Charles Rangel: “I wish we weren't legislating this way, as the gentleman has pointed out, on the suspension calendar, but as you know…”

“I wish we weren't legislating this way, as the gentleman has pointed out, on the suspension calendar, but as you know, it's difficult working with the other House. They have our CHAMP bill over there, and there is no telling what we might do if we don't come right now and deal with this emergency before these provisions expire. This would allow the Secretary to add preventative benefits without waiting for the Congress. It would help us out in Medicare. And we have been able to gather the support of the doctors, the hospitals, the pharmacists, those that are concerned with durable medical expenses, the dialysis people, wheelchair. And so we made an attempt, even though it is patchwork and it's not a piece of legislation we're proud of. But if we don't move in this House, the effects of not doing anything would be more detrimental than trying to get a perfect bill. We have been working desperately hard to try to get something that all of the people could agree to, but, unfortunately, we haven't had an opportunity to do that. And we also are concerned with the teaching hospitals with suggestions that we have heard that they would pay for the whole thing when we know that a physician's fee for service is an area that should equally bear the costs of trying to get this legislation through. So I really don't think we have much of a choice. Our votes are being recorded. People are watching what we do. And I do hope that we can do a better job next year.”