Political Quotes

“Thank goodness they are not going to have to wait a generation for a Democratic President. This bill, Madam Speaker, is a good resolution to a political impasse and a good solution to the hindering cuts that impede our Nation's physicians and would impact on the health care of our young people and our seniors. It makes a substantial adjustment for physicians who participate in the Medicare program, albeit only temporary. Although I would have liked to have seen a more permanent and comprehensive solution to a range of Medicare issues, we just couldn't wait and allow 10 percent cuts in payments to physicians to occur. I hope to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on a more permanent solution in the upcoming year to this particularly thorny issue. The legislation before us also endorses important issues that I have fought hard to be involved with and to make progress on, including extending the exceptions process for therapy caps and a revision of the policy structure for long-term care hospitals. Those are legacy issues that we are going to have to take up sooner rather than later. I am glad we have a final resolution temporarily on SCHIP. Thank you. I urge a vote for the bill.”