The Health Care Crisis: Is Reform Possible in 2002?
Kim Monk, Professional Staff Member, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
John McManus, Staff Director, House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health
Debra Curtis, Chief of Staff, Rep. Pete Stark and Staff Liaison, House Ways and Means Committee

The conference’s panel discussed a variety of issues relating to health care reform.

Kim Monk reviewed bills passed in the House and Senate last year that would create a Patient’s Bill of Rights. Discussing key points of both bills, she noted that the conferees have yet to meet on their differences. Key issues to be resolved are caps on damages, a definition of actions that are subject to action, arbitration, rebuttal presumption and health care program access.

John McManus reviewed House-approved legislation that includes a provision extending insurance coverage to lower-income and unemployed workers, and Medicare proposals in President Bush’s budget. He discussed the chances Congress will pass health care legislation, and how the budget deficit will influence the debates on these bills.

Debra Curtis reviewed the ongoing debate on prescription drug benefits, including bills before Congress and the proposal in the president’s FY 2003 budget. She discussed provisions of several Medicare-related bills that she believes have bipartisan support in Congress. She encouraged NCPERS’ members to identify specific health care proposals they support when visiting members and staffers on Capitol Hill.

Of interest to NCPERS members is the possibility of Congress approving legislation creating a patient’s bill of rights and a prescription drug program. Moderator Cindie Moore asked the panelists what key provisions they would expect to see in such a bill.

• Concerning a patient’s bill of rights, the panelists said administrators would want to determine how the bill addresses added costs, exposure to lawsuits and integration with existing state legislation.
• On the prescription drug benefit, the key issues to examine would be how the bill addresses integration with existing prescription drug benefits, the implications for taxation and arbitration on employee disputes.