HMO Reform Permeates 1998 Campaigns With Virtually All Candidates Supporting Patient Rights, Not Insurance Companies

In House, Senate and Gubenatorial races in all regions of the country, virtually all candidates, regardless of party, voiced support for the passage of some form of patient protection legislation, according to the national health care consumer group, Families USA. In addition, supporters of patient protections won in a number of close races.

"If this election shows anything, it demonstrates that virtually no one is willing to defend the insurance industry's position on the issue of patient protections. The industry has said they want no legislation, but regardless of office and regardless of party, almost every candidate in this election cycle called for legislation to protect consumers from managed care abuses," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA.

"Although there were differences in the details on what patient protection legislation would include, virtually every candidate sought to be on the side of the angels in supporting patient protection legislation and not insurance company foot dragging," added Pollack.

Despite over $2 million in managed care company contributions to congressional campaigns across the country, patient protections played a major role in many races, often with both major candidates touting their support of HMO reforms.

"Patient protections are a priority for the American public. It was a priority in most of the campaigns this election year. It now needs to be a priority for the 106th Congress and state legislatures throughout the country," added Pollack.

Examples of how the issue of patient protections played out in this year's campaigns:

• Despite a rash of negative ads funded by the insurance industry targeting Democrat John Edwards, Edwards defeated Lauch Faircloth (R) in a race that focused on the issue of patient protections in managed care.
• Governor-Elect Robert Taft's (R-OH) health care platform focused on reforming managed care, including allowing consumers to sue health insurers for damages for improperly refusing care.
• In the Connecticut race for Governor, because of pressure from challenger Barbara Kennelly (D), incumbent John Rowland (R) modified his own position on HMO reforms, and came out in support of a patient's right to sue HMOs.
• Republican Ernest Fletcher, narrowly beat Ernesto Scorsone (D) in the 6th District race in Kentucky. Both Fletcher and Scorsone used the issue of patient protections in their campaigns. Fletcher, a medical doctor, ran television spots on the need for plans to allow patients to go out of network to see specialists.
• Strickland (D-OH), Moore (D-KS), Lucas (D-KY), Berkley (D-NV), Udall (D-NM), and Baldwin (D-WI) all won close Congressional races by making patient protections a major part of their Campaigns.

"The insurance industry was unable to buy victories in these elections because public support for patient protection legislation is just too strong," said Pollack. "Congress now has a mandate from the American public to pass patient protections."

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

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202-628-3030 · Email: info@familiesusa.org · www.familiesusa.org