Michael Burgess

The security of our Nation's weapons facilities is not an issue that divides or should divide along party lines.

Back in 2010, Chairman Emeritus Barton was ranking member. He and I wrote to the Secretary expressing our concerns...

I just pray that 10 years from now another Congress is not having another hearing over the same sorts of failures.

I would appreciate some follow-up on this because clearly there is a concern.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Mr. Langlois and Mr. Greene, thank you both for being here today.

It is languishing, and we are coming up on 3 years.

Let us see that it is implemented.

It has been almost 3 years since this was signed into law. It is important stuff.

It is important that we make some progress: I will tell you what.

As I understand, the last report was in 2006.

In Congress, we get criticized for passing mandates and then not living under them ourselves.

I appreciate the recognition.

Mr. Waxman made a point about that he wanted to see things that were common sense directions and applied in a reasonable manner.

I referenced how in my own personal life I have made energy efficiency decisions that were based upon what I would consider would be the correct market signals.

I think this is a matter of some importance, and since the Department of Energy is involved in this, and this may have a direct effect on our economy generally.

The number one question everyone in my district is asking is why are gas prices so high right now?

I am a big believer in energy efficiency. I do think that is the low-hanging fruit.

Activated patients cared about the cost of their care... that patient who has a financial interest, a health savings account owner, for example, in my estimation would be an activated patient.

The most valuable thing I have is my time, and if I have got an uninsured patient and I can take care of them at an outpatient surgery site... I am actually ahead even though I didn't make any money that day

I think it is unfortunate that we have had a huge migration of cardiologists out of office to become hospital employees.

We have come to an unfortunate place in our country where it is prohibited for a doctor to own a hospital but hospitals can own doctors.

Let us remember, an accountable care organization begs the question, accountable to whom.

It is not decentralization, it is recentralization.

It is unrealistic assumptions of spending and efficiency. It has certainly plagued this committee, but really, the important thing is, it has been a problem for doctors and it has been a real problem for beneficiaries at a time when…

You can just imagine, though, the frustration in 2005 we are told we are 3 to 5 years away.