After a three-year fight, the Republican-led Senate voted against the
real Patients' Bill of Rights again today by tabling an amendment
sponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy to spur action.
The Patients' Bill of Rights conference between the House and Senate
bills has lasted over eight months. There is no viable compromise in
sight. The Senate Republican leadership has irresponsibly avoided key
issues—including holding health plans accountable and making sure
workers with private health insurance are covered—while working families
continue to be held hostage to their health plans by HMO bureaucrats.
Working families have had to wait far too long for Congress to pass
meaningful managed care reform which protects patients, not profits.
It's time for Congress to get down to work and pass common sense managed
care reforms and ensure that every American family participating in a
health plan has the quality health care they deserve.
For more information, contact: Naomi Walker at
202-637-5093