Post by shockjock on Aug 8, 2009 10:38:46 GMT -5
Ted Kennedy on HMOs:
MARCH 3, 1978
Then. . .
Just five years after the HMO Act of 1973 was signed into law, the U.S. Senate Committee on Human Resources, Subcommittee on Health and Scientific Research, held a hearing to discuss amending the Act. Following are excerpts from Senator Ted Kennedy's opening statement at the March 3, 1978 hearing:
"Today the Subcommittee on Health and Scientific Research holds hearings on proposed amendments to federal statutes supporting the development of health maintenance organizations...These amendments would extend and strengthen current authorities supporting HMOs in this country....
"As the author of the first HMO bill ever to pass the Senate, I find this spreading support for HMOs truly gratifying.
. . and Now On May 15, 2001, Senator Ted Kennedy released a statement regarding the need for an effective patients' bill of rights to end HMO abuse. Following are excerpts from that press release:
"Today, if your child has a rare congenital heart defect and no specialist in the plan is equipped to treat it, your [HMO] plan can condemn your child to second rate care from the doctor who happens to be on the plan's list....
"Today, if you have incurable cancer and your best hope of a cure is participation in a clinical trial, your [HMO] plan can deny you access to that trial....
"Today, your doctor can be financially coerced by your HMO into giving you less than optimal care....
"Today, if you need an expensive drug that is not on your plan's list, the [HMO] plan can make you pay for it yourself or go without....
"The list goes on and on....
"It is time to end the abuses of managed care that victimize thousands of patients each day. It is time for doctors and nurses and patients to make medical decisions again, not insurance company accountants. The American people deserve prompt action, and we intend to see that they get it."
"ANOTHER FINE MESS YOU'VE GOTTEN US INTO"
Thats what Stan Laurel used to say to Oliver Hardy, and would have said to Ted Kennedy Too!
