Let your opinion be known at The Daily Camera Online Forums . The commercial was filmed during Gore's 400-mile boat trip down the Mississippi River following the Democratic National Convention. All week, Gore has been concentrating on health issues including expanding coverage for children and giving senior citizens prescription drug coverage. He was joined by Lieberman in the Pacific Northwest to focus on two of the biggest issues, bolstering the Medicare system and strengthening the rights of patients in managed care programs. Polls suggest that Gore has picked a good issue.
Many consumers are unhappy with restrictions they face in managed care.
One measure now stalled in Congress would give patients a right to appeal insurance company decisions and would allow them to sue the companies if they believe they have been damaged by coverage decisions. Gore said he's making the issue central to his campaign and will have a mandate to act if he wins election. Republican George W. Bush, too, says that he supports strengthening the rights of patients, but Gore's campaign contends the measure Bush backs is full of holes. Steven Epstein, a lawyer who represents managed care interests, said politicians are trying to magnify differences that are relatively small. It's much ado about nothing.