Political Quotes

“It should be clear to all those following this debate that our medical litigation system is failing the American people. It is failing our communities, our hospitals, our doctors, our families and, most importantly, our patients. Unfortunately, this system hurts our most vulnerable patients the most--those needing help from highly trained medical specialists like neurosurgeons and obstetricians. Reform of this broken system is desperately needed, and we must act. The upcoming vote will allow us to fully debate this critical issue. If Members have problems with certain parts of the bill that is fine. Let's move to the bill, offer amendments, and fully debate this needed reform. But if action is delayed, we know what will happen: patients will suffer, women will suffer and babies will suffer. Those seeking care from emergency rooms and trauma centers will suffer. OB/GYNs will continue to flee their practices and drop obstetrical services, and more doctors will refuse to perform vitally needed emergency services. I remind my colleagues that our current litigation system does more than simply threaten access to care. It indirectly costs the country billions of dollars every year in defensive medicine.”