Kirk Watson: “I would just like to read some of the 51 stories of Americans with cancer who suddenly find themselves overburdened with…”

“I would just like to read some of the 51 stories of Americans with cancer who suddenly find themselves overburdened with medical bills, and they have gaps in their coverage. These are real people, Mr. Speaker. These are real Americans who are calling out to us. As you know, we've had two very fine proposals coming from Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama that would address access to health care. Over on our side, in our House, we have the valiant efforts over the years of Congressman John Conyers, Jr. He would have been here today, but there was a conflict. But he will continue the drum beat and the call for us to get down to business so we can have accessible health care. I'd like to take some time to read you the plight of real Americans. This one is Susan M. She said, ``My husband, Tom, was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1996, just 4 months after our daughter was born. He underwent three series of chemotherapy before dying of encephalitis in 2001. At that time the entire family was insured through his employer. ``The monthly premiums went to $900 per month, and since I had left my job to care for him, I didn't have many options. I was able to get the kids covered by Medicaid, and I signed up for Ingram Health, which only covers doctors visits and prescriptions, not hospitalization or long-term treatment. This carried us along until a mammogram showed I had breast cancer in 2006, then I was put in to the breast and cervical cancer program.”