Patient Bill of Rights

With the defeat of the consumer vs. HMO case before the Supreme Court, the drafting of a suitable patients' bill of rights becomes even more important.

Here's the message from the DCCC:

I'm sending you this urgent message because on Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that patients do not have the right to hold their HMOs accountable in a court of law. This is a dire situation, which demands our immediate attention- Americans need a comprehensive Patient's Bill of Rights.

I am asking you to stand with me and thousands of other Democrats in support of meaningful legislation that will guarantee 190 million Americans health care decisions by doctors — not by HMO bureaucrats.

http://www.democraticaction.org/petitions/HMOs.htm

We deserve the right to make our own health care decisions! And we MUST maintain the right to challenge HMOs that fail to provide adequate health care.

President George W. Bush promised during the 2000 Presidential campaign that if he became President, "people will be able to take their HMO insurance company to court." He disingenuously touted the law that passed in Texas while he was governor as proof of his resolve — without saying that he had actually vetoed one version of the law and then let it become law without signing it.

And in the case decided on Monday, his Administration actually argued AGAINST the Texas law before the Supreme Court. Call on President Bush to make a Patient's Bill of Rights a top priority by signing our petition:

http://www.democraticaction.org/petitions/HMOs.htm

Despite their pledge to complete a real bill, Republicans in Congress continue to delay action on a meaningful Patients' Bill of Rights.

That's why it's so important that you sign our petition to President Bush right now:

http://www.democraticaction.org/petitions/HMOs.htm

Then, help us make a national statement by forwarding this email on to five other friends or coworkers. We urgently need a strong bill that protects all Americans and all plans, so that doctors, not insurance companies, can make medical decisions. You can help make it happen!

Thank you,

Robert T. Matsui (D-CA)
DCCC Chairman