Political Quotes

“While we are debating this bill, Americans are concerned about the pending health care legislation. Americans know that advances in medical research are a strength of the American health care system and should be encouraged instead of restricted by additional layers of redtape. Unfortunately, this misguided health care legislation would reduce Medicare payments to CAT scan and MRI providers. It also creates a 2.9 percent excise tax on medical device manufacturers. The lowered payments and increased taxes can reduce the availability of new and advancing medical imaging technology. This will inhibit future innovation in medical research and will delay or deny patient access to new and valuable technologies. Continued innovation that improves patient-centered medicine is vital to the long-term availability of health care services in America. This is just one example of the number of provisions buried in this pending health care bill. The unintended consequences of lowering payments and increasing taxes will constrain future research and development and hinder our doctors' ability to deliver the best quality care to our patients. This pending health care legislation will end up restricting the innovation and invention which is at the heart of the American economy. And for that reason, I strongly oppose the bill, and we should be debating that bill today.”