[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 95 (Thursday, July 16, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H5638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HMO REFORM IS NECESSARY

  (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to testify to the 
need for HMO reform. By now we have heard the endless list of reasons 
why HMO reform is necessary, but none are as meaningful as the story I 
will share with you today.
  Chicago residents Barbara and David Smith were vacationing in Hawaii 
when Barbara noticed that her body was badly bruised. At the hospital 
she was diagnosed with aplastic anemia and needed an immediate bone 
marrow transplant. However, her HMO refused to pay for the transplant 
in Hawaii, insisting instead that she return to Chicago for the 
operation.
  Seeing that she had no other choice, Barbara boarded a flight to 
Chicago, but suffered a stroke in midair. As a result, Barbara Smith 
died 9 days later, at the age of 55.
  The restrictions of Barbara Smith's HMO cost her her life. Not only 
did David Smith lose his wife, but he is unable to file a lawsuit 
against the responsible HMO.
  This is a devastating situation, and unfortunately, these situations 
are all too common. Too many lives have already been lost. Too many 
families have already been broken. Too many individuals have seen their 
health decline.
  The good news is we can stop this now. We can stop it by passing 
meaningful HMO reform.

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