Senate
"Patient Protection" Vote A Clear Victory For Consumers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Richard Coorsh
June 8, 2000
(202) 824-1787
e-mail: rcoorsh@hiaa.org
The following statement was released today by Chip Kahn, President of
the Health Insurance Association of America:
The Senate’s decision to table the so-called "patient protection"
amendment offered by Senators Daschle and Kennedy to the defense
department authorization bill is a clear victory for consumers seeking
affordable, high-quality health coverage. Once again, Senators have gone
on record against so-called "reforms" that would expose employers,
insurers, and health plans to the crushing costs of expanded liability.
While trial lawyers would no doubt benefit from having easy access to
the courts under this amendment, the high costs that would result would
force millions more Americans onto the rolls of the uninsured. We commend
the Senate for putting the interests of consumers ahead of those of the
trial bar, and we hope that this vote sends a strong signal to members of
the House-Senate conference committee meeting on this issue.
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