[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26546]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              HEALTH CARE

  (Mr. CASSIDY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. Speaker, health reform is a moral and national 
imperative.
  As a physician, my experience in treating uninsured patients at 
public hospitals teaches me that empowering patients is the best way to 
lower costs and improve patients' health. Patients are the best 
guardians of health care dollars. Real reform empowers patients to make 
wise decisions for their wallets and their health.
  Unfortunately, this bill introduced last week empowers government, 
not patients. And this 2,000-page bill, and this is half of it, a 
trillion dollars, is concentrating power in Washington, taking it away 
from States and citizens. For example, it creates 111 boards, 
bureaucracies, and commissions and has $730 billion in taxes.
  This government-centered plan won't work. In fact, the Congressional 
Budget Office says that it increases the cost to patients and 
taxpayers.
  The patient-centered alternative offered by Republicans will save 
patients money, save taxpayers money, and expand access to quality 
care.

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