Norwood, a leading supporter of managed care reform in the House, urged Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) to immediately move a compromise ERISA liability reform bill by Senator John Chafee (R-RI), that includes the right to sue managed care plans, although for limited damages.

"If there are problems with the Chafee approach, at least give us a chance to fix it in the House," urged Norwood.  "By including ERISA liability in a final Senate bill, we will be guaranteed that chance."  

Norwood says he believes the measure has a good chance of passing, although Senate members may be reluctant to commit in advance.  "12 other key patient protections have been allowed to fail.  But that didn’t prevent any of them from at least being offered.  It would be a travesty to not even allow this one to be considered, unless the strategy is to pass nothing and preserve the issue for the 2000 campaign." 

Norwood says that if the Senate refuses to address ERISA liability, House members will exhaust all efforts to ensure the provision is included in a House bill, and will insist that the measure be included in a final conference report. 
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