[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 5971]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  SUPPORT CONYERS-DINGELL ALTERNATIVE

  (Ms. LEE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5. This bill 
claims to protect patients' rights but, in fact, it strips away the 
rights of patients, especially women, seniors, children, and lower 
income families.
  It does protect someone, however. It protects HMOs, the insurance 
industry, and the pharmaceutical companies.
  Medical malpractice is a serious issue, but so is medical error. 
Thousands of Americans die every year due to medical mistakes and 
thousands more are injured and placed at risk. The wrong limbs have 
been amputated. Improper transplants have been performed. These are 
real people, real examples, and real injuries and deaths, not frivolous 
lawsuits.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5 would restrict the rights of such legitimately 
and seriously injured patients.
  The Conyers-Dingell alternative offers meaningful reform without 
putting Americans at risk. Conyers-Dingell would eliminate frivolous 
lawsuits, increase competition, and reduce costs. It would address the 
crisis situation faced in some geographic areas, but not by sacrificing 
crucial protections.
  I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 5 and to protect patients' rights 
by supporting Conyers-Dingell.

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