Manufacturing leader says HMO bill will hurt Iowans

The President of the National Association of Manufacturers is urging Iowabusiness leaders to lobby against the bill, just passed by the U-S House,which cracks down on H-M-O abuses. “Tink” Campbell says the “patients’ billof rights” could bring the death of some businesses.Campbell claims if the bill becomes law, workers will begin to sue theiremployer for medical malpractice. Supporters of the legislature say businesses will only be held liable if thebusiness itself makes medical decisions, rather than the standard practiceof an insurer making those decisions. Regardless, Campbell says businesseswill quit insuring workers if the bill becomes law.The National Association of Manufacturers has over 200 member businesses inIowa which employ 110-thousand. Campbell spoke yesterday at the IowaIndustry Conference in Des Moines.