From Families USA
February 24, 2000

New Fact Sheets on Poison Pill Patient's Bill of Rights Legislation

These are provisions in the Patients' Bill of Rights legislation, now in a House-Senate conference committee, that were inserted by Republicans to supposedly increase access to health care for people without insurance. These provisions are often called "poison pills" because they are opposed by the Clinton Administration (and consumer groups) and will likely cause a veto of the legislation (which may be why they were inserted).

As you can see in our analysis, Families USA believes these provisions do not meaningfully increase access to health care for the uninsured but do damage the insurance marketplace (especially for people with health risks or businesses that employ them). In any case, we don't feel these provisions have a place in the Patients' Bill of Rights.

Write your Member of Congress about Patients' Rights!

Fact Sheets

Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs)

Proposed Tax Deductions for Long Term Care

Proposed Tax Deductions for Individuals

HealthMarts

Association Health Plans

Accelerating the Tax Deduction for the Self-Employed