GOP Bill Offers Rights to Sue HMOs

Patients damaged by HMO decisions would get limited new rights to sue their health plans under legislation disclosed by congressional Republicans trying to keep their party together on the issue. “This bill provides the patient protections that the American people have been demanding for years,” said a statement from Rep. Tom A. Coburn (R-Okla.), who developed the bill with Rep. John B. Shadegg (R-Ariz). The proposal includes many popular measures found in Democratic and some GOP proposals. It would cover all 161 million Americans with private health insurance.