November 19 – The U.S. House of Representatives held a vote on physician reimbursements for Medicare, the so-called “doc fix” bill. Congressman Zach Wamp voted against the bill and issued the following statement:

Congressman Marsha Blackburn voted against H.R. 3961, a measure dealing with Medicare compensation rates for doctors. As written, the legislation presented Members of Congress with a stark choice; add a staggering quarter-trillion dollars to the Federal debt, or impose staggering cuts to Medicare in the form of lower compensation rates to doctors while increasing costs for seniors. H.R. 3961 will only temporarily stave off compensation cuts and could ultimately limit patient access.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who spent 80 percent of his time on health care issues as Tennessee’s commissioner of finance and administration in 1995-1996, said today the 2,074 page health care bill put forth by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is “taking the debate and our country in exactly the wrong direction.”

November 19th, 2009 – WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement on his vote against the nomination of Judge David Hamilton to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit:

“I opposed Judge Hamilton’s confirmation because I find some of his decisions to be extreme, including those on public prayer.”

Not Much Changed: Still Raises Premiums, Still Raises Taxes, and Still Cuts Medicare

November 19th, 2009 – WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, today issued the following statement on the Senate Democratic health care bill: