Chao Supports ‘Strong’ Patients’ Bill of Rights
Labor Secretary-designate Elaine Chao yesterday said that she supports a "strong" patients' bill of rights that "would not increase the number of uninsured Americans," CongressDaily reports. Speaking at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Chao alluded to the difficulty of enacting such legislation -- which would be enforced, in part, by the Labor Department -- saying, "I wish I could draft a patients' bill of rights. If I did, I would be the hero of this country." Chao also said she would examine ergonomics regulations recently put in place by the Clinton administration, but "declined to ensure that she would enforce it in its current form" (Fulton, CongressDaily, 1/24). Business groups have opposed the new regulations, which require employers to take several measures to prevent repetitive stress injuries in the workplace, arguing that they would cost too much to implement (California Healthline, 1/18).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.