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| Washington, DC — The nation got a sneak peak at what might be
some of the elements of a bi-partisan managed care reform package,
thanks to a rough draft outline of the first half of the package that was
leaked to the press today. A discussion draft of the Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act of 1999 was provided to the media and several members of Congress by U.S. Representative Greg Ganske (R-IA). Ganske had been working with Representatives Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Charlie Norwood (R-GA), under a request from Health and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Michael Bilirakis (R-FL). The two doctors and one dentist were working towards a package of bills that would draw broad bi-partisan support. Norwood says the release of the rough draft is grossly premature, and that he and Rep. Coburn are at a loss as to what led their colleague to release the unfinished work. In a joint statement, Norwood and Coburn expressed dismay at the leak: "For reasons only he can tell you, Dr. Ganske felt it was necessary to release a draft bill…We are sincerely disappointed in his action because our work is incomplete. The two of us will continue to work together to complete the task we have been assigned. We strongly believe in the consensus patient protections that will ensure that patients get the care they paid for when they need it. We also recognize the importance of having health insurance. The two of us gladly accepted the challenge to work on legislation to address both issues." Norwood and Coburn say they were operating under an agreement to
jointly release the finished package to Commerce Committee Chairman Tom
Bliley (R-VA). Norwood says, "the final bill will contain
significant differences from the draft released by Rep. Ganske
today. In addition, there will be an entirely separate bill dealing
with the affordability of health insurance. It is disappointing that
Rep. Ganske will not be participating in the final version of either bill,
but his withdrawal from the effort will at least speed the process
along." | |
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