In Phila., Clinton talks HMO reform

As part of a national Democratic effort to champion healthcare legislation through Congress, President Clinton came to Philadelphia on Friday to speak in favor of the Patients' Bill of Rights -- a proposal designed to better regulate the nation's health maintenance organizations. Several hundred invited guests filed into the historic Memorial Hall at Fairmount Park to see Clinton, who was joined on stage by 15 members of Congress and Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, the first to address the energetic crowd. "It's a great honor to have President Clinton back in Philadelphia," said Rendell, who then turned to Clinton and added, "You've seen time after time how much Philadelphia loves you." After speeches by such congressional luminaries as Rep. John Dingell of Michigan -- the longest serving member of Congress -- and House Minority Whip David Bonior, Virginia resident Joan Bleakley shared her story of how bureaucratic complications from an HMO led to the loss of vision in her left eye. Bleakley said that when she started having symptoms of a possible brain aneurysm, her doctor told her it was probably a small stroke and sent her home. It took weeks before she was able to see a specialist, who recommended emergency surgery. "They told me I was lucky to be alive and I believe them," Bleakley said. "I was very scared and I thought I was going to die." Bleakley then introduced Clinton, who was greeted with a standing ovation when he stepped to the podium. Clinton gave his best impersonation of Italian actor-director Roberto Benigni's speech on Oscar night to explain that the other speakers had discussed almost every aspect of the bill. Just as Benigni -- who, upon accepting his second Academy Award, explained that he had "used up" all his English during his first victory speech -- Clinton noted that the other speakers had "said everything there is to be said." But Clinton, positioned in front of a banner that read "A Real Patients' Bill of Rights," did deliver a 15-minute speech in support of the legislation that has been a source of conflict for Democrats and Republicans in the nation's capital. "This does not need to be a partisan issue," Clinton said. "It's not a partisan issue anywhere but in Washington." The President explained that over 70 percent of the American people were in favor of the bill, as well as many healthcare providers. Clinton highlighted several of the bill's key points, including the right to see a medical specialist, the right to emergency room care and the right to remain with the same doctor throughout treatment -- privileges the president described as "basic human decency." The bill would also allow patients to sue their HMOs for malpractice. "The primary purpose [of the HMOs] is to deliver quality healthcare as inexpensively as possible," Clinton said to a round of applause. After having given a speech earlier in the day on the war in Yugoslavia, Clinton only briefly alluded to it here in Philadelphia. He said that Republicans are using the escalating hostilities as "an excuse to put the bill off." "This is the kind of thing you can do when you're not running for office," Clinton said of his blunt explanation. "You can be more frank with people." Republicans counter that Clinton's ideas would add unnecessary bureaucracy and drive up the cost of healthcare. Last year, the House adopted a GOP version of the bill but the Senate never took a vote on it. Earlier in the afternoon, several members of Congress who have played significant roles in bringing the legislation to the forefront addressed the crowd of supporters. "If you go to a doctor, what kind of decision do you want?" Dingell asked. "You want a medical decision. You don't want an insurance decision." Other speakers included AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, Reps. Robert Brady, Chaka Fattah and Robert Borski of Pennsylvania and Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. Thanks to College senior Jana Kay, who worked for Clinton's campaign in 1996, several Penn students were able to attend the event as ushers. "I want to hear what the president has to say on this issue," Kay said. "It's an important issue that could affect everyone." And Jill Kleczko, a College junior, explained her enthusiasm regarding Clinton's visit to Philadelphia. "I think it's really exciting," she said. "It's very interesting. I'm hoping to learn more about the bill."