[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 102 (Friday, July 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORT OF THE PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF 
                       HEALTH CARE FOR HISPANICS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 20, 2001

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, every American is concerned with good health 
and accessing quality health care. However, far too many Americans 
including many Hispanics do not have adequate health care options. When 
Health Maintenance Organizations, HMOs, were first introduced, they 
were promoted as cost-saving revolutions in preventative health care. 
However, what subscribers did not anticipate is that their health care 
options would be restricted. It is dangerous for health related 
decisions to be taken away from doctors and health care professionals 
and assigned to HMOs, insurance companies, and corporate bureaucrats.
  With 37 percent of the Hispanic population lacking health insurance, 
access is a huge issue. However, access to coverage does not always 
translate into access to quality health care. Many Latinos with health 
insurance experience numerous barriers to quality health care. Anyone 
who deals with the bureaucracy of managed care plans knows that it is 
daunting; for those with limited English skills, it is overwhelming. 
Two-thirds of privately-insured Latinos are enrolled in managed care, 
while only about half of privately-insured Whites are in managed care. 
Hispanics are thus, more likely to be the victim of care delayed, or 
more even disturbing, care denied. In addition, Hispanics are more 
likely to have limited provider options and limited treatment options.
  We must enact patient protections for all Americans in managed care 
plans. In so doing, we are not only protecting Hispanics, but all 
Americans. We must pass the bipartisan Patients' Bill of Rights and 
return medical decision to patients and their doctors.
  Again, I encourage my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.

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