Patrick Kennedy: “today I stand on behalf of Kathryn Carberry in my State of Rhode Island. She was released too quickly from the hospital…”

“today I stand on behalf of Kathryn Carberry in my State of Rhode Island. She was released too quickly from the hospital because her insurance company denied her treatment for a breast operation that she had and continued treatment for that. I also stand on behalf of Deborah Kushner's little boy who was nearly killed because her HMO denied treatment in an emergency room. The Republican leadership have refused any committee debate with full and free testimony because they are afraid of these stories. Now they come up with a bill that is a product of the HMO industry itself. We have waited for managed care reform, so why should we settle for the HMO's own plan. This bill leaves out so many crucial provisions, it is almost laughable. Where is the provision against drive-through mastectomies that could have saved Ms. Carberry's life. It is not in there. Where is the prudent layperson for Mrs. Kushner's son? It is not in there. Where is the provision to hold accountable these HMOs? It is not in there. Every other product in this country can be held liable but managed care organizations. It is time we put a stop to managed care organizations who are practicing medicine without a medical license.”