Political Quotes

“I think that is ironic, because the gentleman and I know, as Democratic Members of Congress, oftentimes we have been accused of not trusting the States and local control. I bring to Congress 20 years of service in the Texas legislature, and I know that these halls do not have infinite wisdom, although there is not infinite wisdom in the halls of the legislature either, but I also like the idea of 50 States being able to make that decision on lots of things and particularly in this area. Let us let the State liability law provide for the people that are covered by ERISA. Doctors and health care providers should be in charge of medical care decisions. When patients need immediate care, doctors need to be able to provide that quality health care. I believe that these basic protections are fundamental to maintain a high quality medical care in our country. I do not believe that managed care is inherently bad. In fact, I think it has reduced a cost increase, as we have seen over the last few years, but I believe that, like any other system, you have to provide some protections, patient protections, so managed care does not just throw out the baby with the bath water, so to speak; that we have the benefits of managed care with the cost containment, but we also have the benefits of quality health care and physician and health care provider contact with their patients.”