Carnahan cosponsors Medicare prescription bill

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Missouri Sen. Jean Carnahan has sponsored her first three bills in the U.S. Senate.|ret||ret||tab|

According to a press release from Carnahan's office, the bills cover agriculture and health care.|ret||ret||tab|

Senate Bill 20, the "Securing a Future for Independent Agriculture Act," is supposed to improve market access and competition for farmers. It also would increase the availability of equity for cooperatives. Country-of-origin labeling would be required on farm products and market loan rates would be equalized. It also supports civil rights in farm program administration.|ret||ret||tab|

A second bill is Senate Bill 6, "The Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 2001." |ret||ret||tab|

If passed, the law would apply to all Americans with private insurance to guarantee basic patient rights, including access to emergency care, qualified specialists, needed medications and clinical trials. It also would provide direct OB/GYN access for women. The bill is also meant to protect the doctor-patient relationship. A timely review process, by which patients can appeal denial of insurance coverage to an independent third-party, is included in the bill.|ret||ret||tab|

Carnahan's third cosponsored legislation is Senate Bill 10, the "Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Act of 2001," intended to create a universal, voluntary prescription drug benefit in the Medicare program. After an annual $250 deductible is met, there would be no limits or caps on the benefit and no gaps in coverage. [[In-content Ad]]