Political Quotes

“let me also, in closing, quote briefly from a few of these endorsements. The Association of American Physicians writes: Restrictions on communication with our patients not only undermine quality of care, but [constitutes] a blatant violation of the Hippocratic oath. Prohibition of ``gag rules'' is a crucial step toward protecting patients. The Center for Patient Advocacy writes: It has become common for insurers to incorporate clauses or policies into providers' contracts that restrict their ability to communicate with their patients. Such gag clauses seriously threaten the quality of care for American patients. Mr. President, let me conclude by saying that my part of the country was involved in the pioneering work in the managed care area. I have seen in my community--we have perhaps the highest concentration of managed Medicare in the country, with almost 50 percent of the older people in managed care--that it is possible to offer good quality managed care services. What has concerned me is that there has been a pattern documented of managed care plans cutting corners and, unfortunately, imposing these gag clauses which get in the way of the doctor-patient relationship and the patient having the kind of information that a patient needs in order to make their own decisions about their health care. I don't think that is what the health care future of our country is all about.”