Atlanta. GA - Paul Coverdell today voted to table the Newt Gingrich Patient Protection Act of 1998 measure to reform health care in this country. Coverdell voted to kill real debate over providing health care and HMO reform, even under the very limited provisions provided in the Republican measure. “Coverdell’s action today confirms the fact that he is more interested in protecting the interests of insurance companies than providing any kind of HMO reform to Georgia families,” stated Coverdell’s opponent, Michael Coles. “We already know that Coverdell is against giving citizens the right to hold their HMO accountable when bureaucrats not doctors make medical decisions. Now we know that the health of Georgia’s families is not that important to him either.” Coverdell’s actions came after a motion was brought forward to consider House Resolution 425, the Patient Protection Act of 1998 sponsored by Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Consideration of the resolution would have allowed amendments to be brought forward, thus opening a debate on real health care and HMO reform. The Gingrich measure would have affected over 160 million citizens, increased patient access to specialists and given patients access to an external review process if they do not receive appropriate medical care. By voting to table the measure, Coverdell killed any chance for passage of real health care and HMO reform this year. “Once again Paul Coverdell has proclaimed his desire to enact real reform, but when it counted, he voted against it. Just as he did with his own drug bill, Coverdell voted against an initiative he claims to support,” Coles continued. “Coverdell should take a lesson from my mother, who always told me that, ‘actions speak louder than words.’” # # # |
