Tom Harkin: “Absolutely. I made that very clear. The bill of rights that came into effect stays for everything. But what I am saying…”

“Absolutely. I made that very clear. The bill of rights that came into effect stays for everything. But what I am saying is that the Senator is right, and I responded that way concerning the bill of rights. But what doesn't apply to grandfathered plans are preventive services that are covered with no cost. That is not covered. The right to an appeal to a third party is not covered. Restrictions on annual limits is not applied. They can put annual limits on coverage under these grandfathered plans. Direct access to OB/GYNs without a referral is not part of the Patients' Bill of Rights. No higher cost sharing for out-of-network emergency services, no prior authorization requirement for emergency care--none of that is in the bill of rights. So all of that is wiped out by the resolution of the Senator from Wyoming. Again, for emphasis, you have a contract. You work for an employer. They have a plan. You are part of that plan. If you like that plan, you can stay with it. My friend from Wyoming said: Only in Washington, DC, could they say, if you like your plan, you can stay with it, and then they change it. No. Only in the health insurance industry, perhaps in the Republican philosophy, would you say that you can grandfather a plan, but you the consumer are stuck if the insurer wants to change it any way he wants to change it, with the exception of the bill of rights.”