Feds Get Health 'Bill of Rights'

President Clinton Friday directed agencies that oversee health care for federal employees, veterans and the military to put in place a "Patients Bill of Rights," that would ensure consumers covered by federal health care programs better treatment.

Clinton said that by the end of the year, an estimated 90 million federal workers, military personnel, veterans, Medicaid beneficiaries and American Indians will receive the same patient protections that Congress gave last year to people covered by Medicare.

"With the authority of the federal government we will ensure that a third of all Americans are protected by a Patients' Bill of Rights," Clinton said. "It is possible and desirable to ensure that patients have the tools they need to navigate through an increasingly complex health care delivery system."

In an executive order, Clinton set minimum standards for patient care, including:

• Direct access to medical specialists for patients with serious conditions.
• Emergency room visits paid for if the visit was deemed necessary by a "prudent layperson."
• The right of appeal to an outside panel for any denial of medical coverage.
• Disclosure by health plans, doctors and hospitals of a wide variety of information about their services.

In his order, Clinton instructed the Office of Personnel Management to ensure that all 350 Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan carriers come into compliance with the bill of rights. Under the order, OPM will have to change its policies regarding access to emergency-room services and specialists.

The order directs the Veterans Affairs Department to "take the necessary administrative action to ensure that a sufficient appeals process is in place throughout the Veteran's Health System."

Clinton instructed the Defense Department to establish a strong grievance and appeals process throughout the military health system. The department also must issue a policy directive to promote greater female use of providers with specialized training in women's health issues.

The Department of Health and Human Services is in charge of ensuring that the Medicare and Medicaid programs comply with the bill of rights, while the Labor Department must strengthen the internal appeals process for all Employee Retirement Income Security Act health plans.

Congressional Republicans oppose increasing federal regulation of health care, arguing that it will be costly and burdensome. USA Today reported Friday that House Ways and Means health subcommittee chairman Bill Thomas, R-Calif., called the president's order a "political stunt."

"Clinton is trying to blackmail Congress to enact legislation to extend the 'bill of rights' to everyone," Thomas said.