[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 8 (Thursday, January 20, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H379-H380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              HEALTH CARE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Hurt) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HURT. Mr. Speaker, the repeal of the health care law and 
beginning the process of replacing it with market-oriented solutions 
that reduce health care costs are important steps in the right 
direction for the people of the Fifth District of Virginia and for our 
Nation as a whole.
  Having heard from so many of my constituents on this issue, I believe 
that it is essential that we repeal the government takeover of health 
care that raises costs, increases taxes, imposes burdensome mandates on 
small businesses, and jeopardizes quality medical care for our people.
  I rise today to share an example of the real-life implications that 
the new health care law has had on one doctor in the Fifth District of 
Virginia.

                              {time}  1210

  His story is not unique. No doubt there are many others in central 
and Southside Virginia, as well as across the Nation, who are dealing 
with similar, negative ramifications of this law. His story is an 
important one to tell. It's a story of the hardships this legislation 
has caused to the people who have dedicated their lives to serving 
others.
  In 1999, this doctor took a huge risk when he decided to sell his 
home and move to Charlottesville to buy and operate an Urgent Care 
Center. The challenges he faced in starting up his own practice did not 
come without sacrifice. It was over a year before he took home his 
first paycheck. He and his wife lived on savings and retirement money 
and did not know if their business would make it until 2004, 5 years 
later. His sacrifice and hard work proved to be a model for success. 
Now he has over 40,000 charts and 30 employees, and he provides high 
quality care to more than 16,000 patients. The average charge per 
patient visit remains low, while the services rendered provide good 
quality care, proving that health care at the primary level does not 
have to come with an overly expensive pricetag.
  However, this doctor has made it clear in no uncertain terms that the 
fear and uncertainty regarding the new health care law threatens both 
the present and future success of his practice. Due to the tax hikes, 
added regulations and bureaucracy, and overall government intrusion, 
the doctor is no longer sure he can afford to stay in business, which 
means over 16,000 patients in the area served by his practice may lose 
access to this reliable and affordable care.
  What a crushing blow to the innovators that are seeking new ways to 
provide quality medical care to their fellow man. What a crushing blow 
to the entrepreneurial spirit for those who are seeking to succeed. And 
what a crushing blow to the very spirit upon which our Nation was 
founded. This is just one example of why it is critical and necessary 
to repeal the government takeover of health care.
  To ensure that doctors in the Fifth District can keep their doors 
open and that the people of the Fifth District of Virginia can continue 
to afford quality health care, it is critical that we find replacement 
measures that seek to truly keep costs low while removing the 
government from the patient-doctor relationship.
  We have a great deal of work ahead, Mr. Speaker, but I'm committed to 
continuing to find the health care solutions that are in the best 
interest of all central and Southside Virginians.

[[Page H380]]



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