"Preventive care? HMOs are preventing care"; HMOs Short-Change Moms and Babies -- Ambush "Drive-Thru" Baby Delivery Ban While Touting "Preventive" Care at Health Fair.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 1996--Lobbyists for the HMO industry are today trying to kill a ban on "drive through" baby deliveries while offering free "preventive screening" services to legislators and lobbyists on the Capitol steps.

Mothers, physicians, and other health care consumers say this is why California needs Prop. 214, the HMO Patient Rights Initiative, which will return health care decisions to patients and their doctors. Consumers will confront the HMOs for opposing AB 1841 and Prop. 214.

The state Assembly Appropriations Committee today will consider AB 1841, sponsored by Assemblywoman Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont). The bill would require insurers and HMOs to offer coverage for up to 48 hours of in-patient care for mothers and newborns.

Some HMOs currently cover stays for as little as six to eight hours after delivery. The guidelines under which HMOs eject mothers and new are currently trade secrets. Under Prop. 214, they would become public information.

The California Association of HMOs (CAHMO) is opposing AB 1841, saying it is unnecessary and would cost too much. The industry also says this about Prop. 214 and a series of other consumer protection measures it has killed so far this session. Recent reports indicate that the HMO industry has succeeded in garnering enough votes to kill or fatally dilute AB 1841.

Laws similar to AB 1841 have passed in 28 other states and have had bi-partisan support.

Meanwhile, outside on the Capitol steps, CAHMO will be sponsoring a "Health Fair" featuring free "preventive care" screenings for legislators, lobbyists and others who stop by. Screening includes: healthy eating, eyeglass adjustment, summer safety, neck massage, stress management, and walking for health.

"Even without an eyeglass adjustment, anyone could see that the HMO industry cares more about making money than taking care of moms and babies," said Beth Capell, campaign manager for Prop. 214.

"Preventive care? HMOs are preventing care," Capell said. "HMOs are killing consumer protections that the public overwhelmingly supports."

Dr. Jeannie Brewer, with her 16-month-old daughter, Erica, and other supporters of Prop. 214 will attend the CAHMO Health Fair and speak out against attempts by HMOs to deny needed care.

"We need health care decisions to be returned to patients and their doctors, rather than HMO bureaucrats," said Dr. Brewer, a member of California Physicians Alliance. "AB 1841 is needed for new mothers, and Proposition 214 is needed for all Californians."

Prop. 214 will be on the November ballot. To help patients get the medical care they need and have paid for, Prop. 214 will ban written and unwritten gag rules and incentive care for denying or delaying treatment.

It will require a second opinion, with a physical examination, before denying recommended-treatments. It will require that HMOs make public their guidelines for denying treatments, as well as their profit and overhead. It does not raise taxes or create new government agencies.

Prop. 214 supporters say that making guidelines for denial of care public and requiring a second opinion would allow longer hospital stays for moms and babies who need them.

The HMO industry is trying to confuse Prop. 214 with Prop. 216 -- a complex and controversial measure that would create new taxes and a new government agency.

CONTACT: Californians for Patient Rights

Maureen Anderson or Robin Kane, 415/546-6656