    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 23 (Monday, June 12, 2000)]
    [Page 1314]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Statement on the Senate Vote on the Patients' Bill of Rights

    June 8, 2000

        I am disappointed that today's vote in the Senate means that the
    American people will continue to wait for the long overdue patient
    protections that they deserve. However, we continue to enjoy
    overwhelming bipartisan support in the House of Representatives and are
    now within a single vote of a bipartisan majority in the Senate. I am
    encouraged by this progress and urge the supporters of a real Patients'
    Bill of Rights to redouble their efforts to pass this critically
    important legislation.