Greg Ganske: “tomorrow on the other side of the Capitol, in the Senate, debate begins on managed care reform legislation. I would like…”

“tomorrow on the other side of the Capitol, in the Senate, debate begins on managed care reform legislation. I would like to take my colleagues back to May 30, 1996, when a small, nervous woman testified before the House Committee on Commerce. Her testimony, Madam Speaker, was buried in the fourth panel at the end of a long day about the abuses of managed care. The reporters were gone, the television cameras had packed up, most of the original crowd had dispersed. Madam Speaker, she should have been the first witness that day, not one of the last. She told about the choices that managed care companies and self-insured plans are making every day when they determine medical necessity. This woman, Linda Peeno, had been a claims reviewer for several HMOs. Here is her story: "I wish to begin by making a public confession. In the spring of 1987, as a physician, I caused the death of a man. Although this was known to many people, I have not been taken before any court of law or called to account for this in any professional or public forum. In fact, just the opposite occurred. I was rewarded for this. It brought me an improved reputation in my job and contributed to my advancement afterwards. Not only did I demonstrate I could do what was expected of me, I exemplified the good company doctor. I saved half a million dollars." Madam Speaker, as she spoke, a hush came over the room.…”