On the recordJune 28, 2017
I thank my friend, the ranking member from Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I am thrilled to hear my colleague talk about the Constitution. I am sorry that the Constitution that he is talking about doesn't include the right to a jury trial because that is the Constitution that I read. And this piece of legislation, H.R. 1215, will threaten that constitutional right. We have been told there is nothing to worry about in this bill because it will cover 100 percent of economic costs-- anything that comes with a receipt, we were told. I am going to tell you what is wrong with this bill and the stories of four people: a young child who goes in for a simple procedure and leaves the hospital paralyzed; a young adult who requires the amputation of his left leg, but the doctor amputates the right leg and he leaves the hospital with neither; the woman whose physician used his power to sexually assault her while she is sedated; and the rape of a nursing home patient by a trusted healthcare provider. Mr. Chairman, there will be no receipts that will cover the costs that those four individuals would suffer for the rest of their lives that could be turned in, compensated, and subject to this artificial cap. Why is it that my colleagues believe that they are in a better position to determine how those wronged individuals should be compensated for the atrocities that happened to them instead of allowing a jury of their peers do the same? This bill is not meant to help reduce costs.…
