Key Votes
S 1052 - Patients' Bill of Rights - Key Vote
National Key Votes
Edward Kennedy, Sr. voted Yea (Passage) on this legislation.
Read recent statements Edward Kennedy, Sr. made in this general time period.
Stages
Family
Issues
Stage Details
Legislation - Bill Passed (Senate) (59-36) - June 29, 2001 (Key vote)
Title: Patients' Bill of Rights
Vote to pass a bill that allow patients to appeal decisions made by their health plan organization about coverage and treatment and provide federal protections, such as access to emergency room care.
- Gives patients the right to sue insurance companies over medical decisions in state court, with a cap of $5 million on non-economic damages.
- Requires that patients demonstrate harm, not just allege it, before going to court.
- Exempts hospitals and physicians from liability for certain health plan decisions.
- Bans concurrent suits in federal and state court.
- Prohibits insurance companies from penalizing doctors for ordering procedures that insurance companies do not classify as necessary.
- Allows patients to visit the closest emergency room, regardless of other factors.
Sponsors
Co-sponsors
- John Reid Edwards (NC - ) (Out Of Office)
- Edward M. 'Ted' Kennedy Sr. (MA - D) (Out Of Office)
- Patty Murray (WA - D)
