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Debate Begins on Managed Care Reform - Cost vs. Care

S. 6 would allow for unrestricted emergency room use, access to out-of-network care providers, standing referrals to specialists and the freedom to designate a specialist (such as an ob/gyn doctor) as their primary care physician.  Managed care health consumers may also sue their Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) if they have been denied services or not been reimbursed properly.

For women, the Democrats’ bill contains a number of features that are of special importance, such as assuring easier access to specialty care and to clinical trials, guaranteeing that women are who are pregnant or terminally ill can continue under the care of a specialist even if that physician is dropped from the patient’s plan; providing for the collection and distribution of data concerning how well the plan is meeting women’s health needs, and assuring that plans do not discriminate against either patients or providers on the basis of sex or other characteristics.

Aligned against the Democratic bill is an array of health insurance companies and related business interests who have poured millions of dollars into ads and campaign contributions. Anxious to fend of any reform proposals that may cut into the “bottom line,” lobbyists for these special interests have been working overtime to assure that no meaningful patient’s bill of rights is get passed. The legislation is likely to be the most important health care measure considered in the 106th Congress, despite the fact that its gains are modest and some 40 million persons still have no health insurance coverage at all.

Republicans are promoting their own, much less stringent version, the Patient’s Bill of Rights Plus Act (S. 326 - Sponsored by Sen.Trent Lott (R-MS) and 49 co-sponsors). They claim that S. 6 would cost too much and force businesses to drop health coverage for employees.  However, the Congressional Budget Office has concluded that the impact on health care costs would be minimal, only adding as little as 4% over ten years amounting to a $2 per month increase in premium costs.

A last minute surprise move by Senate Majority Leader Lott placed the Democrats’ version of the bill on the calendar first, rather than the Republican version.  This was a move that still has analysts scratching their heads, but some believe that the strategy is designed to push the Democrats to amend S. 6 in order to force certain votes, thereby weaken their own bill. In the early part of the debate, several key Democratic provisions were defeated, including one allowing women to select an ob-gyn doctor as their primary care provider.

Action Needed:

Although debate began today, a vote may not happen until later in the week. Therefore, it is important that you contact your Senators as soon as you get this message. Tell them that you want meaningful protections for consumers under managed care and that women require the kind of protections that are in S. 6.   Also, alert all Senators to the Lautenberg amendment and ask them to support it. The main number for Congress is (202) 224-3121; just ask the operator to connect you to your Senators’ offices.

Talking Points Against the Republican Bill:

A detailed comparison of competing Patients’ Bills of Rights legislation can be found at www.familiesusa.org/managedcare+u/compare2.HTM and at www.nationalpartnership.org/healthcare/patient/_cht.htm

Roybal-Allard Breast-Feeding Amendment Passes

Action Needed:

"Teen Endangerment" Passes House; Senate to Take Bill Up Soon

The Senate version of the bill (S. 661) is reported to be scheduled for consideration later this month. The Senate, in the 105th Congress,  refused to pass the “Teen Endangerment” Act and abortion rights supporters hope that the Senate will hold fast against the CCPA this Congress.

Hate Crimes Act Set for Floor Vote Next Week

The current rash of dreadful hate crimes continues unabated, noted White House officials in a press conference held today.  Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Bill Lann Lee appeared along with other officials to urge passage by the Senate.  Additionally, 22 State Attorneys General support S. 1529, along with the National Sheriffs’ Association and more than 100 national organizations.

The number of hate crimes reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation nearly doubled from 1991-1997 ( 4,558 to 8,049); although not all hate crimes are properly identified or officially reported. Of the more than 40 states which have hate crimes statutes, only 21 cover sexual orientation, 22 include gender and 21 cover disability.  Extending the federal law to these categories would allow state and local law enforcement agencies to tap federal resources in bringing cases based on state law. And, the bill also allows state and local authorities to be authorized by the Department of Justice to bring cases based on federal law.

Language was added to S. 1529 which answers criticism made by the America Civil Liberties Union about potential conflicts with Constitutional free speech guarantees.

Action Needed:

VAWA Re-Authorization Hearing Pending; Petitions Circulated

In the meantime, advocates are continuing efforts to inform members of Congress and the public about the effectiveness of VAW programs. A briefing, “Report from the Field: Promising Programs Working to End Violence Against Women,” was to be held today in the Senate.  Speakers are from the offices of the Texas and South Carolina Attorneys’ General as well as from state domestic violence/sexual assault coalitions.  STOP Grants and Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies were reviewed by Independence, MO Chief of Police Gary George with Judge Mary T. Wynne of the Puyallup (WA) Tribal Court of Appeals discussing Tribal and Judicial Education Programs.

NOW and other advocates have swung into high gear with a national signature-gathering campaign, sponsored by the National Task Force to End Violence Against Women. NOW has designed a petition, with the logo “It’s My Right... to live free of Domestic and Sexual Violence,” which is available to NOW chapters and activists. The petition is also being circlated on the Lilith Fair  Concert circuit where NOW, the National Task Force and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence with help from local battered women’s shelters will be managing tables and volunteers.  The Task Force is aiming for 100,00 signatures to send to Congress in support of the new Violence Against Women Act of 1999 (H.R. 357), which would expand many effective programs and initiative several new ones. Very soon, a VAWA website with the new petition online, will be in operation.

Action Needed:

If you are going to a conference, convention or other public event where signatures could be gathered on our petition, please request copies by calling Tara Hudson, NOW Government Relations intern, at (202) 331-0066 or e-mail us at govtrel@now.org

Unfortunately, a Democratic substitute that included gender equity provisions was defeated in committee. Differential treatment of girls and boys based on stereotypical expections or unconscious teaching styles persists today despite efforts by feminists and some educators to advance gender equity goals in the classroom.

Action Needed:

Bankruptcy Bill Up for Senate Vote; Clinic Violence Amendment to be Offered

Among the numerous defects of H.R. 833 is the still-uncorrected situation in which certain credit card debt is elevated to the same level as past due child support or alimony. The bill’s supporters say the problem has been fixed and that the legislation is backed by child support enforcement organizations. However, it appears that only a single child support group that favors government collection of past due child support endorses the bill and, reportedly, none of the other organizations that represent the interests of women and children back the current child support language in the bill.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is sponsoring an amendment to assure that clinic violence debts are non-dischargeable in bankruptcy. The measure addresses the problem posed by defendants, like anti-abortion terrorist Randall Terry, who have declared bankruptcy to avoid paying judgements in clinicviolence lawsuits.

The powerful banking and credit card industry has extensively lobbied members of Congress on the bill; millions of dollars were poured into incumbents’ campaign treasuries last year.  Many believe that because of this intense pressure, a majority of Senators will vote for H.R. 833.

Action Needed:

Nadler Amendment Critical for Religious Liberty Bill

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) will offer amendment that would clarify the exemption by providing this religious defense to a relatively small number of individuals, such as small landlords, small businesses and religious organizations.  Larger landlords and larger businesses would not be able to invoke the defense that complying with local and state civil rights laws would unduly burden their religious beliefs.

Action Needed: