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American Morning

Republicans, Democrats Continue Battle Over Patients Bill of Rights

Aired June 27, 2001 - 11:07   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Now we're going turn now to health coverage and patients rights. On Capitol Hill, the Senate is debating proposed changes to the patients rights bill. Republicans want to ensure more protection for small businesses and other employers who could be sued under the legislation. Democrats, though, have their own ideas, as well.

For more on the efforts to keep this bill alive, let's go to Jeanne Meserve in Washington. Hi, Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn. It is the issue of the moment here. After two failed attempts in 2 1/2 years of trying, the prognosis seems to be improving for passage of comprehensive HMO reform. After threatening a veto of the Democrats' plan, President Bush today is reaching out to House Republicans to see where a compromise can be reached.

Meanwhile in the Senate, with Hillary Rodham Clinton presiding, debate began today on GOP amendments to limit the legal liability of small business owners when employees are denied medical treatment by their company-sponsored insurance plan, Democrats arguing suck limits will lead to more denials of expensive health treatments.

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SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: We will be inviting, once you give them the carte blanche, whatever the problems are today are just going to increase a thousandfold because they're going to be immune, effectively, from any kind of action.

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SEN. CHRISTOPHER BOND (R), MISSOURI: I heard one of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle said, well, the McCain- Kennedy bill is taking care of small employer, small employers health care provision; just like a herbicide takes care of a bed of flowers. It's going to kill small business health care at the roots.

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MESERVE: The so-called Allard amendment would have exempted businesses with fewer than 50 employees from legal liability. It failed just moments ago on a 53-45 vote. Yesterday, the Senate rejected attempts to shield all employers from lawsuits, but some protection for smaller businesses is expected to survive in any final patients bill of rights that lands on President Bush's desk.

Debate is still going on behind the scenes to come up with an agreement to allow lawsuits against HMOs to be brought in state court, another issue. The White House today says President Bush could now support limited rights to sue in state courts as part of a compromised bill. Senators hope to finish action on their version by the July 4th holiday break.

Daryn, back to you.

KAGAN: Jeanne, thank you.

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