April 28, 1999
The Honorable Tom Bliley Dear Mr. Chairman: The hearings commenced by the Committee on the issue of patient rights and managed care reform are a welcome and necessary foundation for action. Consistent with the Speaker’s pledge that the House will vote on legislation dealing with these matters this year, I am writing to formalize my prior requests that the Committee on Commerce complete its legislative hearings on the Patients’ Bill of Rights and related measures by Memorial Day, and proceed to mark up managed care reform in June. As I have discussed with you previously, patients are in dire need of timely, comprehensive, and effective protections. There are now four major bills proposed that address these issues, which were also debated in the last Congress and are now ripe for resolution. Further delay of Committee action would greatly diminish the chances for successful congressional action this year. Prompt Committee action, on the other hand, would generate the debate and discussions that could lead to significant bipartisan agreement on critical issues like independent external appeals, medical necessity, and plan accountability. I commit to work with you in the coming weeks to complete a series of fair and balanced hearings on managed care reform. I urge that, in June, we proceed to mark up a legislative vehicle of your choice, that we provide for a full and fair amendment process, and that Democrats be allowed to offer a complete substitute. I stand ready to work with you to move this much-needed legislation forward. Sincerely, JOHN D. DINGELL
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