Patients Bill of Rights: I led the fight for legislation (H.R. 358/ H.R. 2990) to give patients and doctors more control over health care services, and to guarantee patients the right to choose their own doctor. The bill also ensures that medical decisions are made by medical professionals, not insurance companies. This legislation was approved by the House of Representatives in October of 1999. I will continue to fight for this important initative until it becomes law. Mental Health: I was pleased to join Tipper Gore, President Clinton, Vice-President Gore, and the First Lady at a White House conference designed to increase public understanding of mental illness and its impact on society. I served as moderator of one of the key discussion sessions at the day-long event. Mental health parity is one of my highest priorities in Congress. I was an original cosponsor of HR 1515, legislation that closes the insurance gap between those receiving mental health treatment and those receiving medical or surgical treatment. Medical Privacy: I cosponsored H.R. 1057, the Medical Records Privacy Act, to provide individuals with access to their own medical information, ensure personal privacy of their medical records, and impose criminal and civil penalties for unauthorized use of protected health information. Health Research: Through a series of legislation, I continuously supported increased research funding for studies on cancer, diabetes, ALS, and other serious illnesses. I am proud that my staff and I have participated in numerous local charity events to draw attention to the need for increased funding and support for people with cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, and cancer.