Editorial: GOP senators lose their way

President Clinton did the right thing Thursday when he implemented new consumer protections for more than 15 million Medicaid patients who are enrolled in managed-care plans. Among the protections, women will now be allowed to go to the obstetrician and gynecologist of their choice and patients will be guaranteed that health care plans will pay for hospital emergency room visits as long as the patients thought they were necessary.

Earlier this year Clinton signed an executive order to extend some patient protections to 90 million Americans, including members of the military and their families, federal employees and those covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

Although Clinton should be praised for extending these protections to as many Americans as he can under the limited authority he has as president, Congress should follow his lead and extend consumer protections for all Americans. Despite the fact that this is the responsible thing to do, the Senate Republican leadership will do everything in its power to keep the legislation sponsored by Clinton and Senate Democrats bottled up.

The Republican-controlled House has passed a modest patient protection plan, but it is the legislative equivalent of aspirin when surgery is required. In contrast, the Democratic plan would allow the appeal of denied benefits to an independent panel, grant better access to specialists and allow people to sue their health care plan for actual and punitive damages if their benefits are denied unfairly.

Senate Democrats attempted to bring up this legislation on Wednesday, but Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., prevented a vote through parliamentary maneuvers. Lott said he would allow a vote on a GOP version of HMO regulation, but would permit only three amendments by Democrats. But this is ludicrous. A full debate on this measure is needed if fairness and quality legislation is to prevail.

This nation's working families had high hopes a few months ago that managed-care reform might become a reality. But those hopes have been almost dashed.

If it wants the public's respect, Congress should take care of the people's business and that includes passing managed-care reform, providing patients with the protections they deserve.

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