Anna Eshoo: “I rise in opposition to what I think is really an unwise, unwarranted, and unfair effort to repeal the historic health…”

“I rise in opposition to what I think is really an unwise, unwarranted, and unfair effort to repeal the historic health care law which has brought much-needed insurance reforms to the American people. For the first time in our Nation's history, Congress passed legislation to ensure that every American has a comprehensive health insurance plan just as Members of Congress have. We've reduced the deficit by $143 billion over 10 years and $1.2 trillion over 20. I want to tell an important story which I think underscores why repeal is wrong. Ronit Bryant in my district was battling stage four breast cancer--that's the worst--when her HMO decided to stop paying for her treatment. In the middle of her treacherous ordeal through a mastectomy, chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and radiation, she was also battling her insurance company in Federal court where she had to listen to lawyers argue over whether her life was worth saving or not. A woman of less strength would never have made it through this. I am proud to say that Ronit made a full recovery. She watched her children grow, and she went on to become the mayor of one of the major cities in my district, Mountain View, California.”