Supreme Court Rules States Can Fight
The Supreme Court upholds state laws that help patients fight their HMOs. The protections are similar to those outlined in the patients' bill of rights legislation that has been stalled since the House and Senate passed two different versions. (6/20/02)

House Passes Patients' Rights Bill
Update: The House passes a patients' rights bill that allows for limited lawsuits against HMOs. The 226 to 203 vote sets up a battle between House and Senate legislators. (8/03/01)

House members push to pass a compromise bill on patients' rights. (8/02/01)
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (8/02/01)
Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (8/02/01)
Webcast, by Kaisernetwork.org.
Update: House Republicans say they will vote on a patients' rights bill before the August recess. (7/26/01)

Senate Passes Patients' Rights Bill
The Senate adopted new patients' rights legislation late last week. Will the proposal improve health care in America? (7/02/01)

Senate Debate 2001

Wrapping It Up:
Following a report on the final hours of the patients' rights debate, Mark Shields and Paul Gigot discuss its likely political fallout. (6/29/01)

Amendments:
Approved 100-0: Americans enrolled in federal health programs, Medicare and Medicaid are included.
Approved 98-0: Fetuses born alive have the same rights as a person.
Approved 96-4: Employers are shielded from lawsuits if they are not involved in medical decisions.
Approved 64-36: States can maintain their own patient-protection with "substantial compliance."
Defeated 53-44: Would give states latitude to opt out of patient protections.
Defeated 53-45: Would shield small businesses from lawsuits.
Defeated 54-45: Restricts the rights of an outside appeals board to overrule a health plan.

The Bills:
Compare the two Senate bills.
Some Senators offer a compromise. (6/27/01)
Democrats and Republicans battle over rival versions of patients' rights legislation. (6/19/01)