Editorial: Federal legislation is hurting patients

The New York Times reported Saturday that a growing number of federal judges, in their decisions, are noting that a 1974 federal law hasn't kept up with changes in health care. Patients in an employer-sponsored health plan may be able to get back their benefits in a lawsuit, but the law doesn't provide compensation for lost wages, death or disability, pain and suffering, and emotional duress.

One provision of President Clinton's proposed patient "bill of rights" would help remedy this, expanding the ability of patients to sue their HMOs. So far, many Republicans have said vaguely that they favor health-care reform but are opposed to the legal reform of managed care. But if Congress is sincere, it will adopt Clinton's plan and give workers the rights they deserve.

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