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Congressional leaders are talking compromise in their desire to pass a patients’ rights bill before the 4^th of July recess, even as President Bush has threatened to veto the proposal favored by most Democrats. The bill, according to opponents, effectively makes too many concessions to trial lawyers.

A statement crafted by the Office of Management and Budget, read aloud today on the Senate floor by Sen. Tim Hutchinson (R-AR), noted "The President will veto the bill unless significant changes are made to address his major concerns."

On June 20, Bush was quoted as wanting a quick decision and he made no bones about favoring a rival proposal to the bill co-sponsored by Sens. John Edwards (D-NC) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) along with Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). The opposing bill is offered by Sens. John Breaux (D-LA) and Bill Frist (R-TN) and newly independent Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont.

Said Bush, "In any bill that requires my signature, patients will have the right to a fair and immediate review when medical care is denied. If a health care plan denies care, you should be able to appeal immediately to an independent, impartial review panel of medical doctors…and if they say you need the care, your heath care plan must provide it—period."

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), in any event, appears to be taking the high road. "Obviously, many of the principles the President articulated today (June 20) are exactly the principles incorporated in this legislation," Daschle said. "There is a lot of common ground here, and I think by restating his principles, we are again restating our belief that the common ground can produce a good result."

With possible amendments attached to whatever bill goes forward, debate could go on for several weeks. But Daschle indicated the Senate might work through the Independence Day holiday week if need be.