[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 162 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 162

Expressing the sense of Congress that any attempt at health care reform 
should ensure that patients have the right to choose their health care 
                               providers.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              July 8, 2009

   Mr. Nye submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of Congress that any attempt at health care reform 
should ensure that patients have the right to choose their health care 
                               providers.

Whereas a patient's freedom to choose health care providers based on the 
        patient's specific health needs, creates an initial trust and positive 
        rapport between the patient and the provider;
Whereas it is important to create trust and a positive rapport between the 
        patient and health care provider in order to maximize quality and ensure 
        the best possible outcome of care;
Whereas adherence, compliance of care, and treatment rely on the patient's trust 
        of the provider to understand the patient's health needs;
Whereas a patient may perceive mandated care, by a health care provider that the 
        patient did not choose, as care that does not address the patient's 
        needs, the patient may be then less likely to comply with treatment, 
        which could lead to medical complications that end in increased health 
        care system costs and diminished results;
Whereas having good rapport, as well as open and frequent communication, with a 
        provider is essential to creating a reassuring experience for the 
        patient and will help the patient feel confident about the treatment 
        recommended by the provider;
Whereas a strong patient-provider relationship may limit overutilization of 
        expensive tests and medical imaging;
Whereas honest and maintained communication between a patient and a provider 
        creates a complete record of the patient's health history, which aids in 
        determining susceptibility to particular diseases and medical 
        conditions, creating a more accurate diagnosis and effective plan for 
        treatment;
Whereas when a medical problem becomes worrisome, painful, or is difficult to 
        diagnose, it is natural that a patient might wish to seek care from a 
        physician, specialist, or a medical facility that is known to have 
        particular expertise and a patient who is close to a primary provider is 
        more likely to consult that provider to find a specialist who most fits 
        the patient's needs;
Whereas a patient who has not chosen a provider, and a positive relationship 
        does not exist with the provider, is more likely to ``physician shop'' 
        which may result in delayed care or inadequate service; and
Whereas a patient that respects, trusts, and positively relates to a health care 
        provider will be more likely to seek consistent and preventive care and, 
        without these, a patient's treatment of disease or chronic illnesses is 
        likely to worsen and medical complications may quickly arise: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) commits to uphold a patient's right to choose the 
        patient's health care provider; and
            (2) recognizes that patient choice results in--
                    (A) higher quality of patient care;
                    (B) lower overall costs; and
                    (C) more effective treatment outcomes.
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