The civilized side of the health care debate

The Associated Press just filed the following from Washington:

A House hearing on overhauling the nation’s health care system was briefly interrupted by a real-life medical emergency when a young intern collapsed.

Several lawmakers who are also physicians — Republicans Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania and Phil Gingrey of Georgia — rushed to her side Wednesday and helped her stand and shakily walk out.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, said the woman got dizzy, fell and hit her head. He said he hoped she’d be fine.

Waxman said that “we are distressed about this incident,” but joked that with good medical care even the prospect of the president’s health care bill wouldn’t prevent her from recovering. Waxman said, “maybe the hope of it will spur her on.”

Both of the physicians named above are Republican. Gingrey, of course, is from Marietta.

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