Enhancing Small Business Research And Innovation Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Paulsen amendment to give special consideration to SBIR funding for medical technology.

The underlying legislation prioritizes projects that are related to energy and infectious diseases, and there is no question that these are deserving areas. But I believe the Paulsen amendment adds an important priority category that is left out, medical technology. The fact is, because of our health care system, we lead the world in medical technology advances. It's a huge competitive edge we hold and one I do not want to lose.

As a physician, I was able to take advantage of this technology over the course of my career, and I can give numerous examples of how care was improved for my patients. Prioritizing SBIR funding for medical technology projects is one step to help us maintain our edge.

While this amendment will take steps toward creating a fertile environment for medical technology advances, it is important not to take two steps back by creating a government-run health care system.

A major problem with care that is managed by Washington bureaucrats instead of patients and doctors is that bureaucrats are focused on cost rather than advancing care, and they inevitably require the use of older, less expensive technology because of its comparative effectiveness.

If the health care system refuses to use new technology until older technology is proven ineffective, we eliminate much, if not all, of the incentive for new medical technology developments and rob future generations of the chance to find cures for cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and diabetes, just to name a few.

I urge adoption of the Paulsen amendment, which to me is just common sense, and hope this Congress does all it can to keep the health care system that rewards medical research and development.

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