What’s the rush, Mitch?

As a Yale ICU physician, I know the value of feedback. Student doctors and trainees give me feedback about my teaching style and presentations. Senior physicians give me feedback about my clinical decision-making. My patients give me feedback about how our treatment plan is working or not working. Like many health care providers, I welcome feedback in all forms, even if it’s critical of me. Feedback helps me see others’ perspectives and helps me make changes to be a better doctor.

Mitch McConnell and the senators drafting the current health care bill don’t think that they need feedback.

Seeking to avoid the feedback and insight of experts and their constituents, the Senate is invoking rule 14 — a rule that allows the Senate to vote on the health care reform bill only 48 hours after the legislative text of the bill is unveiled to the public. No committee hearings, no amendments. There is only a brief 48-hour period for the American public to not only read, understand and digest, and but also to attempt to draft meaningful feedback on legislation that will impact one-sixth of the U.S. economy and likely take away the health insurance of 20-plus million Americans.

Mitch McConnell’s and his senators’ plan to use rule 14 to avoid feedback is not only rushed, but arrogant and dangerous. Health and health care are too important to not incorporate feedback. — Drew Harris, M.D. Yale Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine