working for the Indian Health Service, who is very dedicated and by all accounts a terrific doctor--said to me: You know, we are waiting for this new x-ray equipment that is supposed to come. The waiting room is full, by the way. The building is in disrepair, it is an old building, but the doctor is giving me a tour, and he says: We are waiting for this x-ray machine which is really going to help us out. I said: How long have you been waiting? He said: Two years. I said: What is the trouble? He said: Well, I wish I knew. It is paperwork. Can't get it through the regional office. The money is there. The money is there for it, but we can't get the regional office to get the paperwork done to get the x-ray machine. So the Senator from Oklahoma and I both know there are circumstances where there is unbelievable bureaucracy that is almost shameful, and nothing gets done. There are other areas where there is sterling medical care by men and women who, in that service, get up every morning and say: I want to make a difference in the lives of people.…”