On the recordMay 6, 1997
I rise today to offer bipartisan legislation to provide Medicare beneficiaries with the necessary tools and protections they need to choose the right health plan under the Medicare program for their individual health care needs. The bill I am introducing today, with my Democratic colleague, Senator Conrad, whom I have had the pleasure to work with on many issues, is entitled the Medicare Patient Choice and Access Act of 1997. I am also joined by my Republican colleagues, Senator D'Amato and Senator Helms, and my Democratic colleague from Illinois, Senator Durbin. Similar legislation has been introduced in the House by Representatives Coburn and Brown. Representative Coburn's bill currently has 91 cosponsors and has strong bipartisan support. The bill I am sponsoring accomplishes a number of important objectives for Medicare beneficiaries and for the success of the Medicare program. We often talk about providing more choices of health plans for Medicare recipients, but we rarely discuss what they need to make the right choice. As Congress examines ways to encourage more options for Medicare beneficiaries through the growth of managed care, it is critical that there is a trusting relationship between Medicare enrollees and their health plans. Medicare is a Federal program. Therefore, it is our job to ensure that health plans participating in the Medicare program provide quality care to our Nation's elderly.
Source
govinfo.gov
