Sam Gibbons: “I believe we do need a Patients' Bill of Rights, not a lawyers' right to bill. I support increasing access to health…”

“I believe we do need a Patients' Bill of Rights, not a lawyers' right to bill. I support increasing access to health care for all Americans and ensuring that all patients can receive health care and hold HMOs accountable. The Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 2001 is comprehensive, bipartisan legislation that will increase the quality of health care for all Americans and small businesses will be better able to offer health insurance for employees through association health plans and expanded medical savings accounts. Mr. Speaker, patients need to be protected and this plan gives patients access, access to emergency room and specialties care, direct access to obstetricians, gynecologists, and pediatricians; access to needed prescription drugs and approved clinical trials and access to health plan information. It also ensures that patients have the right to choose their doctor with continuity of care and protection that allows patients to definitely see their own doctors even when they are terminally ill, pregnant, or awaiting critical surgery. Let us pass the Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 2001.”