[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,

[[Page 938]]

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.