    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [August 1, 2001]
    [Pages 937-938]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Patients' Bill of Rights Legislation
    August 1, 2001

        The President. Today I'm very pleased to announce that Congressman
    Norwood and I have reached an agreement on
    how to get a Patients' Bill of Rights out of the House of
    Representatives.
        Charlie started on this issue 6 years
    ago. He's worked diligently to protect Americans, patients, from
    wrongdoings. I appreciate so very much his spirit, because I share the
    same concerns. And now after long hard labors, we've reached an
    agreement on how to amend his bill, that will meet the principles that I
    outlined.
        When I first came to Washington, I gave--right after I came to
    Washington, I gave a speech that talked about the principles necessary
    for a Patients' Bill of Rights. In that speech, I wanted a bill--a bill
    that was good for patients, a bill that allowed for people to be able to
    air their grievances, a bill that did not encourage frivolous lawsuits.
        Charlie also shares the deep concern--
    I'll let him express his own concerns, but there's no question that he,
    himself, wanted to get a bill. He was practicing the art of what is
    possible. It's a spirit we need more of in Washington, people who come
    to this city with the intent of doing what's right, the intent of having
    accomplishment,

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    the intent of not playing--you know, bickering over politics and getting
    intransigence because you don't get everything you want.
        And so after a lot of labor and a lot of hard work and a lot of
    discussion, we shook hands in the Oval Office about 10 minutes ago. And
    Charlie is going to head up to the Hill.
    I've spoken to the Speaker. And he's going
    to take--we're going to work on the language of the agreed-upon
    amendment. And it'll give the Members something positive to vote for.
        I want to thank Charlie Norwood for his
    hard work, for his--the southern gentleman that he is--for his
    willingness to work with the White House. It's a good signal for a lot
    of folks in Capitol Hill.
        Now, Mr. Norwood.

    [At this point, Representative Charlie Norwood made brief remarks.]

        The President. Get to work up there on the Hill, Charlie. Thank you very much. I appreciate--[inaudible].
        Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:40 p.m. in the James S. Brady Briefing
    Room at the White House. The transcript released by the Office of the
    Press Secretary also included the remarks of Representative Norwood.