[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 97 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         MANAGED CARE BILL OF RIGHTS FOR CONSUMERS ACT OF 1996

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                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 1996

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to introduce a 
crucial piece of legislation--the Managed Care Bill of Rights for 
Consumers Act of 1996. I introduced this legislation in response to a 
repulsive and dangerous trend taking place in this country. Seven out 
of ten Americans are now in some form of managed care plan. Although 
this newest form of health care has been successful in cutting costs, 
it has done so at the expense of patient care. Working class people are 
falling victim to a cruel and vicious system that far too often puts 
profits before people.
  Health care companies should make people healthy, not sick, yet 
enrollees with specific or rare diseases are not provided specialists 
to treat their illnesses. Even more alarming, HMO patients are 
routinely denied compensation for emergency room visits and managed 
care companies often include financial perks in the contracts of 
doctors who withhold patient services and lab reports in order to save 
money. So while ultra wealthy HMO's are making billion dollar profits, 
working class families are paying for those profits with their health 
and in some cases their lives.
  My bill seeks to eliminate these problems and many more by ensuring 
that there is a wider variety of care providers to choose from and that 
providers are geographically accessible to patients. Moreover, my bill 
seeks to prohibit unhealthy HMO policies by allowing out of network 
options for specialists and emergency room care without prior approval.
  I implore my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in 
sponsoring this essential piece of legislation. Assist me in 
safeguarding the American citizens' access to quality, affordable 
health care.

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