340: Chapter 340 FDA Surrenders

The queue outside Basel University Hospital was even longer.

They were all Americans.

Some sat in wheelchairs, some leaned on crutches, and others lay on stretchers. The hospital security guards had to set up cordon tapes to maintain order.

Nurse Anna stood at the door, holding a stack of registration forms.

Thirty-year-old Anna had worked at Basel University Hospital for five years and had seen countless patients. But she had never seen a scene like this.

She said to the reporter's camera, "We have already taken appointments for 120 American patients today. Nuwa CRISPR-3 Gene Therapy, Yiqi, and Huatuo No. 2 surgeries are all booked until next year."

In the middle of the line, a middle-aged American man leaning on crutches smiled bitterly and said to his companion, "We are the lucky ones. Those still queuing in the US don't know how long they will have to wait."

The next morning at 10:00 AM, Washington.

The headquarters of the American Health Insurance Association was on K Street, an inconspicuous gray building. But at this moment, the conference room was packed with reporters.

Association Chairman Scott Sell stood on the podium.

Sixty-year-old Sell had worked in the insurance industry for forty years, rising from an entry-level underwriter to Association Chairman. He had seen countless storms, but today's decision might be the boldest of his career.

He cleared his throat, "After negotiations with Xingchen Medical, major US private health insurance companies—UnitedHealth, Anthem, and Cigna—have decided: effective immediately, expenses for American patients receiving Xingchen Medical treatments in Switzerland, Germany, and other European Union countries can be reimbursed according to US standards."

There was an uproar in the press section.

Someone raised their hand, "Mr. Sell, does this mean you are tacitly admitting that the FDA's delay was a mistake?"

Sell smiled bitterly, "We are just insurance companies. Clients want to go to better places for treatment, and we follow our clients."

Another reporter pressed, "Does this mean the US government has lost control of the medical system?"

Sell was silent for three seconds. Then he said, "The government is the government. We are businesses. Businesses must be responsible for their clients."

September 13th, 10:00 AM, Washington.

The FDA headquarters press conference was held in the auditorium next to the Situation Room.

Stephen Hahn stood on the podium with a haggard face.

Fifty-five-year-old Hahn had worked at the FDA for twenty years, rising from an entry-level reviewer to Commissioner. He had seen countless controversies, but this time, he knew he was on the wrong side of history.

His voice was soft, almost inaudible, "After a comprehensive data review, the FDA has decided to approve the Huatuo No. 2 surgical robot and Nuwa CRISPR-3 Gene Therapy for the US market."

There was no applause. Only sharp questions from reporters:

"Commissioner Hahn, why the three-month delay?"

"European patients have already recovered, while US patients are just now getting approval. How do you explain that?"

"Patients are suing the government for being 'unconstitutional.' How do you respond?"

Hahn wiped his sweat, said nothing, and hurried off the stage.

On the top floor of Xingchen Headquarters, in Su Chen's office, sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Lin Wan stood behind him and handed over a report.

Twenty-six-year-old Lin Wan was wearing a dark suit, her short hair looking sharp. Her expression was calm, but her eyes flashed with excitement.

"Mr. Su, the FDA has approved it. But our production capacity—"

Su Chen took the report and scanned it quickly.

Xingchen Medical Production Status (September 2018)

Huatuo No. 2 Surgical Robot: Annual output 50 units

Nuwa CRISPR-3 Gene Therapy: 2,000 people per year

Yiqi/Xing Kangning capacity: Can cover 500,000 patients per year

Order Queue Status

Huatuo No. 2: 280 orders (global), booked until 2022

Nuwa CRISPR-3 Gene Therapy: 12,000 appointments, booked until 2023

Yiqi/Xing Kangning: Over 2 million appointments, priority given to the European Union

Su Chen put down the report and looked out the window.

"Tell the American patients that we welcome them. But they must queue. First come, first served; it's only fair."

Lin Wan asked, "Will there be trouble over in the US?"

Su Chen smiled, "Trouble? They should be making trouble for their own government. We are just shipping orders in sequence."

The next day in Washington, at the Federal Court.

Outside the courthouse, it was packed with news trucks. Satellite dishes stood everywhere, and reporters stood in front of their cameras, broadcasting live across the United States.

Inside the courtroom, every seat was taken. A group of American patients and their families were collectively suing the United States government.

The plaintiff's representative was Robert Miller—a sixty-five-year-old Alzheimer's patient. He sat in a wheelchair, his eyes somewhat hollow, though occasionally flashing with a glimmer of clarity.

His lawyer stood before the judge, his voice loud and clear:

"The FDA's delay caused American patients to miss the optimal window for treatment. This is an infringement on citizens' right to life. We demand compensation from the government and that they bear the extra costs for patients traveling to Europe for treatment."

The judge was silent. In the gallery sat dozens of patients in wheelchairs.

The cameras focused on them. It was a live broadcast to the entire nation.

At the same time, in the Oval Office of the White House.

The President sat behind his desk, watching the court's live broadcast on TV.

The sixty-year-old President looked ten years older at this moment. His hair was messy, and his tie was crooked—something that would have been absolutely impossible in the past.

Hawke stood to the side, his face livid.

Fifty-eight-year-old Hawke had once been the most powerful person in the White House. Every word he spoke could make an entire industry tremble. But at this moment, there was only confusion in his eyes.

The President asked, "Hawke, do you have any other ideas?"

Hawke opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

The President sighed, "Hawke, where has your 'tough line' led the United States? Sanctions failed, blockades failed, military threats failed. Now, even patients are suing the government."

Hawke bowed his head.

The President waved his hand, "You can go. You don't need to come to work tomorrow."

Hawke was stunned. He turned slowly and walked toward the door.

The door closed behind him.

Outside the window, the autumn colors of Washington were in full bloom. But Hawke could not see them.

He walked with his head bowed, through the long corridor, into the elevator, and out of the White House.

Outside, the sunlight was blinding. He stood there for a moment, then disappeared into the crowd.