Jon L. Christensen: “One of the most important tenets of the oath we take as physicians is that we must do no harm. This is to guide us in…”

“One of the most important tenets of the oath we take as physicians is that we must do no harm. This is to guide us in our practice and our interactions with both our patients and society. The Medicare bill that will be before us today will do much harm by threatening to take away retiree prescription drug coverage. By refusing to provide wraparound coverage for poor seniors and disabled on Medicare, it will exclude many poor, disabled, and elderly by means testing, and most of all it will begin to destroy this important program which so many depend on and need. Mr. Speaker, if this bill were to pass tomorrow, it would not help one senior next year. We have time to do it right and fulfill the promise we made to provide a comprehensive plan. Physicians, do not allow our profession to be used to pass a bad bill or hurt our patients. I urge physicians to call their representatives and tell them to vote 'no.' I urge my colleagues to vote 'no.' Whether physician or Member of Congress, above all we must do no harm.”