[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12637-12638]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                  BIPARTISAN PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, before we adjourned for the recess, the 
Senate passed the bipartisan McCain-Kennedy-Edwards Patients' Bill of 
Rights and proved that protecting patients' rights is not a partisan 
issue. We can all be proud of the strong bipartisan compromises we 
reached which have the support of virtually every health care provider 
group in this country. This bill has achieved such overwhelming support 
because it represents a balanced approach to ensuring patient safety 
and health plan accountability without significantly raising premiums 
or employer costs.
  This landmark legislation will ensure that every privately insured 
American can enjoy important patient protection. For example, the bill 
will ensure that patients can have access to emergency room care; women 
can easily access OB/GYN services; children can access the specialty 
care they need; patients can access the prescription drugs prescribed 
for them; patients can participate in potential lifesaving clinical 
trials; patients can access necessary specialists, even if it means 
going out of the plan's provider network; chronically ill patients can 
receive the specialty care they need in an attempt to save their lives; 
patients with ongoing health care needs have continuity of care; and 
patients can hold their managed care plan accountable when plan 
decisions to withhold or limit care result in injury or death.
  When I went home this past week people said, What does the bill do? 
Briefly, it is very old-fashioned in nature. It allows a doctor to 
render care that that doctor believes is appropriate to take care of 
that patient, whether it be prescribing drugs, whether it be surgery or 
other treatment. That is what the bill does.
  Passage of this bill would not have been possible without the 
dedication and hard work of many people. First of all, the 
distinguished majority leader, Mr. Daschle, was involved in this 
legislation in its formative stage and every day we were in the 
Chamber. I think this showed to the American public what most of us 
have known for many years--that Senator Daschle really is a great 
leader. He indicated we were going to finish the bill before the Fourth 
of July break. Some people smiled, some snickered, and some thought it 
would be totally impossible. But it was done. It was done with all 
amendments being offered. Cloture was not filed. It was the way 
legislation should move. We spent some long hours in this Chamber, but 
as a result of his leadership we were able to do this work. This is an 
issue on which he has been working for 5 years; for 5 years we have 
waited to pass this meaningful and enforceable Patients' Bill of Rights 
that will protect all privately insured Americans. And I say again, 
Senator Daschle was able to forge bipartisan support for this critical 
legislation and ensure passage as a result of his patience.
  We indeed also have to acknowledge the work done by the chairman of 
the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Senator Ted 
Kennedy. He was on this floor every minute of every day not only for 
the 2 weeks it took to pass the Patients' Bill of Rights but for 2 
weeks prior to do the education bill. He has worked on this issue 
longer than anyone, was able to confront every contentious amendment, 
and managed to keep the integrity of the bill totally intact. Senator 
Kennedy did great work. It shows what a fine Senator he is. Those of us 
who depend on him for leadership always

[[Page 12638]]

have this bill to look to, to indicate what a great Senator he is.
  Senator Kennedy has had wide experience. One of the leaders in this 
bill was someone without the experience of Senator Kennedy but who did 
great work: Senator Edwards of North Carolina. He proved his skill, his 
leadership, and his dedication to being a legislator by his work on 
this meaningful Patients' Bill of Rights. He has, since he came to the 
Senate, been a tireless voice for America's patients, and I and the 
rest of America are grateful for his contributions to the rest of this 
legislation.
  Finally, I extend my thanks to Senator John McCain from the other 
side of the aisle. During his run for President of the United States, 
Senator McCain promised the American people he would work to pass a 
Patients' Bill of Rights, and he did that. His name was first on this 
bill and he was involved as we proceeded through this legislation. He 
has been an extraordinary leader on this issue. Without his work, this 
bill would not have been possible.
  It would not be fair to talk only about the proponents of this 
legislation. Senator Judd Gregg did an outstanding job on this bill. He 
was here the entire 2 weeks. He had some difficult issues to work 
through. I think he did an excellent job of bringing the amendments 
that were meaningful to the floor at the right time. We were able to 
have complete and fair debate. I always had great appreciation of him.
  I served with Senator Gregg when he became a Member of the House of 
Representatives. He left to become a two-term Governor of the State of 
New Hampshire. He came back--to the Senate.
  I always had great respect for his abilities and certainly they were 
evident during the work he did on the Patients' Bill of Rights. Even 
though he was on the losing side of votes on many of the amendments 
that were offered, he was always a gentleman and a scholar. I think he 
did himself and this Senate very well with his work.
  The Senate-passed Patients' Bill of Rights contains every one of the 
patient protections listed in President Bush's statement of principles. 
I hope the House of Representatives will work towards swift passage of 
this bill and that the President will sign into law this truly 
bipartisan legislation that will improve the quality of life for all 
Americans.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Chair will state the time until 12:30 
p.m. will be under the control of the Senator from Illinois, Mr. 
Durbin, or his designee, and from 12:30 p.m. until 1 p.m. the time will 
be under the control of the Senator from Wyoming, Mr. Thomas, or his 
designee.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, if the Senator from Wyoming wishes to say a 
few words, I am happy to yield him time under our time. How much time 
does the Senator want?
  Mr. THOMAS. I was going to ask the question the President pro tempore 
has already answered. Thank you.
  Mr. REID. The Senator from North Dakota has the rest of the time.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from North Dakota.

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