Editorial: Get moving on patient protection

Monday, May 14, 2001 | 9:21 a.m.

During last year's general election campaign, George W. Bush took credit for signing into law -- as Texas governor -- legislation that provided patients more protection from their HMOs. The law even granted patients a limited right to sue their insurer if they had been harmed. Yet at the same time Bush was evasive when it came to his stand on a patient's bill of rights that was then pending in Congress.

Shortly into his presidency, Bush signaled his support on many elements contained in a patient's bill of rights, but unfortunately added that he couldn't support legislation that would allow Americans the right to sue their HMOs in state courts. Despite strong support in Congress for a patient's bill of rights -- backing, by the way, that crosses party lines -- Bush's resistance has slowed the momentum that started developing for this bill late last year. Indeed, it was disappointing when one of the primary sponsors of last year's bill, Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Ga., took his name off the bill this year at the White House's request.

Last week representatives from the American Medical Association met with the Sun's editorial board to discuss their support for the patient's bill of rights. Dr. John C. Nelson, a member of the AMA's Board of Trustees, mentioned that there are times when doctors don't make the right decision, and they're held responsible by the legal system. Nelson, a Salt Lake City physician, aptly noted that there is no reason why insurers shouldn't also be held accountable in a court of law. For that matter, all businesses in this nation must answer for their actions -- except for health insurance companies.

Tax cuts and education are at the top of this president's agenda, but there is no reason why both houses of Congress shouldn't at the same time undertake the patient's bill of rights. This issue has been debated for years now, so it's not as if lawmakers will have to start from scratch on an unknown problem. Some HMOs are doing a better job of ensuring that patients receive appropriate care, but there still are too many who have too much concern for their earnings reports -- and little attention is given to providing quality care. Even if the president isn't ready for this legislation, it is time for Congress to force his hand and send him a patient's bill of rights.