Byron Dorgan: “the story that was just described by my colleague, Senator Conrad, is one that occurs all too often across this country…”

“the story that was just described by my colleague, Senator Conrad, is one that occurs all too often across this country in this new era of managed care. Every day we intend to describe the circumstances of managed care in this country that require us to bring a Patients' Bill of Rights to the floor. Every day we will discuss this issue on the floor of the Senate, hoping that we will be able to persuade those who schedule the Senate to bring the Patients' Bill of Rights to the Senate. Every person in this country seeking health care ought to have a right to know all of their options for treatment, not just the cheapest option for treatment. Everyone seeking health care in this country ought to have a right to show up in an emergency room and get necessary treatment for an emergency medical need. The list goes on. That is why we want to see a piece of legislation called the Patients' Bill of Rights brought to the floor of the Senate.”