[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4502]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              HEALTH CARE

  Mr. COBURN. Madam President, I rise to bring attention to the crucial 
role of health care professionals in providing quality health care 
across our Nation. Other than being a father, grandfather, and husband 
nothing has been more personally satisfying for me than meeting and 
caring for patients. As a practicing physician I have seen firsthand 
the importance of each and every health care practitioner--not just 
doctors and nurses--in meeting this country's diverse health care 
needs. I am thankful for the contribution that dedicated health 
professionals have made to not just my medical practice, but all of our 
communities.
  These professionals are found not only in hospitals and doctor's 
offices, but everywhere from local schools to athletic training 
clinics, long-term care facilities to rehabilitation centers, and 
providing loving care in hospices and private homes. There are more 
than 100 distinct allied health professions including respiratory 
therapists, music therapists, athletic trainers, clinical laboratory 
scientists, radiologic technologists, medical assistants and many 
others. They provide expert care in a number of therapeutic, diagnostic 
and preventive services in a multitude of settings. These professionals 
practice expertise in disease prevention and control, dietary and 
nutritional services, mental and physical health promotion, 
rehabilitation, and health systems management. Approximately 6 million 
individuals are currently serving in allied health professionals, 
representing about 60 percent of the healthcare workforce. According to 
the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10 of the 20 fastest growing 
occupations for 2008--2018 are in the health professions.
  As Congress continues to engage in a national debate on health care, 
I have consistently been offering patient-centered solutions that would 
allow individuals to access care tailored to their individual needs. 
Consumer choice, not government coercion, has made goods and services 
that were once scarce affordable and accessible. For instance, in the 
past 18 months the number of unique iPhone applications available to 
consumers has gone from 500 to more than 140,000--with 3 billion 
applications downloaded. If patients were empowered to take control of 
their health care spending, it would enable health care professionals 
to more freely exercise their immense talents--no doubt putting Apple 
and the iPhone to shame.
  Regardless of the outcome of the health care debate, these health 
care professionals will continue to make a difference in their 
patients' lives. I want to personally thank, and express my support 
for, these vital health care professionals. Our system could not 
function without their tireless efforts. I urge my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing this important group of individuals.

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