As the low murmur of conversations tapered off, the Senate Committee on Health and Demography's hearing room fell into a respectful silence. At the center of the room, behind a broad desk bedecked with microphones and placards bearing their names, sat the members of the committee, each one prepared with notes and digital devices.
Senator Emilio Alonzo, chair of the committee, stood to address the room. He adjusted his glasses before speaking into the microphone.
