This bill, H.R. 1304, the Quality Health-Care Coalition Act of 2000 would have permitted independent doctors to bargain collectively with insurance companies and health maintenance organizations. Even though the bill is very narrow, and only addresses certain types of doctors, in particular negotiations, AAUP supports the bill as a step in addressing some of the significant issues affecting professional employees in the changing American workplace. The bill may come up again in relation to patient bill of rights legislation. Early in the 2001 session, very few bills have been introduced affecting fundamental employee rights, but AAUP will be watching for legislation in these areas. In addition to some of the bills we have opposed in past sessions, some members in collective bargaining chapters may want to watch for the details of some of the proposed campaign finance legislation.
Some provisions specifically address the rights of unions and their members.