William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry: “I will vote for the Patient Protection Act legislation that the House is considering. I voted for a similar bill two…”

“I will vote for the Patient Protection Act legislation that the House is considering. I voted for a similar bill two years ago because I believe that if an insurance company makes health care decisions like a doctor, it should be held responsible like a doctor. I still support a responsible patients rights bill. We are all aware of the concerns over this measure: concerns that it could drive up healthcare costs, encourage more litigation, and result in even more people becoming uninsured, particularly in rural areas. I am especially concerned about how this bill will affect patient protection laws that have been enacted in Texas and other states around the country. While I am not satisfied that this measure, as written fully addresses my concerns, I will vote for this bill to move it to Conference where, hopefully, many of these problems can be resolved. I stand ready to vote against the measure when it returns to the House floor if this does not occur. It is my sincere hope, though, that this will not happen, and we will be able to reach agreement on a bill that responsibly strengthens patients' rights which the President will be able to sign into law.”