The Patients’ Bill of Rights Act of 2001 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Ernie Fletcher (R-KY), Nancy Johnson (R-CT), and Colin Peterson (D-MN).

The legislation would expand access to health care for the uninsured by broadening access to medical savings accounts (MSAs) and creating federally sanctioned Association Health Plans (AHPs), which would allow small employers to pool their coverage in the same fashion as do large and medium-sized companies.

According to Larry Taylor, president of ACCA and Air Rite Air Conditioning in Fort Worth, TX, the legislation “would go a long way in providing critical assistance to millions of uninsured Americans.” Taylor explained that “by enabling small businesses to band together across state lines through trade associations, they will be able to purchase health insurance just as do large corporations and labor unions.”

Publication date: 07/09/2001