< public policy

ATRA Supports
McCain-Edwards Patient's Bill of Rights Legislation

April 18, 2001

The Honorable John McCain
United States Senate
241 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator McCain:

I am writing to express the support of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) for S. 283, the Bipartisan Patient Protection Act of 2001. We applaud you for your leadership on this critical issue, and look forward to working with you to ensure passage of this important bill.

ATRA has long advocated for a patients' bill of rights that protects all Americans who have private health insurance, especially people with disabilities. S.283/H.R. 526, with its right to timely access to specialty care, guaranteed point-of-service option, and strong internal and external appeals processes, provides these strong protections. It will ensure that all Americans have timely access to the quality care they need, without fear of arbitrary denials of coverage.

We would like to thank you for considering the needs of people with disabilities as you have developed this important legislation. Again, ATRA stands ready to assist you as you work with your colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives to pass a meaningful patients' bill of rights in the 107th Congress. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact any of us at the numbers listed below. Thank you.

Sincerely,

/s/
Ann D. Huston, MPA, CTRS
Executive Director

cc: ATRA Board of Directors
ATRA Public Policy Team