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| Wilson Puts Patients First |
August 02, 2001 |
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| NM Lawmaker supports Patients’ Bill of Rights
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson and the House of Representatives took a major step today towards making our nation’s health care system more patient-friendly. Wilson voted for a strong and enforceable Patients’ Bill of Rights that will allow people to appeal HMO decisions to an independent board of doctors, and hold insurance companies and health plans accountable for substandard care. The House of Representatives passed HR 2563 226 to 203.
“I support the rights of patients, and I believe this bill has the best chance of becoming law,” said Wilson.
The following are the highlights of the bipartisan Patient’s Bill of Rights passed earlier today:
Improving Managed Health Plans
Improves overall health care quality by providing access to: emergency room care, OB/GYN, pediatric care, specialty care, continuity of care, prohibit gag rules, clinical trials, plan information, internal and external appeals, anti-discrimination, prescription drugs, internal and external review and state and federal liability.
Holding HMOs accountable while preventing unlimited lawsuits which increase the number of uninsured
* Provides patient protections and the right to appeal denials of medical care to an independent board of doctors;
* Guarantees patients new federal remedies to hold their health plans accountable when they have been injured by wrongful denial or delay of medical care;
Making Health Care More Accessible for 9 million Americans
* Establishes Association Health Plans (AHPs) to make it easier for small businesses to offer health care coverage; and
* Expands Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs) to make health care coverage more affordable.
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