HMO reform tour visits Missouri

A national move to push for a federal patient’s bill of rights has made a stop in Missouri. “Families USA” sponsors the Patients’ Rights Tour which features an ambulance that displays a digital counter, supposedly recording the number of consumers having problems with their health insurance. Deputy Executive Director Jeff Kirsch acknowledges not all the problems are severe. Kirsch says adoption of the Norwood-Dingell bill would solve the issue. The House approved it a year ago. It has languished in the Senate. Kirsch says his groups just wants the bill to come up for a vote in the Senate. He accuses Republican leaders of stalling it.