Where do the Presidential Candidates Stand on Patient Protections?

(Washington, DC) As the United States Senate debates managed care consumer protections, Families USA, the national voice for health care consumers, is calling on all major candidates for President to announce how they would vote on the various patient protection proposals before the Senate.

"The Senate is considering legislation that would protect American consumers from managed care abuses," said Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA. "The American public has a right to know where the major Presidential candidates stand on these important issues."

The Senate is considering a number of specific patient protection amendments that:

• establishes an independent and strong external appeals process;
• leaves decisions about health care in the hands of doctors and patients, not insurance company bureaucrats;
• establishes consumer assistance or ombudsman programs to help consumers navigate the changing health care system;
• holds health plans accountable for wrongfully denying care; and,.
• apply to all consumers in managed care plans.

"These issues are far too important for the major Presidential candidates to ignore," added Pollack.

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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