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CNN Live Saturday

Republicans, Democrats Analyze Bush's Patients' Rights Proposal

Aired July 28, 2001 - 12:13   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: The patients' bill of rights proving to be a bitter pill for the president and other politicians. Negotiators for both parties are spending this weekend analyzing President Bush's plan.

CNN's White House correspondent Kelly Wallace is with us for a live report and the latest -- Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Donna, the big focus right now has been on the negotiations between the White House and Republican Congressman Charlie Norwood of Georgia, who is a co-sponsor of a measure in the House that has the support of most Democrats and some Republicans.

Now no face-to-face negotiations expected to resume until Monday at the earliest. But yesterday, Congressman Norwood presented the administration with some questions and concerns from lawmakers about the President's latest proposal. You will recall that earlier this week on Thursday, President Bush met here at the White House with Congressman Norwood. During that time, the President presented compromise to the congressman, which included allowing more lawsuits, more patients to sue their HMOs in state court, but having federal rules govern those lawsuits which could put limits on damage awards.

The key sticking point in all of this debate continues to be over liability. Mr. Bush has put his support behind a measure in the House of Representatives that restricts or puts more restrictions on a patient's right to sue his or her HMO than as compared to the measure pushed by Congressman Norwood.

And in the Democratic radio response today, Senator Jean Carnahan of Missouri said that that Republican alternative falls far short of what patients deserve.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP, DEMOCRATIC RADIO ADDRESS)

SEN. JEAN CARNAHAN (D), MISSOURI: Opponents have put forth a weaker alternative. They hope we will agree to lessor protections for the American people. But make no mistake: There are real differences between our two proposals.

On every major issue, they side with the insurance companies and we side with the patients. (END AUDIO CLIP)

WALLACE: Now, Senator Carnahan also called for an end to the delay in the House of Representatives on this issue. Last week, House Republican leaders delayed any action on this legislation, after they realized they did not have enough Republican votes for a measure, that the Republican leadership supports.

Now as for President Bush, he has all along really said that he wants Congress to act on this issue before it recesses in august. But now, the administration seems to be backing away from that just a little bit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: So whether this bill gets sent to him or is voted on in the House of Representatives today, on Monday next week, or next month, is less important to the President than the fact that the nation has waited seven years for Congress to get it done. This can be the year for Congress to finish the job.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Now as for whether or not Congress will finish the job, well, that's depends on negotiations which are likely to resume as we mentioned on Monday between the administration and Congressman Charlie Norwood. At the same time, the administration is pursuing another approach, trying to undecided House Republicans in the House of Representatives, trying to urge them to back the Republican measure which the President does support.

So a lot will depend on what's happening this week. Whether or not the House of Representatives will actually take up this issue and Donna, whether the House will pass a measure that the President says he can sign. Back to you.

KELLEY: OK from the White House our Kelley Wallace, thanks as usual.

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