Political Quotes

“I would like to give my support, though reluctantly, to H.R. 4567, the Medicare Home Health Care and Veteran Health Care Improvement Act. First, I would like to extend thanks to Chairman Thomas, Bliley, Stump, Archer and Bilirakis for their hard work and countless hours spent crafting this legislation. I would also like to thank members from both sides of the aisle who have worked tirelessly on this subject, especially Congressmen Rahall, Aderholt, Coburn, Pappas, Stabenow, and Weygand. If not for their hard work and perseverance, we would not even have this bill before us today. This bill does wonderful things for both our veterans and those in need of kidney dialysis treatment. However, it is woefully inadequate in terms of its aid to home health. For our veterans, it gives those who have served our country so proudly the right to receive Medicare benefits at VA facilities. This bill will open up access and help ease the financial burden that many of our veterans would otherwise face and create more flexibility on their medical care through a process known as ``subvention.'' Under subvention VA facilities would be able to provide efficient and affordable ``one-stop'' shopping for veteran medical services. I am proud to support this initiative. This bill also does a tremendous job for those kidney patients who need better access to dialysis machines.”