[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H8971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PASS MEANINGFUL MANAGED CARE REFORM

  (Mr. GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Republican leadership has 
unveiled yet another proposal they hope will derail the efforts for 
meaningful HMO reform. Just when a bipartisan majority has reached a 
consensus on real HMO reform with the Norwood-Dingell bill, the 
Republican leadership is once again proposing harmful provisions for 
Americans' health.
  The American people want HMO reform. Instead of figuring out how to 
solve this, they just add poison pills to their proposed legislation.
  For months, we have been hearing from the Republicans that a 
Patients' Bill of Rights will increase costs and open employers to 
lawsuits. Well, in my home State of Texas, we passed many of these 
patient protections; and we have not had any lawsuits against 
employers. In fact, the only increase that we have seen is the increase 
in prescription medication that other States have had to do. In fact, 
there has been no exodus of employers from providing healthcare in 
Texas under Texas law. What Texas residents have is health care 
protection and provisions that should be included in a national law. 
They eliminate gag clauses, open access to specialists for women and 
children, a timely appeals process, coverage for emergency care, and 
accountability for those decision makers in healthcare.
  It is time to stop stonewalling and support a real Patients' Bill of 
rights.

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