Prepared Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley

Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights

"The Power of Google: Serving Consumers or Threatening Competition?"

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Chairman Kohl and Senator Lee, I appreciate you holding this antitrust oversight hearing this afternoon.  I know that people back in my home state of Iowa are following what is going on in this committee room with interest.  That's because in rural Iowa, many companies - both big and small - depend on open and fair access to the internet to reach potential customers and to expand their businesses.

I've heard from Iowans who are concerned that Google is unfairly using its market power to manipulate internet search and drive web traffic to its own sites to the detriment of small businesses and consumers.  They are frustrated by business practices that are not transparent or fair.  They are concerned that Google is engaging in anti-competitive behavior that is thwarting a competitive marketplace.

However, I've also heard from Iowans who are extremely supportive of Google's products and services.  These people rely on those products and services to access customers and grow their businesses.  They are concerned that the federal government is being overly aggressive, and will place burdensome rules and regulations on a company that is creating good jobs and innovative consumer tools for Iowans.

I agree that we should not be penalizing successful companies that are innovating, providing cost-effective and productive services, and creating the jobs of the future.  I agree with those constituents that tell me that "it is important to let the free market continue to work, and for consumers to be able to freely choose which online services they use" because "this is a better way to provide additional entrepreneurship and job growth."

However, I also believe that companies should not take unfair advantage of their market power, use their dominance to quash worthy competitors, and engage in deceptive business practices that negatively impact the marketplace, small businesses and consumers.  The government should not be imposing burdensome regulations or "picking winners and losers."  Yet, the antitrust laws have a role to play in ensuring that there is a level playing field for all.  I don't have a problem with companies being fierce competitors - however, all companies must play by the rules.  Companies should employ open, fair and transparent business practices that do not harm competition or impede consumer choice.

So I come to this hearing to ask questions from both sides.  I'm here to listen and ask questions raised by my constituents.  I'm here to make sure that the voices of Iowans are heard in this discussion.  Thank you.

SILVIS, Ill. -- Sept. 21, 2011 -- Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus has been named one of the nation's top-performing hospitals in key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditation agency of health care organizations in the United States.

This is the first time The Joint Commission has listed hospitals that are top performers in its annual report on quality and safety. The 405 organizations in 45 states that were identified as top performers represent approximately 14 percent of Joint Commission-accredited hospitals.

Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus was recognized for achieving excellence in performance in heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care in 2010.

Illini was the only hospital in the Quad Cities to receive recognition from The Joint Commission.

"Excellent care is something all patients expect and deserve. Recognition from The Joint Commission sends a strong message to our patients that Genesis Medical Center, Illini is performing at the top of the nation with outstanding patient outcomes," said Flo Spyrow, President, Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus. "We have made a commitment to quality patient care, patient safety and excellence in patient service and are pleased to be named to the list of top performers by The Joint Commission."A core team of providers at Illini, led by Spyrow, have met weekly over the past year to review patient outcomes, analyze process, collaborate with physicians, and GMC Illini Receives National Recognition For Patient Care ultimately, to continually improve the care delivered to Illini patients.

"The Joint Commission is an independent, highly objective agency of quality for health care organizations. Their recognition is significant to our organization and to our patients,'' Spyrow said. "This is a tribute to Illini staff and the hard work they do each and every day."
The top performers list is based on performance related to 22 accountability measures for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care and children's asthma care. The recognition program is based on data reported about evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to be the best treatments.

"Today, the public expects transparency in the reporting of performance at the hospitals where they receive care, and The Joint Commission is shining a light on the top-performing hospitals that have achieved excellence on a number of vital measures of quality of care,'' said Mark Chassin, M.D., President of The Joint Commission. "Hospitals that commit themselves to accreditation-related quality improvement efforts create better outcomes for patients and, ultimately, a healthier nation."

For information about quality of care and patient safety at Genesis Health System, go to www.genesishealth.com/quality.

About The Joint Commission

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,300 hospitals and home care organizations and more than 6,500 other health care organizations that provide long-term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care centers. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

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Davenport, Iowa - September 2011 - Coming to the Figge this fall is "W(h)ine & Art." Held on the first Thursday of the month, this two hour studio activity will provide a relaxed, creative outlet without the pressure of a committed class schedule. Each month will feature a different artistic project taught by local Quad Cities artists.  Participants can learn painting, sculpture, printmaking and more while enjoying a glass of wine and light hors d'oeuvres. The first "W(h)ine & Art" program is Thursday, October 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the project will be printmaking. Come be a part of the casual conversation and creative atmosphere. Each program is $15 per person. The price includes wine, hors d'oeuvres and art materials.

To preregister or for additional information about this program, please contact Heather at haaronson@figgeartmuseum.org or 563-326-7804 ext. 2045.

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in Downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, Sundays noon to 5 p.m. and Thursdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  To contact the museum, please call 563-326-7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.

Thursday, September 29, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

South Park Presbyterian Church, 1501 30th Street, Rock Island

Business and property owners, residents, community leaders, and college and high school students are invited to participate in a Visual Preference Survey Workshop designed to gather instantaneous electronic opinions from participants that will eventually be incorporated into conceptual streetscape designs for the College Hill District.

The City of Rock Island has been engaged in a planning process with College Hill business stakeholders to create a future vision for this eclectic neighborhood business district centered around two nodes along 14^th Avenue at 30^th and 38^th Streets. The City has commissioned The Lakota Group, a Chicago-based planning, urban design and landscape architecture firm, to help craft a Visual Preference Survey and facilitate a community Open House.

The purpose of the Visual Preference Survey is to introduce community character concepts that can influence streetscape and building facades and gauge stakeholder opinions regarding aesthetics of various elements and ideas. The survey will take the form of a PowerPoint presentation, using electronic key pad polling to create an interactive process with instantaneous results.

The survey will focus on the following design categories and/or elements:

• Overall District Character
• Streetscape/Landscape Design
• Building/Façade Improvements
• Building Height, Bulk and Setbacks
• Traffic Calming/Pedestrian Realm
• Public Spaces
• Branding/Signage and Identity

Following the survey, the consulting team will facilitate small group discussions concerning the character of the College Hill District and the preferences of the participants.

In addition to the conceptual streetscape designs, The Lakota Group will prepare a summary report of the findings that will help guide decisions about future College Hill District improvements. These elements will be incorporated into the College Hill District Revitalization Plan that is expected to be completed in late fall or early winter.

Support your neighborhood businesses, bring your ideas, and help mold the future of the College Hill District.