Ron Kind

I think if we keep setting those financial incentives to value quality, we're going to see a lot of innovation, a lot of reform by our providers themselves.

We've also been seeing in recent years some remarkable cost savings on a per capita basis in the Medicare program in particular, but without a reduction in benefits for the services that our seniors are receiving.

I've been a real stickler when it comes to payment reform in the healthcare system.

We have got to be more fiscally responsible for future generations than that.

Again, that is a source of concern that many of our colleagues have expressed concern about and, I think, legitimately so. Again, progress was made in this Customs bill when it comes to currency manipulation. For all these reasons, I think…

I have introduced a Veterans Access to Care Act to try to deal with the access and waiting line issue.

There are so many more alternative and complementary forms of care that we ought to be exploring in much greater detail.

I am convinced that the family members are the first line of defense when it comes to our veterans.

I think we have got a major opiate problem within the VA system, but not limited to the VA system.

Another concern I want to raise with you and I am wondering if you are sharing it is obviously when you have CO-OPs failing, it means less competition in the marketplace.

I always thought it was wrong that our health care providers were not being reimbursed for the education and the consultation.

Clearly, that is the direction that the Affordable Care Act is trying to drive the healthcare system, to more coordination, more integration in healthcare delivery services.

I thank my friend. That is what is so onerous behind this legislation. They have become very clever at piling up debt, convincing the American people we have a spending problem; yet the very programs they decide to target in their budget…

Having the best possible agreement that you can get is going to be crucial to finding the support that we need to get it across the finish line.

It is always about tax cuts, especially for the most well-off in our Nation. It is always about spending cuts.

It seems as if the parties are on two different planets. We keep talking past each other.

Since I have no further speakers, I ask my colleagues to support this bipartisan piece of legislation tonight, and I yield back the balance of my time.

This fake rage occurring from the other side is just that. They are going after the IRS because of the political fodder that it brings to their base and it is unfortunate that we are having to conduct yet another witch hunt here today.

The only organizations that were applying for 501(c)(4) status with the IRS that were denied that application were organizations that were affiliated with Democratic candidates for office, not conservative organizations.

This committee and this Congress should be working with you to get an IRS that is more responsive to the needs of the American public than this fishing expedition and witch hunt which has been going on for too long right now.

I think the political reality is we are not going to be able to move it before the elections.

You are never going to find any Member of Congress defending fraud, waste and abuse, whether it is Medicare or any other Federal program.

If you don't provide some transitional relief, you are going to get criticized for doing that, and if you do provide relief, you are criticized for not helping make the program collapse.

So there are some powerful trends that are leading to a reduction in overall health care spending, things that we should study and explore and try to sustain. But moving forward with an SGR repeal based on pay-fors that are being offered…

I applaud the Administration's decision in this regard, that we feel it is important to get it right than to do it fast.