Thomas Foley: “If we listen to the other side of the aisle, we get a clear theme coming out this morning. If it is not our way, send it…”

“If we listen to the other side of the aisle, we get a clear theme coming out this morning. If it is not our way, send it down the highway. They say bipartisanship, but all they do is deride the things we have worked so hard for. I have worked with the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood) since 1995 on a Patients' Bill of Rights and that man's heart is with patients. Their hearts are with trial lawyers. If we want to see how quick it is to file an action in court to get health care relief, our constituents will be waiting 5 years for a court to render a verdict. Under the Norwood bill and the President's proposal they will get health care now, not 5 years from now. To malign this bill and say it was done in the dead of night does a disservice to every Member who has fought for good patient protection. Now they are abandoning the very architect of that plan in the name of politics. They want to win the next election, but they will do it on the back of sick people. I believe people need help today; and if we pass the bill, they will get it today, not 5 years from now when a court may or may not rule in their favor.”