Barbara Boxer: “On Monday morning early I held a hearing in San Francisco. I had patients and families of patients testify. I had…”

“On Monday morning early I held a hearing in San Francisco. I had patients and families of patients testify. I had doctors testify. I heard stories that absolutely brought tears to my eyes--not just to my eyes but to those of everyone in that room. No. 1, a husband whose wife was diagnosed with breast cancer had to literally put his work aside. He is in his 50s. He had to fight for her to get the treatment she deserves and needs because the HMO was trying so hard to save money. He had to threaten to go to the Los Angeles Times and tell his story--threaten--in order to get the care she needs. I had the mother of a little girl who was diagnosed with cancer in her eyes. She had to struggle and fight. She said: I gave up everything else I was doing. I could not be with my daughter. This is wrong. Senators can offer amendments until the cows come home and I know one thing: It is delaying passage of this bill. It is delaying the chance to vote on a strong Patients' Bill of Rights. Bring your amendments on. We are voting them down, most of them. If some of them are good, we will support them. But we want a strong Patients' Bill of Rights that says to our people: You are paying for this care. You deserve this care. If you are turned down for care, you deserve the right to a speedy appeal, and then for sure we want to hold the HMOs accountable if they hurt you or your family.”