[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 14359]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       PATIENT-CENTERED SOLUTIONS

  (Mr. PRICE of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I draw attention to a vision 
for a new era of American health care, a clear path to provide access 
to affordable, quality care for all Americans.
  There's no doubt that our health care system is failing some of 
America's patients. Now, some in this body believe that the solution is 
giving greater control over health care decisions to Washington, a 
government takeover of personal health insurance.
  Now, as a physician, I know that government interference only harms 
patient access to health care. Real positive reform will only be 
achieved by empowering patients, not government and not bureaucrats. 
Positive reform starts with giving ownership of health coverage back to 
the patient, not the government. Allowing individuals full control over 
their coverage will make insurers truly accountable to patients, 
leading to greater choice, innovation, and responsiveness.
  Secondly, we must provide the proper financial incentives so that 
there's no reason to be uninsured. With tax reform, not government 
mandates, we can achieve universal access to care for all Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, Republicans have a positive, patient-centered 
prescription for America that doesn't result in a government takeover.

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