    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [August 5, 1999]
    [Page 1387]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Proposed Patients' Bill of Rights Legislation
    August 5, 1999

        With today's announcement led by Drs. Ganske
    and Norwood and Congressman
    Dingell, it is clear that there is now a
    bipartisan majority of House Members ready to vote for a strong and
    enforceable Patients' Bill of Rights. Unlike the partisan Senate-passed
    bill, this bipartisan initiative is a Patients' Bill of Rights not just
    in name but in reality. It provides meaningful patient protections to
    all Americans in all health plans, and it holds plans accountable when
    their actions cause harm to patients.
        Today's action proves that patient protections need not and should
    not be a partisan issue. It is time to do what this bipartisan coalition
    has done, put the well-being of patients before politics and special
    interests. I call on Speaker Hastert to
    schedule a vote on this long-overdue legislation immediately upon return
    from the congressional recess in September.