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Committee On Ways and Means FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE House Places Patients Ahead of Politics with Bipartisan Patients’ Bill Of Rights WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives tonight approved a bipartisan plan to deliver real patient protections and affordable healthcare to more Americans. The bill passed by a vote of 226 to 201, with 5 Democrats in favor of the plan. The Bipartisan Patient Protection Act includes key provisions to expand access to medical savings accounts to all Americans, proposed by Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA). "Tonight the House has placed the protection of America’s patients ahead of political gain, bringing six years of divisive disagreements to a rewarding conclusion," said Chairman Thomas. "Charlie Norwood’s leadership has played a key role in this success." "This bill is a giant step toward safeguarding the health of our nation, avoiding defensive medicine and providing coverage to the uninsured," he continued. Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Nancy Johnson (R-CT) stated, "America’s patients - average people with families, children - have won a major victory this evening. The compromise includes caps on damages which are essential to ensure that small businesses can continue to provide health care for their employees." |