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The Business of
Health Care Report The congressional debate over a patients' Bill of Rights continues. Almost everyone agrees we'll eventually see a Patients' Bill of Rights. But how far will it go to protect patients? And how much will that protection cost? Even as this broadcast airs, debate continues over the specifics. The main sticking point is whether patients will have the right to sue HMOs in state or federal courts. Democrats favor the state provision, with a higher limit on possible damages. Most Republicans and HMOs do not like that idea. They favor allowing lawsuits in federal courts, where punitive damages will be restricted. Both houses of Congress have passed versions of a bill previously, and the momentum for action threatens to override the need for prudence. At the moment the Democrats appear to have tactical advantage, since it is their proposal that will be debated. Provisions of the Republican bill will have to be offered as amendments on the Senate floor. If HMOs are to be targeted in a bill of rights, federal involvement is inescapable because some health plans escape state regulation. There are, however, advantages of having uniform laws applying to multi-state employers. As always, unintended consequences can apply with the passage of a Patients Bill of Rights. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that insurance premiums under the Democratic bill would likely rise by 4.2 percent compared with a projected 2.9 percent increase under the Republican plan. If so, either bill could wipe out coverage to thousands if not millions of citizens, who could no longer afford insurance or would no longer have it provided by their employers. If you have comments on health care or suggestions for topics to be addressed on this program, e-mail me at DouglasHawthorne@TexasHealth.org. Stay tuned to our weekly Business of Health Care reports here on TexasHealth.org and on News Radio 1080 KRLD. Source: U.S. Senate, Congressional Budget Office Doug Hawthorne - DougHawthorne@TexasHealth.org ©
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