Committee on Ways and Means

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Press Office (202) 225-8933
June 26, 2001

WASHINGTON - The passage of a compromise ‘Patients Bill of Rights’ gained momentum today with the unveiling of bipartisan legislation crafted by Dr. Ernie Fletcher (R-KY), Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT) and Rep. Richard Burr (R-NC). Ways & Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA) played a key role in reaching consensus on the proposal which will make quality patient care the top priority.

The compromise bill would ensure that needed patient protections are provided right away while limiting liability suits that would increase the cost of health insurance and the number of uninsured Americans.

"Republicans and Democrats fundamentally agree on many patient protections. Women should have direct access to their OB-GYN. A child with leukemia should have direct access to his oncologist. An elderly couple injured in a car crash should expect their emergency room treatment to be covered," said Ways & Means Committee Chairman Thomas.

"If there is, and has been, bipartisan agreement on these important patient protections, why hasn’t Congress already made them the law of the land? In one word, lawsuits," Thomas explained.

"A patient bill of rights only has meaning if real people can afford health insurance. HMOs should be held accountable, but more trial lawyers and excessive legal battles will not improve patient care, they will just make it more expensive," Thomas asserted.

"Common sense tells us that health care decisions should be made by doctors in hospitals, not lawyers in courtrooms," Thomas added. "Our proposal places medical decisions in the hands of practicing physicians to ensure that patients get the care they need when they need it."

Summary of the Bill --  Text of Legislation