WASHINGTON -- Congressman John W. Olver (1st District) called upon the House of Representatives today to pass śreal” managed care reform that would make HMOs accountable to both patients and doctors. The reform measure, known as the Norwood-Dingell bill, has over two hundred Democratic cosponsors,  40 Republicans supporters, and the support of over 170 organizations including the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association.

Olver said, śThe battle is underway, and if the Republicans get their way there will be more choices for the healthy and wealthy, and fewer choices for the 44 million uninsured Americans.”

Charlie Norwood (R-GA), the bill°s lead sponsor and a Republican dentist who has been lobbying his own party for the past four years, has said the only way to make HMOs accountable is to allow patients to sue if an insurance plan bean counter has made a medical decision preempting the authority of the professional opinion of doctors.

The Norwood-Dingell bill would require an internal appeals process with an expedited appeals process of 21 days and 72 hours in the event of an emergency. Republican opponents of the bill say that expanding liability to insurance companies would drive up health care costs and deter employers from offering health insurance. However proponents argue that an estimated 4.8 % premium increase is a small price to pay for ensuring accountability. Additionally, employers and plan sponsors would not be liable unless the employer exercised discretionary authority to make a decision regarding a claim that results in wrongful injury or death.

Instead of passing the bipartisan Norwood-Dingell bill, the Republican Leadership is lobbying all of its members to vote for a bill that would not broaden consumer/patients rights.  The front-runner for the Republicans is the Coburn-Shadegg bill, a much weaker measure that would allow for minimal liability.

"I am very disappointed in the Republican majority in Congress for attempting to put the interests of the insurance industry ahead of patients, doctors and nurses across the country," said Olver.
 
According to the non-partisan Congress Daily, śRepublicans have adopted a political strategy designed to stop passage of a bipartisan managed care reform bill.  This strategy consists of trying to muster support for a partisan Republican bill to achieve their larger goal of defeating the bipartisan legislation Norwood-Dingell.”

"The Republican measure is a deception," said Olver. He continued, śThe bottom line is whether we support the health insurance companies or we support patients -- obviously we know where the Republicans stand.”

Last night the House passed a companion health care bill, the Republican "access bill" which will provide more tax breaks to expand health care for the people who already have it. The bill does not provide any benefits to the uninsured since many of the uninsured do not make enough income to get relief from access provisions linked to the tax system.