[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 108 (Thursday, August 1, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8012-S8013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS--CONFEREES

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the majority 
leader, following consultation with the Republican leader, may turn to 
the consideration of Calendar No. 150, H.R. 2563, and the bill be 
considered under these limitations: Immediately after the bill is 
reported S. 1052 be passed by the Senate in lieu thereof; that no other 
amendments be in order, the bill, as amended, be read three times, and 
there then be 60 minutes of debate with the time equally divided and 
controlled between Senator Kennedy and Senator Gregg or their 
designees, and that upon the use or yielding back of the time, the 
Senate vote on passage of the bill; that upon passage the Senate insist 
on its amendment, request a conference with the House on the 
disagreeing votes of the two Houses, and that the Chair be authorized 
to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate without any intervening 
action or debate, with the ratio of conference being 6 to 5.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, reserving the right to object--I shall 
object at this point--let me make a couple of comments.

[[Page S8013]]

  I believe this is for the purpose of appointing conferees on the so-
called Patients' Bill of Rights. We have just received this 
notification tonight. We haven't consulted with everyone on our side. 
We have really no objection to appointing conferees. We just have to 
work it out.
  I will mention that the House passed this bill a year ago tomorrow on 
August 2. So we have been waiting to have conferees appointed for 
almost a year--364 days. We will be happy to do that. But since we just 
got this notification, and the majority wanted to do this, we have to 
consult with various interests and parties. We haven't had time to do 
that in the rush of business today.
  We will cooperate with the majority to get this done early when we 
return. But, at this point, I will have to object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have only to say that it doesn't matter. 
We have been busy here for the last 2 days, but they got the stuff 
yesterday. I understand the Senator's position. We wish we could go 
forward on this. There could be work done on the break. But we will 
work it out when we come back.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.

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