Mike Levin: “let me give you a real live example of the major differences between these two bills. Twenty-five years ago one of my…”

“let me give you a real live example of the major differences between these two bills. Twenty-five years ago one of my constituents was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. A battery of medications have been developed in recent years that can often slow the course this disease, but it is expensive. His doctor prescribed the medication, but then the HMO said, ``You need another opinion.'' The day after he went to that second doctor, he received a letter from the HMO stating no way would they pay for the drug. So my constituent called that second neurologist and he said he had not even spoken to the HMO. Then the HMO said the reason my constituent was denied access to the drug was that he was at stage seven of MS, and there was no published research about the use of this drug on stage seven MS. So even though two doctors believed that he would benefit from the medication, they were overruled by the HMO. Ganske-Dingell, the Patients' Bill of Rights Act, would help avoid situations like this. Vote for Ganske-Dingell.”