Mike Conaway: “Here in Washington, in these hallowed Halls, we have the power to do many things. At times, it might appear as if there…”

“Here in Washington, in these hallowed Halls, we have the power to do many things. At times, it might appear as if there is no riddle so complex that the careful arrangement of words on a paper cannot overcome it. Indeed, the very rationale behind the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act was to solve forever the Gordian knot of equality in our citizens' access to health care. Yet, for all its words, commands, prescriptions, and boards in the bill, Richard Foster, the chief actuary of CMS, has laid bare an essential truth about these mandates. Mr. Speaker, they have consequences. On page 10 of his recent report, Mr. Foster states unequivocally that this bill will make hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other part A providers unprofitable. It's clear to me, Mr. Speaker, that while we in Washington can pass words on paper that guarantee all Americans health care, that the doctors and hospitals throughout America may not be around long enough to provide them care. More jobs, Mr. Speaker, lost to wrong-headed policies being forced upon the American people by this majority.”