[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 68 (Friday, May 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HELP EFFICIENT, ACCESSIBLE, LOW-COST, TIMELY HEALTHCARE (HEALTH) ACT OF 
                                  2004

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                               speech of

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2004

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill 
because we should not impose a one size fits all solution to the 
problem. We need to bring the patients, doctors and insurance companies 
to the table to address this problem as a whole and not just target one 
factor in the rising cost of malpractice.
  Medical malpractice is an issue of concern and we need to look at 
ways of addressing the real issues. We need to look at patient safety. 
We need to look at ways of helping doctors that have been negatively 
impacted and we need to find ways to stop frivolous law suits. With 
these underlying problems is a one size fits all answer a solution. 
Will this address doctors and patients needs? Will this ensure that 
patients receive the care they need and will doctors be able to provide 
the appropriate care to heal our sick?
  I do strongly believe that a factor that has been left out of this 
debate is the insurance companies. What role do they play and what 
information do they provide and is it accurate? Are these companies 
playing on the fear of doctors and patients to increase their premiums? 
We cannot continue down this path without addressing this issue. We 
must have an open debate where all the major players are involved and 
we do not pit doctors versus patients. If this problem persists and we 
start to lose doctors we must force all these players to the table to 
rectify the problem.
  We are fortunate in the state of Maryland to have caps. These caps 
have done a good job in keeping the health care standards in the state 
so high. Anything we work in Congress should allow for the states to 
address their individual needs. Maryland is best suited to address the 
needs of the doctors and patients in our state. We do not need a forced 
federal one-size fits all solution for our state. We need an open 
dialogue.

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