[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 95 (Thursday, July 16, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H5639-H5640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          BEWARE OF THE REPUBLICANS' INSURANCE BILL OF RIGHTS

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address

[[Page H5640]]

the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I think the most important 
message we can give Americans this morning is buyer beware, beware of 
the Republicans' Insurance Bill of Rights. The Democratic Congress and 
caucus, and I am a wishful thinker, would like to offer the Patient 
Bill of Rights, because we believe that we need to read between the 
lines and make sure that we read the fine print.
  The Republican bill is for the insurance companies. It does not 
protect the rights of patients and doctors. It does not allow emergency 
room visits. It does not hold the insurance companies accountable. It 
does not respect the 77-year-old World War II veteran who walked the 
Japanese Death March, yet, when he went to pick up his prescription at 
a local hospital in my district, they turned him away because of some 
confusion with his HMO plan.
  In the hot sun of Texas he had to go back home without the necessary 
prescription drugs that he needed. Until he called our office to get 
relief, a World War II veteran was turned away from our standardized 
HMOs. The reason? The only words they know is no, I cannot serve you.
  Vote and support the Democratic Patient Bill of Rights.

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