Then they exercised their muscle and killed the bill. One might expect such antics in Washington, DC - but down here patients should count for more than a barrelful of big business mouthpieces for the HMO conglomerates. People find dealing with health insurance companies about as stressful as doing their taxes and dealing with auto mechanics. External review by an independent panel of doctors when an HMO denies a patient care is an inexpensive way for patients to get a fair hearing. Most disputes can be handled internally and only the worst cases need this external panel.
External review is popular, fair, and valuable.
Thirty-two states already have external review. Most people like the idea that if they have a serious dispute with their health plan they can get an outside doctor to give an independent opinion. They also are more accepting if that independent opinion goes against them. Finally, making health plans liable for their negligence along with this external review process will not significantly increase costs because only the most serious cases could ever make it into court. Remember, the patient must get a ruling from an independent panel of doctors as to whether the HMO properly denied care.