American Osteopathic Association Takes A Stand on Patients' Bill of Rights
To: National Desk, Health
Reporter Contact: Karyn Gianfrancesco, 312-202-8042 or 800-621-1773, ext. 8042, or Mary Ann Pagaduan, 312-202-8040 or 800-621-1773, ext. 8040, both of the American Osteopathic Association; Web site: http://www.aoa-net.org
CHICAGO, July 17 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) thanks the United States Senate for taking a small step in the direction of managed care reform. After five years of debate and no action, the Senate listened to the demands of the American public and passed legislation aimed at forcing managed care companies to stop making medical decisions based on profits.
Although some basic protections were passed, the AOA hopes the House of Representatives will take a more meaningful step in protecting our patients from harmful actions of HMOs. The House of Representatives should stop insurance company executives from making medical decisions by passing a more sweeping measure of patients' rights than the Senate did last night.
The AOA believes a Patients' Bill of Rights must include:
-- The right to an independent and fair external appeal of health plan decisions. Reviews must be made by physicians of the same license and specialty. Reviews of an osteopathic physician must be made by an osteopathic physician(s).
-- The right for physicians to determine what treatment is medically necessary.
-- The guarantee that these rights apply to all Americans.
"The AOA will continue advocating these basic rights for our patients and look forward to the upcoming debate in the House of Representatives. We stand committed and ready to work with Congress to pass the real protections our patients need," said AOA President Ronald A. Esper, D.O.
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The AOA represents more than 43,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s), promotes public health, encourages scientific research and is the accrediting agency for all osteopathic medical schools and health care facilities.
-0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 07/17 12:30
Copyright 1999, U.S. Newswire
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