[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 133 (Tuesday, October 5, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H9311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  GOP OBSTACLES TO PATIENT PROTECTIONS

  (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to set the record straight on 
managed care reform. Just this week, the GOP leadership accused the 
President of trying to rush through a health plan simply to get it done 
and said that, ``Republicans want to get it done right, not fast.''
  However, Republicans want it done right for their special interests 
like insurance companies, not for the American people. Their plan would 
protect insurance companies from liability, rather than protect 
patients when insurance bureaucrats deny them care. Our proposal on the 
other hand is the right approach for the American people. We guarantee 
patients the right to hold plans accountable when they arbitrarily deny 
medical care.
  The Republican leadership's proposal is right for insurance companies 
because it lets insurance bureaucrats rather than doctors make 
decisions about medical treatment. Our proposal is right for the 
American people because it ensures that doctors make medical decisions 
that are in the best interest of a patient, not the health plan.
  So I ask, who is really doing what is right for the American People?

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