Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: 35 0603513N Shipboard System Component Development

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Eaton Corporation

Address of Requesting Entity: 1000 Cherrington Parkway; Moon Twp., 15009

Amount: $600,000

Description of Request: Funding will be used to develop a new 100 amp breaker that will complete a family of current limiting AQB circuit breakers used in electrical distribution systems onboard Navy combatant vessels. The new breaker will save size and weight, will eliminate the need for current limiting fuses, and will enhance both the survivability of the electrical system and the survivability of the ship's mission. The Navy presently uses current limiting electronic trip AQB circuit breakers in its electrical distribution systems at the 250 amp, 400 amp and 800 amp frame sizes. Missing from this family is a 100 amp frame size breaker. The new 100 amp AQB current limiting breaker will eliminate the need to use current limiting fuses and fuse bases. This will save about 30% space and weight. Circuit breakers can be re-closed after clearing a fault condition in the electrical system instead of the present situation wherein fuse units must be physically replaced. This enhances the survivability of the electrical system, which therefore enhances the survivability of the ship's mission. There are also logistic support savings. The funding will be used to militarize and shock harden an existing COTS commercial circuit breaker and to perform Navy QPL qualification testing.

I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

I took extreme care to ensure that these projects are well vetted and strongly supported. The High-Shock 100 Amp Current Limiting Circuit Breaker appropriation is of particular interest to my district and importance.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 D

Account: 50 0603734A Military Engineering Advanced Technology

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: PPG

Address of Requesting Entity: 4325 Rosanna Drive; Allison Park, PA 15101

Amount: $2,000,000

Description of Request: The objective of this program is to leverage nanotechnology to develop low cost multifunctional materials to be used to effectively treat and purify water for potable supply or return of wastewater. Water conservation and the demand for clean drinking water have and will continue to increase globally and many parts of the world are under stress in the ability to supply potable water to the masses. Water transportation is a significant logistical burden in the deployment of forces in the global war on terror.

I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

I took extreme care to ensure that these projects are well vetted and strongly supported. Nanotechnology for Potable Water and Waste Treatment appropriation is of particular interest to my district and importance.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: 16 0603123N Force Protection Advanced Technology

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Curtiss-Wright

Address of Requesting Entity: 291 Westec Drive; Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666

Amount: $3,600,000

Description of Request: The Navy has unique requirements for high power density, low weight, low distortion and noise, high efficiency, high reliability, and reduced maintenance on its next generation electric drive ships. The service has been funding development of various propulsion motors for years, and has recognized the value of concurrently supporting development of the required motor drive to maximize system effectiveness. This project would support development of an advanced motor drive technology that is projected to improve system power density by a factor of 3 to 5 and reduce weight by a factor of 3 over commercially available drive systems; and reduce system losses approximately 2-3%. High Power Density Motor Drive technology is based on proven power conversion techniques that have been used for several decades in icebreaker and cruise ship propulsion systems. Integration with complimentary Navy motor development efforts will open up considerable advantage on the design of a complete Navy ``system'', optimized for high demands of propulsion. This combination of motor drive with ongoing motor technology development will support all Navy requirements and enable usage of solid-state power electronic motor drives throughout the Navy combatant fleet. Requested FY10 funding would support design completion, manufacture and subscale proof of concept demonstrations of a ship-worthy propulsion motor drive system.

I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

I took extreme care to ensure that these projects are well vetted and strongly supported within the community. The High Power Density Motor Drive appropriation is of particular interest to my district and importance.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: 35 0603513N Shipboard System Component Development

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Converteam Inc.

Address of Requesting Entity: 610 Epsilon Drive; Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Amount: $2,000,000

Description of Request: The Integrated Power System Converter (IPSC) forms the heart of the Navy initiated Integrated Power System (IPS) concept, and this development will provide significant advantages in size, weight and cost reduction across all IPS equipment. In addition, this system will significantly simplify the insertion of advanced weapons. The IPSC consists of power electronics configured to control the performance of ship propulsion motors, ship service distribution and high power weapons or sensors. Additional funding is required in 2010 to construct and test a relevant scale prototype, thereby increasing the Technology Readiness Level that is required for insertion into a Navy Acquisition program.

I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

I took extreme care to ensure that these projects are well vetted and strongly supported within the community. The Integrated Power System Converter (IPSC) appropriation is of particular interest to my district and importance.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: 172 0708045A End Item Industrial Preparedness Activities

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM)

Address of Requesting Entity: 1600 Technology Way; LaTrobe, PA 15650

Amount: $2,000,000

Description of Request: NCDMM was established in 2003 to address the DoD need for manufacturing expertise to reduce overall defense program costs (initial development and sustainability costs). NCDMM identifies specific defense manufacturing operations for improvement and implements more modern technology, resulting in reduced costs, shorter lead times and/or enhanced quality of manufactured components. While working with government facilities and large defense companies, outsourcing opportunities arise which are directed to the NCDMM Manufacturing Consortium, consisting primarily of local shops in Western Pennsylvania. Funding will cover four primary core activities including: 1) support of the Manufacturing Consortium and the VOICe program, which receives no other funding; 2) supplement training programs, which benefit local shops and the U.S. industrial base in general; 3) provide for overhead and management of the organization; and 4) remaining funding will be directed to the NCDMM annual Project Call that enables NCDMM to find new opportunities and engage with new DoD customers.

I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

I took extreme care to ensure that these projects are well vetted and strongly supported within the community. The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining appropriation is of particular interest to my district and importance to my constituents.

Now, imagine if you called your doctor because you were very sick and immediately he wrote a prescription and scheduled you for surgery and sent you on your way. And you said, But, Doc, I have got a medical file that is three

inches thick. It is 1,200 pages long. Don't you want to examine me, read it, ask some questions, order some tests? And your doctor says, No, I don't have time for this because I am working on a deadline.

We all need to agree and work together. Our health care system does need reform and we want to reform it. Let's work together to fix it, not just come up with an arbitrary deadline.

We have to allow you to buy insurance from anywhere in America, have basic plans that cover what families really need and worry about, have transparency about quality and cost, and provide some financial assistance to those that need it. And, finally, let's make insurance personal, portable and permanent.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3293--Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010:

request number 1

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 3293--Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: Higher Education (includes FIPSE)

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: St. Vincent College

Address of Requesting Entity: 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650

Amount: $150,000

Description of Request: Saint Vincent College is currently engaged in a capital project to expand and renovate facilities for mathematics and science education as part of a $42.5 million campaign to strengthen the Boyer School. The expansion of academic programs, combined with an increasing student enrollment and active faculty and student research agenda, have created a critical need for new science center facilities, particularly interdisciplinary research laboratories. Federal grant funds, if awarded, would be applied to these costs and may include, for example, specialized instrumentation for a biochemistry laboratory, including the acquisition and installation of a NMR and GC mass spectrometer, equipment for a materials science laboratory, and a planetarium projector.

I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

I took extreme care to ensure that these projects are well vetted and strongly supported within the community. The state-of-the-art laboratory and teaching facilities for the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computing appropriation is of particular interest to my district and importance to my constituents.

request number 2

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 3293--Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Family Hospice and Palliative Care

Address of Requesting Entity: 50 Moffett St., Pittsburgh, PA 15243

Amount: $100,000

Description of Request: Funds will be used to staff and purchase materials for on-going educational programs on end-of-life care for patient families, general public, volunteers and healthcare professionals within Family Hospice and Palliative Care's Center for Compassionate Care, in Mt. Lebanon, PA. Through hands-on training in medical equipment used for homecare, confidence-building seminars, workshops with clinical staff and colloquiums to increase certification in hospice and palliative care among healthcare professionals, the goal of Education Outreach is to enhance the quality of life for persons entering their final months.

I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

I took extreme care to ensure that these projects are well vetted and strongly supported within the community. The Center for Compassionate Care Education Outreach appropriation is of particular interest to my district and importance to my constituents.

request number 3

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 3293--Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Mario Lemieux Foundation

Address of Requesting Entity: 50 Abele Road, Suite 100, Bridgeville,

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3288, Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2010:

request number 1

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 3288, Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: TCSP--Transportation & Community & System Preservation

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation

Address of Requesting Entity: 40 North Pennsylvania Ave.; Greensburg,

Mr. Speaker, while our Nation is facing record unemployment, we may well worsen the job situation if the proposed health care bill passes in its current version; 4.7 million more jobs are estimated to be lost and a trillion dollars in more taxes. That's bad medicine.

We still have not addressed the hundreds of billions in health care waste, but are proposing spending hundreds of billions more. We should not be substituting the barriers, burdens and, bureaucracy of insurance companies with the barriers, burdens, and bureaucracy of Uncle Sam's health insurance company.

I want to get people back to work. I want to make sure they're covered by health care. I want our Committee on Energy and Commerce to reconvene to get to work on this bill. It is going to take time. We need to take the time to fix this. Let's do it right. But let's not work towards artificial deadlines, and let's get America back to work with good health care.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3183, Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.

Request Number 1

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 3183, Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: Department of Energy, EERE

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Address of Requesting Entity: 1059 Shady Avenue; Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Amount: $500,000

Description of Request: The CTI Waste to Energy System at the Phipps Conservatory will reduce the amount of waste directed to Western Pennsylvania landfills, create 10 jobs in the immediate area, and serve as a model for the future of waste management. This project is a concrete application of technology that addresses our nation's dependence on foreign-controlled fossil fuels and intelligently manages waste. This project will serve all Americans as part of the foundation for a data-driven discussion of energy and waste management policies.

I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

Request Number 2

I took extreme care to ensure that these projects are well vetted and strongly supported within the community. The Canonsburg Lake, PA appropriation is of particular interest to my district and importance to my constituents.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 3183, Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: Corps of Engineers, Section 206

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh

Address of Requesting Entity: 100 Liberty Avenue, Room 1828; Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Description of Request: This project will implement a Corps of Engineers Section 206 Aquatic Restoration Feasibility Study. Restoring the aquatic ecosystem of the lake that has been severely degraded by sediment deposition. Dredging the sediment from the lake is proposed to enhance the ecosystem for fish species and other aquatic life, restore adequate water levels and create additional wetlands on site.

I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

Request Number 3

I took extreme care to ensure that these projects are well vetted and strongly supported within the community. The Locks And Dams 2, 3 And 4 Monongahela River Appropriations is of particular interest to my district and importance to my constituents.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 3183, Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: Corps of Engineers, Construction

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh

Address of Requesting Entity: 100 Liberty Avenue, Room 1828; Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Amount: $6,210,000

Description of Request: The Lower Monongahela River Project is located in Southwestern Pennsylvania and was authorized for construction by the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1992. This project addresses the deteriorated condition of the navigation facilities along the Lower Monongahela River. The project is to build a new dam at 2 (Braddock), new locks at 4 (Charleroi) and then to remove the Locks and Dam at 3 (Elizabeth), creating a single 30 mile pool. The dam at 2 is now complete but the old dam 3 cannot be removed until the locks are completed at 4. Specific concerns were the very real risks of navigation system failure related to the poor structural condition of Locks & Dam 3, and the fact that industry must continue to rely on a single chamber at Locks 4 on the Monongahela River. Ground was broken in 1994 and the project was to be completed in 2004 or in 10 years. However, the slow pace of funding forced inefficient decisions, which now mean the best schedule for total project completion, now 2016, provided that the project continues to receive optimal funding. The funding delays created greater than normal maintenance problems. The condition and sustained operability of Locks and Dam 3, and Locks 4 is a significant and growing concern. The 100-year-old Locks and Dam 3 are among the oldest structures operating on the inland navigation system, and the most structurally deficient navigation facility on the Monongahela River. The larger locks will afford industry a 27 percent savings in economy scale. The challenge is to put the Lower Monongahela River Project on an efficient funding schedule.

I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

Request Number 4

I took extreme care to ensure that these projects are well vetted and strongly supported within the community. The Upper Ohio Navigation System Study, PA Appropriations is of particular interest to my district and importance to my constituents.

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 3183, Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: Corps of Engineers, Investigations

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh

Address of Requesting Entity: 100 Liberty Avenue, Room 1828; Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Amount $1,250,000

Description of Request: The Upper Ohio River, defined as Emsworth, Dashields, and Montgomery (EDM) Locks and Dams, is a multi-year feasibility investigation to determine the best navigation improvement project. EDM are the three oldest locks on the Ohio River navigation system. Two major problems associated with the locks are: (1) their structural condition; and (2) the lock chamber sizes are too small to efficiently accommodate modern tow configurations.

I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

Madam Speaker, as work begins today on the 1,000-page and $1 trillion health care bill, the Congressional Budget Office provided Members with some troubling points yesterday.

For example, supporters of this plan argue it's necessary to bring down costs. We need to do that. However, the CBO admitted that the public plan would have essentially no impact on the long-term growth of health care costs, the legislation's purported goal.

A few other issues: the $1 trillion score was not produced on the actual bill, but a summary provided days before the text was introduced. And more questions.

What impact will the health care bill and its taxes have on job losses? What will the big tax increase do to small business? What is the cost of the government plan? And what happens if it doesn't let private plans play by the same rules?

Let's make sure we don't replace the bureaucracy of insurance with barriers, burdens, and bureaucracy of government. Neither one is good medicine. Real reform is good medicine. Let's do it right. Let's take the time to work together as a team and solve this problem once and for all.

With regard to Flake No. 14 amendment, I want to let my colleagues know that the economic growth connection of Westmoreland County located in Greensburg is actually a very valuable resource to manufacturers in helping to keep the local employees, especially at a time when we are struggling with our economy.

The funding for this will be used for small and medium-sized businesses and give them some additional support they otherwise would not be able to afford in helping small manufacturers compete with large firms to gain defense contracts and other jobs.

It helps them find building and maintenance databases that showcase the unique capabilities they have. It helps them locate places for their manufacturing to take place. It provides several services that otherwise these businesses would have to, at a much larger expense, hire someone to take care of. It provides jobs. It provides help.

And I hope my colleagues, in response, will oppose that amendment and help preserve some jobs in the area.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2997, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 2997, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES)

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Business Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence

Address of Requesting Entity: Posvar Hall, Room 1800, Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Amount: $500,000

Description of Request: The funding will be used to address the needs of the agricultural sector in the region to improve business practices, marketing strategies, and profit management. The University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Business Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence will develop a model agricultural entrepreneurship program for sustainable agricultural production in emerging areas such as hydroponics and soilless controlled environment agriculture.

I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

I took extreme care to ensure that these projects are well vetted and strongly supported within the community. The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Business Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence appropriation is of particular interest to my district and importance to my constituents.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2996, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy

Bill Number: H.R. 2996, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Account: State and Tribal Assistance Grant Program

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Findlay Township Municipal Authority

Address of Requesting Entity: 1271 Route 30, Clinton, PA 15026-1537

Amount: $500,000

Description of Request: to replace old and undersized water transmission lines, and to expand and upgrade the water and sewer infrastructure, to benefit the entire Township of Findlay in economic development and job creation, fire safety and environmental protection.

The water and sewer upgrades and expansion will serve businesses--and the 21,310 jobs being created--at three business parks in the Pittsburgh International Airport Corridor: the Chapman Commerce Center; the Clinton Commerce Park and the Route 30 Industrial Site. Furthermore, annual tax revenue generated at the three business parks is projected to be $48.7 million. In terms of fire safety, the project will replace old and undersized water transmission lines to provide adequate fire flow for the entire township, including residents and businesses. In terms of environmental protection, the project will rectify a concern of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection that the sanitary sewer system capacity from Enlow Road to the Moon Township Interceptor must be expanded to adequately convey additional flow.

I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

I took extreme care to ensure that these projects are well vetted and strongly supported within the community. The Findlay Township Municipal Authority appropriation is of particular interest to my district and importance to my constituents.

A headline in yesterday's Pittsburgh paper said ``More Pa. Residents Suffering in Recession, Poll Shows.'' And this is the time to give people in Pennsylvania, and throughout the Nation, hope.

Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh area is the area that was built upon energy. We had abundant supplies of coal, natural gas and water. That is why steel was there. We invested in the National Energy Technology labs, and we still have hundreds of years of coal.

Folks, this is a time when we need to improve the efficiency of wind and solar so we can have them as energy resources. But let's not abandon steel because you can't make it without coal. Let's not abandon coal. And let's make sure we invest in clean coal. This is a time when we say to kids that right now we get about 35 percent of our energy out of a lump of coal. And it does pollute. What we have to do is clean it up, invest in that and build clean-coal plants. Whoever figures out how to do that, that is Nobel Prize material. It is the scientific, technological, and educational challenge of our generation.

And what's more, you can't have lights on without doing that. Let's do all of the things we need to do. But this bill is not the way to do it. We can solve these problems. But we can't rush into it the way we are doing it now.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Secretary Sebelius spoke in the Energy and Commerce Committee and said that one of the concerns with health care was in Kansas there were not many choices. Indeed that is the concern across the Nation. But as we look at solutions for the health insurance crisis, establishing Uncle Sam's Health Insurance Company may not be the answer.

Under those circumstances, you get to buy insurance from any State, no matter where you live. You get to bypass State mandates, and you get to bargain for better prices and better quality as a group. But private plans you still have to buy only within your State. You have to stick within your State mandates, which add to the costs, and you don't get to join bigger groups and bargain for better price and quality.

As we work on health care, let's continue to work together and find solutions. We can do this. We can drive down price and improve quality. But let's make sure that all the choices are fair and that we have competition.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2647, The National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18)

Bill Number: H.R. 2647, The National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2010

Account: RDA

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: PPG Industries

Address of Requesting Entity: 4325 Rosanna Drive; Allison Park, PA 15101

Description of Request: Nanotechnology for Potable Water and Waste Treatment--PPG Industries proposes to use its nanotechnology for water filtration technologies. One such technology applicable to water filtration is nano-fiber mats which may be produced in high volumes through an electromechanical spinning technique developed by PPG. These nano-fiber mats can be functionalized to sequester water contaminants quickly and efficiently. Additionally, fiberglass can be modified with nano-materials and then films to mitigate waterborne contaminants. The program will address both conventional water treatment and water security needs in a military field environment and the public sector.

Amount: $2,000,000

Budget Breakdown: 80 percent of the funding will be used for Research and Development and 20 percent for procuring materials and testing.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 416, 417, and 418, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, think if the government runs all health care it will be easy for your doctor to make decisions to get you the right care at the best price? Well, Congress doesn't think so.

In the 110th Congress, 452 separate bills were introduced to fix problems of Medicaid and Medicare.

What if your doctor prescribes home care rather than send you to a nursing home at three times the cost? It takes an act of Congress to change the rules.

Screening for glaucoma? Well, it depends on who you are. Otherwise, ask Congress to change the law.

Maybe you have multiple sclerosis that prevents you from working and you cannot afford the medication. You have to wait 2 years to qualify for help, unless Congress changes the law.

When less than one in four Americans think Congress is doing a great job, should Congress really be in charge of your health insurance?

Let's fix the problems. Focus on value not volume, quality not quantity, and stop wasting hundreds of billions of health care dollars.

There should be no bureaucracy between you and your doctor. Reform, yes. Oversight, yes. Accountability, transparency, absolutely. But becoming an insurance company, let's think about it.