[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 102 (Monday, July 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PATIENT PROTECTION ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ANNE M. NORTHUP

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 24, 1998

  Mrs. NORTHUP. Mr. Speaker, our discussion on health care is extremely 
important, especially to residents in Kentucky. For the last few weeks, 
I have received calls and letters from patients stating that they want 
me to protect their rights to have health care--affordable health care. 
You see, Kentucky residents know what it is like to have very few 
choices in health care, to only have two insurers left in the state to 
offer health plans, and they know what it is like to have their health 
care premiums go through the roof. Well-meaning, but very poorly 
thought-out mandate-laden legislation on the state level created a 
monster they must face every day. We cannot have that happen 
nationwide.
  Kentucky residents have told me they must have affordable health 
care. The Republican bill which passed the House last Friday, H.R. 
4250, improves a patient's access to affordable health care and 
protects patients against abuses in the delivery of care. The bill 
allows employees to direct their health care benefits toward the 
coverage they deem most appropriate for themselves--if they want to 
have chiropractic care, they can choose a plan that offers these 
benefits. In addition, the bill makes Medical Savings Accounts a more 
attractive option, and permits individuals to participate in a Flexible 
Spending Account similar to the option currently provided to Kentucky 
state employees. The bill also would enable more small businesses to 
provide affordable health care coverage to their employees, an option 
which is not available right now.
  Patients also deserve to know that they can get quality health care 
when they need it. That is why H.R. 4250 guarantees women direct access 
to OB/GYN care and allows parents to have direct access to 
pediatricians so that they can get the care they need as soon as 
necessary. The bill prohibits health plans from restricting physicians 
from giving advice to a patient about the best medical treatment for 
that patient and requires health plans to provide information about 
their plans to patients, and allows patients to inspect their medical 
records.
  No one should argue with the fact that medical dollars should go 
strictly to medicine--not to administration of the plans and not to 
lawyers. Talking to my constituents, they have told me they want health 
care not court action. If their child is ill, they want them to see a 
doctor for care, not a lawyer. H.R. 4250 requires plans to provide 
written and understandable notice to patients of any negative coverage 
decision within 30 days (for emergencies or specialty care--72 hours); 
it allows patients to appeal a decision internally with a doctor who 
did not make the initial decision; and permits patients to request an 
external review within 30 days with one or more independent medical 
experts.
  This bill is about protecting the rights of patients to have 
affordable quality health care. It is the right bill for the 42 million 
Americans who currently have no insurance, and it is the right bill for 
those who currently have health insurance. It will provide more 
opportunities, more choices, and more patient control over health care 
decisions. It is a bill for children, women and families in Kentucky 
and throughout our nation.




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