Waxman at the AMA

I am finally catching up on some notes from Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) when he spoke to the AMA in March 2009.  (From “The Pink Sheet”, March 16, 2009, pg. 27)

“We all know we have to get costs under control, but the way to do that is not to tell physicians what they can and cannot do or put them in a position where they cannot put the needs of their patient first.”

“I am not interested in trying to put a public plan in place that would drive out competition.  I believe we must have a significant role for private insurers.  We must allow them a fair opportunity to compete.”

“We have to reward quality and outcomes, not just reward volume.”