Tom Coburn: “Mr. Chairman, this is about looking at perspective and motivation and what our charge is as physicians as we look at…”

“Mr. Chairman, this is about looking at perspective and motivation and what our charge is as physicians as we look at health care in this country, and every physician, every provider, takes an oath to put patients and their well-being first. This amendment simply protects Federal employees the way we have protected Medicaid and Medicare patients by saying there cannot be a perverse incentive to not put the patient first, and it also states that in doing so, the well-being of the patient will be put first. This amendment is supported by over 123 provider groups. It is vastly supported by Members of the House. It is a start back down the road where physicians are asked to do the right thing, to not be placed in the position in a competitive environment where they sacrifice quality care for their own livelihood, and this amendment prohibits that in regard to Federal employees.”