April 9, 1999
Web posted at: 4:17 p.m. EST (2017 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 9) -- President Bill Clinton traveled to Philadelphia Friday to make the case Friday that consumers can be given far more protection through his administration's comprehensive health care "patients' bill of rights" at a relatively low cost.

In Philadelphia Friday, President Clinton called on Americans to support the Patients' Bill of Rights

Citing the opposition's main arguments that the legislation would be too expensive, the president unveiled new government figures showing the proposed changes would cost less than $1 per patient per month.

Those figures were the result of an analysis done since the federal government implemented Clinton's February 1998 executive orders requiring government health care programs to come into compliance with his standards for a patients' bill of rights.

The Philadelphia event was organized to kick off a 100-city and Internet petition drive in support of the patients' bill of rights.

Clinton insisted that the petition can make a difference. Despite polls that show a majority of Americans support the reforms, the president said that until the people make their voice heard in Washington the Republican congressional majority will let health care reform "slide," particularly with powerful insurance companies and large health maintenance organizations lobbying against federal action.

"We need this petition drive because unless there is a clear, unambiguous signal from the people of the United States -- not just that we want this, not just that we need this, not just that we believe in this -- the organized forces of the status quo will do nothing," Clinton said.

"Stand up and be heard," the president urged Americans.

Democrats hope to pressure the House Republican leadership to a vote on reform legislation that has been stalled for months. Using an Internet site sponsored by Families USA, advocates hope to electronically register popular support and deliver that sentiment back to Washington. (http://www.familiesusa.org/pbr/)

House Minority Whip David Bonior (D-Michigan), one of many congressional representatives at the event, called on House Speaker Dennis Hastert to put the patients' bill of rights legislation on the schedule.

The Senate is considering a GOP version of the bill, but the president criticized the bill as inadequate, saying it would leave millions of consumers unprotected and does not provide necessary guarantees like access to specialists or a clearly defined appeal process when insurers deny coverage.

Clinton sounded frustrated with the hold up on Capitol Hill. "I have talked about this until I am blue in the face," he said.

"Now, this is a clear choice. But again I say, this does not need to be a partisan issue. This is not a partisan issue anywhere in America but Washington, D.C.," Clinton said.

The president supports new consumer protections, including the right to emergency room insurance coverage, easier access to medical specialists, reform of appeal procedures and a repeal of the federal ban on consumers suing health plans.

Republicans want tax breaks, including complete deductibility for health insurance bought by the self-employed.

CNN's John King contributed to this report.

Friday, April 9, 1999

• McDougal jury deliberations to resume Monday
• Dole calls herself "pro-life" but says public won't support abortion ban
• Clinton calls on Congress to act on 'patients' bill of rights'
• Transcript: Clinton speaks on 'patients' bill of rights'
• Clinton holds out on long-awaited trade deal for China
• Chinese premier meets with Gore, members of Congress
• WTO talks fail despite concessions
• IRS warns tax filers: Don't be late
• Forbes on GOP front-runners: 'We'll smoke 'em out'
• Gore's campaign Web site touts open source code -- using closed system
• Church to close presidents' graves to daily visitors

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