[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 107 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H6884]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORT DEMOCRATS' PATIENTS BILL OF RIGHTS

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, the Republican leadership has succeeded in 
steam rolling its HMO bill through the House, and patients should 
beware.
  The Republican bill is far worse than current law and riddled with 
loopholes. When you compare it to the Democrats' Patients Bill of 
Rights, you find there is no comparison at all.
  I just want to mention one negative aspect, just one negative aspect, 
of the Republican bill. It does not guarantee them access to a 
specialist. Under the Democratic bill, if they had cancer they could go 
directly to an oncologist. Under the Republican plan, they would still 
have to go see their primary care physician for a referral and there is 
no guarantee that they would get to see a specialist if they need one.
  Under the Republican bill, if they need to see a specialist outside 
of their HMO network and their HMO says no, they are out of luck.
  The Democrats' Patients Bill of Rights ensures that they will be able 
to go outside of their network at no cost to them if they need to see a 
specialist that their HMO does not have.
  Mr. Speaker, the President has said that he will veto the Republican 
bill if they send it to him in its current form, and the do-nothing 
105th Congress is running out of time.
  Let us send the President a bill he will sign, one that is written 
for patients, not insurance companies. Support the Democrats' Patients 
Bill of Rights.

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