[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 26 (Thursday, March 12, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with my colleagues a 
disturbing story from yesterday's Washington Post. Jacqueline Lee of 
Bethesda fell off a 40-foot cliff in the Shenandoah Mountains while 
hiking in the summer of 1996, was taken by helicopter to a Virginia 
hospital with fractures of her skull, arm and pelvis. Her HMO refused 
to pay the hospital, saying it failed to obtain ``preauthorization.''
  This decision by Jacqueline's HMO defies common sense, yet we all 
know that she is not alone. More and more Americans are finding 
themselves up against a wall that keeps them from getting the health 
care services that they need.
  This is wrong. When you are suffering from an accident or illness, 
you need to focus and have all your energies involved in getting well. 
You should not have to battle with your insurance company for the 
coverage that you deserve.
  This body needs to act on common-sense managed care reform. I urge 
the Republican leadership of this House to stop blocking reform, 
schedule a vote on managed care reform today.

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