Frank Pallone: “If I could just mention too, I think that many constituents that I talk to, not only in my district but in other parts…”

“If I could just mention too, I think that many constituents that I talk to, not only in my district but in other parts of the country, really would like to see some kind of option where patients can go outside the network for a doctor or hospital or other provider, even if it means that the patient has to pay more. I know that the Patient Bill of Rights, which is one of the bills that the gentleman mentioned, specifically says that when consumers sign up for health insurance with the employer, that the employer has to offer the option of going outside the network for a doctor, even if it means that the patient has to pay a little more. Not everybody wants to do that, but for those people who are willing to pay a little more it certainly makes sense. I find that a lot of people do not realize when they sign up for a particular HMO that they are limited by the number of doctors, or realize what doctors are in the plan or not. That is why disclosure, which is another one of the issues that is addressed in these two bills, is so important.”