[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 134 (Wednesday, October 6, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H9414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NORWOOD-DINGELL BILL PUTS THE CARE BACK INTO HEALTH CARE

  (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, the Republican leadership and managed 
care companies did not tell the American public the truth about why 
they oppose the Norwood-Dingell bill. They said that they were 
concerned that medical necessity provisions went too far. But how can 
one argue against physicians and their patients using their trained or 
best judgment?
  They said that they were concerned that employers would be liable. 
But H.R. 2723 makes sure that businesses are protected.
  So it came down to what their opposition is really about, the 
accountability of managed care companies for the medical decisions that 
they make. Tell me, why should every other business or company be 
liable for negligence or damages for the products they make, and this 
one kind of business not be held accountable for the life and death 
decisions that they make, not the doctors.
  The only bill that is real managed care reform that puts the business 
of medicine back in the proper perspective and puts the care back into 
health care is the Norwood-Dingell bill. Let us pass that bill today. 
The American people need and want us to do that.

                          ____________________