[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H12107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            FIRST DO NO HARM

  (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to respond to one of my 
physician colleagues who was on the floor last evening and speak to 
others who think that they and we ought to support the conference 
report on Medicare reform. One of the most important tenets of the oath 
we take as physicians is that we must do no harm. This is to guide us 
in our practice and our interactions with both our patients and 
society.
  The Medicare bill that will be before us today will do much harm by 
threatening to take away retiree prescription drug coverage. By 
refusing to provide wraparound coverage for poor seniors and disabled 
on Medicare, it will exclude many poor, disabled, and elderly by means 
testing, and most of all it will begin to destroy this important 
program which so many depend on and need.
  Mr. Speaker, if this bill were to pass tomorrow, it would not help 
one senior next year. We have time to do it right and fulfill the 
promise we made to provide a comprehensive plan. Physicians, do not 
allow our profession to be used to pass a bad bill or hurt our 
patients.
  I urge physicians to call their representatives and tell them to vote 
``no.'' I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''
  Whether physician or Member of Congress, above all we must do no 
harm.

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