Chapter 36 - the vote
Three months later, Claire's proposal reached the state health committee.
The room was packed.
Hospital executives opposed it.
Patient advocates supported it.
Doctors were divided.
Claire stood at the microphone.
She didn't talk about Ryan.
She didn't talk about her billionaire father.
She didn't even talk much about herself.
She talked about women like Elena.
Women who didn't know the right person.
Women who didn't have money.
Women who couldn't fight a hospital while in labor.
"This isn't about taking power away from hospitals," Claire said.
"It's about making sure medical urgency has more power than financial influence."
A senator asked,
"And who guarantees your organization won't become another powerful institution?"
Claire smiled.
"Nobody."
The room became quiet.
"That's why I don't want unchecked authority."
She proposed public reporting.
Independent audits.
Rotating board members.
Patient representation.
Financial transparency.
And automatic review of every delayed high-risk transfer.
The vote was close.
Fourteen to eleven.
The proposal passed.
Claire walked outside.
Reporters surrounded her.
She answered only one question.
"Are you happy?"
Claire looked toward the hospital across the street.
"I'm relieved."
"What's next?"
May you like
Claire smiled.
"Making sure the rule works."
