ms. buerkle: thank you, mr. speaker. here in washington we are divided on many issues but whether we are republican or democrat, members of congress recognize the essential role that our hospitals play in our communities. hospitals provide care for the sick, their clinics provide essential care to many. they are engaged in important medical research and teaching hospitals are educating doctors and nurses to provide care for future generations. and in many districts across the country, including mine, new york's 25th congressional district, our hospitals are a major -- are major employers. perhaps the largest single employer a congressional district may have. mr. speaker, the health care sector constitutes nearly 18% of the united states' economy. and is one of the more stable portions of our economy. american hospitals employ more than 5.4 million people. and as hospitals and hospital employees buy goods and services from other businesses, they create additional jobs. their economic impact, mr. speaker, is felt throughou