Orrin Hatch: “first, I want to make it perfectly clear that I strongly support reforming the managed care system. I was an original…”

“first, I want to make it perfectly clear that I strongly support reforming the managed care system. I was an original cosponsor of S. 300, the Patients' Bill of Rights Plus Act of 1999 and voted in favor of S. 326, the Patients' Bill of Rights which was approved by the Senate last July. The House-Senate conference committee is currently working out the differences between the managed care bills passed by the House and the Senate. I believe this conference committee is making significant progress. So, not only is it premature for us to vote today on the House-passed managed care bill in the midst of these negotiations. I also do not feel that the DOD authorization debate is the appropriate time for us to be considering such important health care legislation. We are all aware of the public's frustration and the need for effective legislation to guarantee that those enrolled in managed care plans receive quality health care. Over the years, the Congress has held numerous hearings exposing story after story regarding people receiving insufficient medical treatment from their managed care plans. And let me assure you that these stories are deeply troubling to me--that's why Congress is addressing this important issue. We are listening to our constituents and we are taking action. There is one point where all of us agree--people deserve to receive the best care possible when they are sick.”