House Proceeding 02-24-10 on Feb 24th, 2010 :: 2:16:00 to 2:19:15
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2:15:59 to 2:16:19( Edit History Discussion )

Lamar S. Smith: time, and i yield to the gentleman before we introduce the speaker to close on the debate. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas. mr. smith: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. smith: mr. speaker, first of all, let me thank chairman conyers for his comments. he is always gracious.

2:16:00 to 2:19:15( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Lamar S. Smith

2:16:20 to 2:16:40( Edit History Discussion )

Lamar S. Smith: he's right, we've had a good discussion about this particular piece of legislation. i want to say that he and i have a very good working relationship on the judiciary committee as well. though in regard to this bill, mr. speaker, i have to say that as much as some might hope that it did something or hope that

2:16:41 to 2:17:05( Edit History Discussion )

Lamar S. Smith: it accomplished something or might wish that the bill did something or might pretend that e bill did something, the congressional budget office disagrees. folks may wish upon a star but this bill is a dim bulb. the congressional budget office

2:17:06 to 2:17:28( Edit History Discussion )

Lamar S. Smith: says that, quote, whether premyumes would increase or de-- premiums would increase or decrease because of this legislation is not known. the magnitude of the effects will be quite small, quite small. so, mr. speaker, what's the point of this bill? c.b.o. goes on to say that premium reductions from this bill are likely to be small

2:17:29 to 2:17:50( Edit History Discussion )

Lamar S. Smith: because, quote, state laws already bars the activity that would be prohibited under this law if this bill was enacted, end quote. so again, mr. speaker, what's the point of this bill? i could list all the reasons why this bill is ineffective, useful, unproductive, pointless, futile and meaningless.

2:17:51 to 2:18:11( Edit History Discussion )

Lamar S. Smith: instead, i'd like to point out something that we could do to drive down health care costs. last october the c.b.o. concluded that a tort reform package consisting of reasonable limits on affirmative laws lawsuits would reduce the federal budget deficit by an estimated $54 billion over the next 10 years. that $54 billion in savings

2:18:12 to 2:18:32( Edit History Discussion )

Lamar S. Smith: from tort reform could be used to provide health insurance for many of the uninsured without raising taxes on those who already have health insurance policies. also, according to the c.b.o., under the republican sponsor of

2:18:33 to 2:18:53( Edit History Discussion )

Lamar S. Smith: the tort reform act says it will ultimately be an averag of 25% to 30% below what they woulbe under current w. end quote. and a g.a.o. report stated that, quote, losses on medical malpractice claims, which makes up the largest part of

2:18:54 to 2:19:16( Edit History Discussion )

Lamar S. Smith: insurer's costs, appear to be the primary reason of rate increases in the long run, end quote. mr. speaker, rather tha spend time on a bill that the c.b.o. said would yield a quite small, if any, change in health care premiums, you should instead take up a bill the c.b.o. concluded would save us $54 billion. the american people deserve