House Proceeding 07-22-09 on Jul 22nd, 2009 :: 2:49:40 to 2:52:45
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2:49:31 to 2:49:51( Edit History Discussion )

Dan Burton: as we've been talking about this and advocating for a strong public option to provide choice for patients out there, for those that are so in need of good care today, the other element of this is if they like the coverage they have, they can keep it. one problem is how insurance companies ar one after another.

2:49:40 to 2:52:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Dan Burton

2:49:52 to 2:50:12( Edit History Discussion )

Dan Burton: this whole idea and this notion that government's going to get in the way of people from being able to make decisions about their health care with their physician couldn't be more wrong. the problem that exists today is the bureaucrats that are in place today within some of the insurance companies that review these claims, one at a time, they're not your physician but

2:50:13 to 2:50:33( Edit History Discussion )

Dan Burton: they get this submital from a doctor and say, should we provide coverage or not and they reject the letter. before i came to congress, i was part of a commission that had the state superintendent of insurance, where the state regulatory reforms took place. we had the responsibility of trying -- having to work with patients to look at some denials.

2:50:34 to 2:50:54( Edit History Discussion )

Dan Burton: i'll share one story with you. one young lady i ran into, she said, ben, don't you do something with insurance? i explained, yes, i did, what's going on? her and her husband were trying to have a baby. they were not having much luck. think had a 1-year-old son but weren't having much luck. think went to the doctor and the doctor diagnosed them and said, there may be something

2:50:55 to 2:51:15( Edit History Discussion )

Dan Burton: wrong here. it turns out what they diagnosed her with was related to something that wasn't included in her coverage. they were trying to make the tie there saying, we diagnosed you with this illness about two years ago. but now that you're trying to have a son to grow your fily and live the american dream in their home that they just purchased, the insurance

2:51:16 to 2:51:37( Edit History Discussion )

Dan Burton: company said, well, we're not going to cover this as a matter of fact, youave to go back and pay two years, two years of bills that we've been treating you for. the family was in dire need because when they sent this when they tried to pay this bill, they were going to have to sell the home, be out on the street no telling what was going to happen to them.

2:51:38 to 2:51:59( Edit History Discussion )

Dan Burton: it turns out the insurance company wrongfully denied this claim. how many more millions of people are out there who have coverage today that are getting those claims denied? one of the strong elements of this piece of legislation is the consumerrotections built in. it's important that we talk about those. because as we talk about building a strong public option and providing protection and

2:52:00 to 2:52:20( Edit History Discussion )

Dan Burton: extending coverage and lowering costs, it's important that those who have coverage today will get protections they deserve. those opposed to this legislation aren't talking about these protections. people across the united states, people in my district, they want coverage and need coverage and they're crying out

2:52:21 to 2:52:41( Edit History Discussion )

Dan Burton: every day. it's about time we start listening to them. that's why i have to come down to my colleagues, my good friends visiting to the american people about the importance of this legislation we're working on. as we advocate for lower costs, for squeezing what we can out of the system to make sure we're looking out for the yen welfare of the american people and providing consumer

2:52:42 to 2:52:45( Edit History Discussion )

Dan Burton: protections americans deserve. with that, i yield back.