[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H97]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1115
                        PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, 4 months ago we passed a bipartisan 
Patients' Bill of Rights. This is a monumental piece of legislation to 
reform HMOs. It provides basic rights of care for all Americans. It 
ensures that we are able to choose our own doctors; that we have access 
to the nearest emergency room; that we have a specialist when we need 
one, if we need one for our health; and, yes, indeed, to hold HMOs 
accountable for the medical decisions that they are making every single 
day.
  Unfortunately, the GOP leadership continues to stall this 
legislation. I call upon the Republican leadership to stop their delay 
tactics, pass meaningful HMO reform. This is a bipartisan bill; we have 
broad support amongst the rank and file Members. We must act to give 
160 million Americans access to health care in this country. We owe it 
to the American people to enact this legislation and to enact these 
reforms now.

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