Wednesday 7:25 p.m.

I’'m on my way to D.C. tonight to testify before the House Oversight Committee tomorrow. The Committee, of Valerie Plame and Roger Clemens fame, is chaired by Congressman Henry Waxman of California ,– a really smart guy. Connecticut's Chris Murphy and Chris Shays are also on the committee.

The Committee is looking into an issue we worked on here in Connecticut last year : post-claims underwriting abuses and insurance policy rescissions …

WHAT?

It'’s a practice used by some companies to take away a person'’s health insurance policy once they get sick. They'’ve been accused of waiting until someone has an expensive set of claims (think “cancer” or “heart attack” or “stroke”), and only then do they start doing the research into your medical history that they should have done before they wrote the policy. Once they find an excuse, – some undisclosed test or medical condition – the policy vaporizes.

The practice doesn'’t seem to be widespread, but when it happens it is devastating for patients and their families.

The Oversight Committee has broad investigative powers and seems ready to use them. They’re taking testimony tomorrow and I think there are 2 messages:

• To the companies: “Stop it.”

• To the state insurance departments across the country: “Get some good laws on your books FAST to prevent this practice. You act to stop it, or we will.”

It’s nice when Connecticut can claim they’'ve taken the lead on an issue –. This is one of those times. We passed our law last year --– first in the nation. While it hasn'’t been tested, the language is pretty strong.

I’'ve worked a lot with the Connecticut legislature over the years and coordinated with Members of Congress. This is my first run as a congressional witness. Nerves are running high.

I'’ll keep you posted from the road. OVERNIGHT train!! What was I thinking?

Thursday 5 a.m.

Two hours outside D.C. At each stop a new group of folks boards the train talking normally but not realizing that everyone inside is already asleep. Babies cry, adults tsk and we're on to the next stop.

Reading up on my fellow witnesses. A particularly disturbing story of a Utah couple, the Bleazards. They had a policy through the Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate, Regence. After Heidi had a mountain biking accident -- leaving her with a broken back, neck and head injuries -- Regence took away their insurance policy retroactive to the date it was issued. Why? Clearly Heidi didn't have a pre-existing mountain bike accident condition. No. The company took away the policy because they claim that her husband, Keith, didn't disclose his old back injury. The Bleazards were left with more than $100,000 in medical bills.

Should be interesting to see how the Oversight Committee reacts to their story.

11:15 a.m.

Done. First 45 minutes were tied up with procedural motions. Rep. Issa (CA) asked that the insurance industry be seated on the same panel as victims and advocates. Chairman rules: "no.". Next he made a motion. Failed. Next he wanted a roll call vote. Failed. Chairman Waxman then turns to him and asks: Are you really going to do this for the insurance industry? Ouch.

Testimony went smoothly. The committee announced a full-blown investigation of issue. There was broad recognition that states need to act now. Rep .Murphy acknowledged Connecticut's leadership on this issue. He commended the chairman for letting those without paid lobbyists thave their own panel

More reaction (aka fallout) to follow -- I'm sure.