Thomas Daschle: “I don't know that there is a greater crisis in our country today than in what we are witnessing with providers in rural…”

“I don't know that there is a greater crisis in our country today than in what we are witnessing with providers in rural and urban areas alike. Whether it is doctors or nurses, facilities, nursing homes--the crisis is as severe as any that I have seen in our lifetime. Secondly, there are those who say this process ought to go through an appropriate legislative process, the way we would normally do things. I couldn't agree more that the legislative process is a good one and we ought to respect it. But we have talked about providing relief, now, for years. There is a great deal in this bill that we are now supporting that had nothing to do with the legislative process or committee consideration. This is an emergency that has to be addressed. I don't know how much longer we can wait.”