    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [September 17, 1999]
    [Page 1553]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Proposed Patients' Bill of Rights Legislation
    September 17, 1999

        I am pleased that the House of Representatives will have an
    opportunity in just a few weeks to vote on a strong, enforceable
    Patients' Bill of Rights. This will, at long last, give Members of
    Congress an opportunity to put patients' interests ahead of the special
    interests.
        A bipartisan majority of the House has already expressed support for
    the Norwood-Dingell proposal, a plan that would provide for an
    enforceable set of meaningful patient protections that would be extended
    to all Americans in all health plans. I am confident that the Norwood-
    Dingell Patients' Bill of Rights will be adopted, if the House
    leadership permits a fair process for debating and voting on this
    important issue.