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Show The Salt Lake Tribune NATION Monday, December4, 2000 Couple on Crusade to Hold HMOsAccountable THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CHERRY HILL, N.J. — The couple who “helped end “drive-through” deliveries after “their 2-day-old daughter died are on a new crusade — this time to hold HMOs accountable for their medical decisions. Steve and Michelle Bauman hope to crack financial damages from Aetna. In a precedentsetting ruling last June, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal appeals court ruling that the couple could sue the HMO for malpractice in state court. Until now, HMOs routinely got state malpractice lawsuits moved to federal courts, _ the shield of a federal law that has protected health maintenance organizations from lawsuits by patients who were harmed. by the denial, delay or poor quality of care. ‘. They are suing Aetna U.S. Healthcare, where the most plaintiffs can cost of care denied them. “The ultimate thing we’re . . making it safer for other their mothers,” Steve Bauman ;claiming its formerpolicyof harging new- in an interviewat their attorney’s Cherry Hill “porns from hospitals after 24 hours led to the ‘death of their first baby, Michelina, a day after she was sent homein May 1995. Their testimony to Congress and the New Jersey Legislature, detailing Michelina’s “death from an infection that would have been ‘detected in the hospital, led to a federal law ,and manystate lawsrequiring a minimum 48hour stay for newbornsandtheir mothers. office, “Somebody’s got to be held accountable, so they know they can’t get away with this anymore.” Otherefforts seeking the samegoal include Now. the Baumans are trying to win recover is the looking for: is newborns and said Thursday pending federal class-action lawsuits attack- ing the way HMOs manage care, and attempts to pass federal and state laws giving at least. 125 million patients the right to sue HMOs. ‘he House passed a Patients Bill of Rights this year,butit failed in the Senate by onevote. John Stone, spokesman for the House sponsor, Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Ga., predicts it will pass early in the next Congress because more Republican senators now backit. The American Medical Association, its THE NEWTOTAL BODY ELLIPTICAL TRAINER by LEG FoNibes * Upper & lower body state affiliates and many consumer groups havelobbied hard for such laws, while HMOs and the Health Benefits Coalition, representing 3 million employers, oppose them. Jamie Court, executive director of the watchdog group Foundation for Taxpayer and ConsumerRights, said he hopes the laws will “put some fear into HMOs.” The Baumans, who have moved from Williamstown, N.J., to Spring Hill, Fla., say the HMO nurse who was to visit Michelina the day after discharge never came, and their pediatrician told them not to worry about the baby’s moaning, strange rash and other symptoms. Aetna said it has no legal liability because Crosstrainers Starting at $995.00 ¢ Virtually no impact to your knees, hips, & back * Total body/less impact * Heart rate & calorie monitor em att) 2350S. Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City * 484-9489 793 E. 7200 S., Midvale * 566-7446 all care decisions were made by the couple’s doctor, whoalso is a defendant. SHOP SPECIAL HOURS TODAY 9:30 A.M. TO 9:30 P.M. Outdoorclassics for AX MELMA t=TTe Tamm el etaLU) Timberland® rugged classics. Perfect for the man whowantsquality and comfort. Cela?|e Polartec® fleece vest. The quick-drying fabric provides outstanding warmth,yetis light in weight. Available in navy, black or grey. Sizes M-L-XL-XXL. 59.50. Mini waffle crew neck tee. Long sleeve, brushed inside for softness and MEMNile) oma) black, heather grey, rer ASLLL juniper, camel or tweed. Sizes M-L-XL-XXL. 39.50. BO ore coala heavy brushedtwill for rem UIUMAiLOL stitching. Waist sizes RiOe Ce ETMt Color selection varies by store. ery oryApnea: namin fet oma aoeA-7 at all Dillard's locations. In Salt Lake City: Fashion Place and South Towne Center. in Ogden: Newgate M.. We welcome your Dillard's T. Card, The American Express® Card, Diners,CA intemationsl Mastercard? Visa® and The Discover Card. 5 CAs area |
