[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 52 (Wednesday, May 4, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to share with my colleagues 
an experience that I had this morning that I wish each and every one of 
them could have shared.
  Today, I joined with several Senators and the First Lady at a hearing 
to listen to the concerns of parents who care for chronically ill 
children. The children were there too, and they participated 
attentively.
  Mr. President, there was not one person in that room who has a heart 
who was not moved beyond words at what they heard from these loving 
families.
  Seeing these moms and dads in that room with children who have 
terrible disabilities, disabilities which require almost constant care, 
seeing the affection that these families have and then listening to 
them talk about the horror stories they are facing because of the 
current health care system left everyone in the room with the sense 
that we must summon up every ounce of courage we have to pass health 
care reform now.
  There was a little boy there from my State of California named 
Christopher Monkman, 7 years old. You know, it is hard to describe a 7-
year-old as a fighter. But Christopher Monkman is a fighter. He has 
been through intensive care many times--a kidney transplant, diabetes, 
deafness, and chronic lung disease. Yet, when anyone came up to him, he 
would smile and put out his hand, Mr. President. He has suffered more 
than most of us could imagine going through in a lifetime--and he is 7 
years old. He is fighting for survival and to be with those who love 
him. But let me tell you about his health insurance, because his health 
insurance is what is wrong with this country. It is a disgrace. When 
Christopher and his mother should be spending all their time trying to 
get Christopher better, they have learned that his maximum benefits 
will run out very soon, and at 7 years old, he will be uninsurable and 
uninsured.
  Mr. President, the one message I want to leave here today on this 
subject is this: The only way that loving family can be certain to get 
health care for Christopher is if that child leaves his family and 
becomes a foster child. That is the only way they are certain he will 
be covered by insurance. It is either that, or the family becomes 
completely destitute.
  Mr. President, we have heard many eloquent speeches on this floor, 
and we will hear more--and I hope we hear more. I just want to say to 
my friends and my colleagues today that if that story is not enough to 
get us to act now, to make sure that we reform health care so that 
insurance can never be taken away, so that there will be no limits, 
what is the point of insurance, Mr. President, if it is there when we 
are well, and it is gone when we are sick? It makes no sense.
  So I wanted to share that story with my colleagues today.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. D'AMATO addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Boxer). The Senator from New York is 
recognized.

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