Call Bill of Rights Legislation Dead

By Steven Brostoff, Washington Editor

NU Online News Service, Aug. 2, 12:42 p.m. EST, Washington?Patients' Bill of Rights legislation is effectively dead for this year, the House's leading proponent of the legislation said.

Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Georgia, said the breakdown of talks between Senate leaders and the White House over the issue of tort reform ends prospects for the legislation.

"The White House moved far off their starting line, and 99 percent of the legislation was in agreement," Rep. Norwood said in a statement.

"Both sides came so far. The only hurdle left standing was a non-economic damage cap. Unfortunately, the trial lawyers couldn't live with a cap," he said.

"It is frustrating to me that legislation that would do so much for patients and health care providers can be vetoed by trial lawyers," Rep. Norwood said.

He noted that Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said that he will appoint Senate members of a House-Senate Conference Committee that now, in theory, will try to develop a consensus bill. But he said he is skeptical the effort will succeed.

"If negotiations between the White House and Senator Kennedy could not succeed, adding a dozen more voices isn't going to make things any better," Rep. Norwood said.

Special Reports /

Call Bill of Rights Legislation Dead

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