[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 111 (Thursday, August 2, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H5182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN SUPPORT OF THE PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

  (Mr. FOLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, if we listen to the other side of the aisle, 
we get a clear theme coming out this morning. If it is not our way, 
send it down the highway. They say bipartisanship, but all they do is 
deride the things we have worked so hard for.
  I have worked with the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood) since 
1995 on a Patients' Bill of Rights and that man's heart is with 
patients. Their hearts are with trial lawyers. If we want to see how 
quick it is to file an action in court to get health care relief, our 
constituents will be waiting 5 years for a court to render a verdict.
  Under the Norwood bill and the President's proposal they will get 
health care now, not 5 years from now. To malign this bill and say it 
was done in the dead of night does a disservice to every Member who has 
fought for good patient protection.
  Now they are abandoning the very architect of that plan in the name 
of politics. They want to win the next election, but they will do it on 
the back of sick people. I believe people need help today; and if we 
pass the bill, they will get it today, not 5 years from now when a 
court may or may not rule in their favor.

                          ____________________