    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 37 (Monday, September 20, 1999)]
    [Page 1762]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Statement on 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.