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JUNE 27, 2001

The Senate on Tuesday rejected a Republican-led attempt to amend and outright derail the patients' rights bill President Bush is threatening to veto unless significant changes are made.

By a vote of 57 to 43, the Senate rejected an amendment that would have exempted employers from lawsuits challenging the denial of employee health claims. Republicans argued without such a provision, the court system will get clogged with litigation and drive up the cost of health care.

By a 61 to 39 vote, the Senate rejected an attempt to take the bill off the floor entirely.

The votes were on a bill sponsored by Ted M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), John Edwards (D-N.C.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.). Bush favors a different bill sponsored by by Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), John Breaux (D-La.) and Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.).

Get the Bills:
Kennedy, Edwards, McCain | Frist, Breaux, Jeffords

Get the Story:
Health Care Lawsuit Exemption Rejected (The Washington Post 6/27)
Patients' Rights Pick Up Momentum in 2 Senate Votes (The New York Times 6/27)
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Related Stories:
Bush threatens patients' rights veto (6/22)
Senate begins debate on patients' rights (6/20)