(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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