[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 21, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H5968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              PASS THE DEMOCRATIC PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

  (Mr. STUPAK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, Democrats want to make sure that good health 
care is the right of every American. You pay for it. You deserve it. 
And you should have the right to demand the medical treatment you need.
  The Republican leadership and insurance companies believe that they 
and not you will determine your medical coverage. So the insurance 
companies and the Republican leadership continue to allow gag orders on 
doctors and nurses in managed care plans. HMOs tell doctors and nurses 
and you what medical treatment you will receive, not what medical 
treatment you need. They gag your doctor.
  Democrats believe you and your doctor should decide what medical 
treatment you need. No more gag orders. The Republican leadership 
continue to place a gag order on the American people and refuse to hold 
hearings on the Patients' Bill of Rights. So Democrats want to lift the 
GOP gag order. We are holding hearings on the Patients' Bill of Rights 
in Room 2237 of the Rayburn Building.
  Democrats want to make sure that health care is the right of every 
American. You pay for it, you deserve it. You have the right to demand 
the medical treatment you need. Lift the gag order, Mr. Speaker. Pass 
the Democratic Patients' Bill of Rights.

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