Political Quotes

“Recently, there has been a series of very powerful articles in the popular press about what we call ``end of life.'' The most recent was by Dr. Ken Murray in The Wall Street Journal last week, entitled, ``Why Doctors Die Differently.'' This series of articles focuses in on this end of life period--usually the most intense, the most painful, the most expensive. It's too often confusing for patients and their families. Too often, we find that people don't get the care they want and they need. This has been a passion of mine for years now to make sure that families and patients are equipped to deal with the end of life. It was my legislation that was in the health care reform that was, unfortunately, not in the final legislation because the reconciliation process wouldn't allow the Senate to consider it in the House bill. We're working on it again with legislation entitled Personalize Your Health Care, H.R. 1589, to make sure that these provisions that are strongly supported by the public finally become law. I think, perhaps, the best case that I have seen for this legislation is found by Dr. Murray in his article, ``Why Doctors Die Differently.'' It is a simple, powerful, two-page statement explaining the hows and whys. Doctors actually do pass away, but they pass away differently. What is interesting is that, of these who are well off and connected to the medical care profession, it's not how much health care they get in their final months but actually how little.…”