WHEREAS, President Bill Clinton appointed the Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry (``Advisory Commission") which is charged with ``advising the President on changes occurring in the health care system and recommending measures as may be necessary to promote and assure health care quality and value, and protect consumers and workers in the health care system;" and,

WHEREAS,  changes in the delivery and financing of health care have raised questions over declining consumer confidence in health plans and providers, and the potential for reduced quality of care; and,

WHEREAS, part of the Advisory Commission's task was to develop a Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities; and,

WHEREAS, the Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities covers eight areas:  (1) information disclosure, (2) choice of providers and plans, (3) access to emergency services, (4) participating in treatment decisions, (5) respect and non-discrimination, (6) confidentiality of health information, (7) complaints and appeals, and (8) consumer responsibilities; and,

WHEREAS, the Department of Public Health believes that the Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities can assist in promoting quality care and protecting consumers; and,

WHEREAS, the Department currently has certain procedures in place to provide consumers with information, educate consumers about their health care choices, maintain confidential consumer information, address consumers grievances and treat consumers in a respectful manner; and,

WHEREAS, in keeping with the Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities the Department will:  (1) continue it efforts to inform consumers about their rights and responsibilities, and promote mutual respect between consumers and providers, and (2) actively work with health plans that we have contracts with to also address consumer rights within managed care; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Department and the Health Commission support the Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities recommended by President Clinton's Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry.

I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Health Commission at its meeting of Tuesday, March 3, 1998.