Washington, D.C. – Joint Economic Committee Chairman, Robert F. Bennett, announced today that he will hold a hearing on “Consumer-Directed Doctoring: The Doctor Is In, Even If Insurance Is Out.”

The American health care system is fraught with overregulation, inadequate reimbursement, third-party micromanagement, and soaring medical liability premiums. Chairman Bennett has invited physicians who are known for delivering health care through innovative and entrepreneurial means to testify before the Joint Economic Committee. Each witness will describe the approach that they have taken to build a medical practice without the bureaucracy of the health insurance system.

WHAT: JEC hearing on “Consumer-Directed Doctoring: The Doctor Is In, Even If Insurance Is Out.”

WHEN: Wednesday, April 28, 2004, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Room 628, Dirksen Senate Office Building

WITNESSES: Robert S. Berry, M.D.
PATMOS EmergiClinic
Greeneville, Tennessee

Alieta Eck, M.D.
Drs. Eck, Apelian and Mathews
Piscataway, NJ
Zarephath Health Center
Zarephath, NJ

Bernard Kaminetsky, M.D., F.A.C.P.
Colton & Kaminetsky
Boca Raton, Florida

Robert Berenson, M.D .
Senior Fellow
The Urban Institute
Washington, DC