Political Quotes

“there is no more important part of this year's final budget negotiations than the provisions we debate today on Medicare reimbursement levels. This debate is not about dollars or statistics. It's about the toll that past cutbacks have taken on our health care system. I've visited with hospital CEO's and workers throughout Western Pennsylvania and seen their frustration at not being able to provide the full care their patients need. I've gone on home health care visits where citizens simply can't understand the cutbacks that make it harder for them to stay in their homes. I've exchanged emails with families of organ transplant recipients who can't understand why immunosuppressive drugs are only covered for a limited time period. And in our largely rural area, I've spoken with citizens who are concerned about the loss of their neighborhood hospital, who fear a longer trip to an emergency center that can literally mean the difference between life and death, and who can't understand why the health care professionals at area hospitals are so stretched and lacking Medicare support. People understand that we have the finest health care system in the world and the finest-trained professionals. But we must not hinder that system--we must provide the support that allows those professionals to do their jobs fully. The Medicare relief legislation helps to move us toward that goal. In no area more than health care does our debate need to be nonpartisan and goal-oriented.…”