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 Position on Domestic ViolencePresident's Message (Jean Aoki)LWV US Lobby RequestState Board ActionsEducation Committee Report (Mary Anne Raywid)In Memory of Marion Saunders 1908-1998Vote by Mail Study (Marian Wilkins)BOE Voter's GuideCon Con PamphletVolunteers NeededHoover on Advisory CommitteeLeague Local News - Hawaii CountyLeague Local News - HonoluluLeague Local News - Kauai County (Carol Bain) |
LWVUS Lobby RequestIn late July the House of Representatives narrowly defeated the League-supported H. R. 3605, the Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 1998, by a vote of 212-217. The House went on to pass H.R. 4250 that claims to provide managed care reform but falls far short of this goal. The Senate could be voting on health care legislation at any time in the next few weeks. Please contact your Senators today to urge them to support genuine patients' rights legislation and managed care reform. Use the points below in your lobbying efforts. The League of Women Voters strongly supports passage of S. 1890, the Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 1998 (the companion bill to H.R. 3605). S. 1890 guarantees basic health care protections, including the right to emergency room care using the "reasonably prudent person" standard and the right to have medical information kept confidential. This legislation will enable patients to receive clear information about different health care plans and establish an appeals process that will resolve grievances in a timely and balanced manner. The League opposed S. 2330, the Senate version of H.R. 4250 (called the Patients' Bill of Rights Act). While S. 2330 claims to provide managed care reform, it does not provide the comprehensive approach of S. 1890. S. 2330 does not ensure access to specialists and does not provide an adequate and timely appeals process. Furthermore, S. 2330 provides for widespread use of medical savings accounts that will undercut universal health care. Call your Senators today. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (202) 224-6361 or his local office at 522-8970, Hilo office at 9351114; Senator Daniel K. Inouye (202) 224-3934 or his Honolulu office at 541-2542, Hilo office at 9350844.
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