U. S. Rep. Nancy Johnson Gets "Weasel Award" From Cable Access Program

NEWS&VIEWS gave Republican congressional representative, Nancy Johnson, its "Weasel Award" last night (10/19) for her recent "No" vote on the Patients' Bill of Rights. Ms. Johnson was the only one of the state's six representatives to vote against the Norwood-Dingell bill which passed in the House. If it passes in the Senate, the bill will allow patients to sue their HMOs or other insurance plans for injuries resulting from the insurer's denial of recommended medical care or for providing substandard treatment. The bill also guarantees access to emergency care and medical specialists. Johnson's fellow Republican congressional colleague, Christopher Shays, voted with the state's four Democratic representatives in favor of the bill's passage.

According to Dr. John Battista, one of the program's commentators, the 9th term U. S. representative from the 6th district has been frequently criticized for her acceptance of large PAC contributions from such special interests as the Health Insurance Association of America and Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association. Dr. Battista, chairman of the Connecticut Coalition for Universal Health Care said, "She's one of the top recipients of health care PAC money in the United States Congress."

NEWS&VIEWS gives the "Weasel Award" to those persons in public service who act contrary to the best interests of the community-at-large whether such action was taken at the local, state or national level. NEWS&VIEWS is a channel 21 public access news program airing every Tuesday night at 10:00pm on Charter Communications.

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