Byron Dorgan: “Further inquiring, in circumstances where they might believe they have no choice, they don't have any money, and they…”

“Further inquiring, in circumstances where they might believe they have no choice, they don't have any money, and they have a desperately sick child, they are going to show up in an emergency room. If that emergency room doesn't turn them away--and some will--that child will get the most expensive or the costliest health care because that is where it costs the most to provide health care--in the hospital emergency room. That is why this approach is so important. I hear people say, what a radical thing to do, what an awful thing to do. This ought to be considered a baby step forward, but an important baby step, nonetheless, in doing what we are required to do in this country. Again, that is putting our children first, especially putting sick children first, sick children who come from families that do not have the money to find a way to get them to the doctor. That is what this is about. This ought to be a no brainer.”