Political Quotes

“as we are now full swing into the health care debate, I want to share with my colleagues a success story from my home State of New Hampshire. The two largest hospitals in Manchester, NH, have just completed a long and hard trek through Department of Justice bureaucracy to receive permission to merge their two hospitals into one. After spending over $1 million in legal fees, the Elliot Hospital and the Catholic Medical Center will now combine to become one of the most cost-effective and technologically advanced facilities in the country. But most importantly, the people of southern New Hampshire will benefit. The two hospitals, a mere 3 miles apart, will now eliminate duplication of services such as separate MRI machines, they will streamline administration, and improve outcomes. Current estimates put savings at over $150 million in the first 10 years. My colleagues should take note of this accomplishment, and should support efforts to allow these types of mergers to go forward. Antitrust reform needs to be a major part of any health care reform package. The ones who will benefit the most are the citizens of America.”