Tom Coburn: “I find the just previous comments rather strange. We have just supported title X, which is totally unauthorized, on the…”

“I find the just previous comments rather strange. We have just supported title X, which is totally unauthorized, on the floor of this House, without any objection from Mr. Obey whatsoever that the authorizing committee did not do his work. There was no problem with him supporting that language. And to use an argument against a Member of this body, who has the right and privilege to offer any amendment under this bill, under the rules of this bill, is wrong, and it should not be allowed. The other thing that Mr. Obey brings up is that if you do this, business is going to have to learn something new. Well, I would put forward to Mr. Obey that HCFA changes the rules on Medicare every year, and every hospital in this country, every doctor's office, every health care agency that does anything, has to totally relearn the rules that HCFA puts out. It is a lame excuse that should not be used. The fact is, there has not been a growth to allow for inflation in the coverage of the NLRB. The NLRB does some very important things. But to waste their time in areas which is not well used and not wisely spent, I think is inappropriate.”