Senator Nickles' Proposal Does Little To Address Real Consumer Concerns in Managed Care

Americans Will Not Be Fooled By Election-Year Politicking

Statement by Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA on today's proposal by Senator Nickles on consumer protections:

"The Nickles proposal is much ado about very little, and offers no real accountability for health plans.

"Under the Nickles plan, if your HMO does not have the health specialist you need, you won't have a right to go to a specialist outside your HMO. If your doctor feels you need a prescription drug that is not on the HMO's list, you won't be able to get it. And plans will still be allowed to create financial incentives to deny needed and essential health care.

"Under this proposal, a plan that improperly delays or denies essential health care will never be held accountable for the harm it causes. It therefore will have no deterrent for scrimping on needed care. The worst than an uncaring HMO will be required to do is to provide the service originally delayed or denied. This gives HMOs virtual license to withhold essential care.

"At this point in the debate there is only one proposal out there that truly addresses the American public's concerns about managed care. The Patients' Bill of Rights Act establishes common sense patient protections and will help restore America's trust in the health care system."

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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.

1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100 · Washington, DC 20005
202-628-3030 · Email: info@familiesusa.org · www.familiesusa.org