The American Presidency Project • Barack Obama The President's
Weekly Address December 19, 2009 Over the past few decades,
there has been an intense struggle in Washington between the
lobbyists for the insurance industry and the interests of the
American people over what's been called a patient's bill of
rights, a set of rules to protect Americans from some of the
worst practices of the health insurance industry, rules to
ensure that all Americans are getting the care they need from
their doctors and the care they deserve from their insurance
companies.  The last time a patient's bill of rights was within
reach was roughly a decade ago, and it was supported by
Democrats and Republicans alike, from Ted Kennedy to John
McCain. It included the right to an appeals process so you could
challenge an unfair decision by an insurance company before a
third party. It included the right to choose your own doctor. It
included the right to access information about what your health
insurance plan means for you, and it call