[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 10, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H3810-H3811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SUPPORT BIPARTISAN PATIENT PROTECTION ACT OF 2001

  (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, now that we are back from the 
Independence Day recess and the celebrations, the passage of the 
Patients' Bill of Rights, the one introduced by the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Ganske) and the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood), must be at the top of our agenda.
  This bill, the Bipartisan Patient Protection Act of 2001, is the only 
one which comprehensively reforms the current managed care system to 
better meet the needs of those who elected us.
  During the break misinformation and scare tactics continued. It is 
important that the American public know the

[[Page H3811]]

truth. Many of the ads say that the bill would raise the cost of 
insurance. Not true. What they fail to say is that in the past 3 years 
or so, the cost of managed care has already increased at an average of 
7.1 percent, and the increase is projected to be in double digits for 
this year. The ads also fail to tell us that while the costs have gone 
up, less services are covered.
  Where the same provisions have been enacted in States, there have not 
been any extraordinary increases in premiums or significant increases 
in lawsuits. What has happened is that the people in those States have 
been able to access medically necessary health care, and we need to 
extend that to the rest of the Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, let us pass the bill and let us move on to reduce 
disparities and provide universal coverage.

                          ____________________