Contact: |
Johanna Schneider |
|
(202) 872-1260 |
Release Date: |
06/08/2000 |
(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—The Business Roundtable (BRT) today
commended those members of the U.S. Senate who voted against
the Kennedy-Dingell-Norwood bill – a bill that would expose
employers to costly new health care lawsuits, driving up the
costs of health insurance for working Americans.
“It is unfortunate that Senator Kennedy has chosen to
circumvent his colleagues who are part of a conference
committee considering patients’ rights legislation,” stated
Samuel L. Maury, president of The Business Roundtable.
“However, we applaud those members of the Senate who opposed
the Kennedy-Dingell-Norwood amendment and its expanded
liability provisions that would be detrimental to the health
benefits of every employee. Both employees and employers would
be better served with a quick independent review process to
resolve patient disputes.”
A May 2000 Zogby public opinion poll shows more than 70
percent of the public support a quick, independent review
compared with new lawsuits.
“The looming threat of being hauled into court will leave
many employers with no other choice but to reduce benefits,
increase premiums and out-of-pocket costs, or eliminate
coverage altogether. This would further burden American
families and businesses by driving up the cost of health
benefits and forcing millions more into the ranks of the
uninsured,” said Maury. “We hope Congress will put the health
benefits of millions of Americans who receive
employer-provided health insurance over the desire to create
an onslaught of new health care lawsuits.”
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The Business Roundtable is an association of
chief executive officers of leading corporations with a
combined workforce of more than 10 million employees in the
United States. The chief executives are committed to
advocating public policies that foster vigorous economic
growth and a dynamic global economy.