Editorial: Remove hindrances to vote on HMO bill

Friday, June 18, 1999 | 9:31 a.m.

On Wednesday there was a glimmer of hope that partisanship in the Senate might take a back seat on health care issues: The Senate passed 99-0 a bill that would make it easier for people with disabilities to go back to work without losing their government health insurance.

While it was encouraging to see comity prevail on health care coverage for the disabled, unfortunately the Senate GOP leadership refuses to allow a vote on health care reform for all Americans. In response, Democrats said Wednesday they want a patient's bill of rights debate scheduled for this month. If it isn't, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle said Democrats will try to attach their legislation to unrelated bills.

The American people will suffer if the GOP leadership continues its obstructionist tactics. A Senate committee has approved a patient's rights bill, but Democrats want an opportunity to add amendments to it on the Senate floor because they believe the legislation doesn't go far enough to protect patients. The Republican leadership should immediately give the full Senate a chance to consider legislation that would give patients more say in their medical care.