11.   Critics immediately denounced the external review program that was unveiled yesterday in San Francisco by the president of an HMO trade association.

12.   Democrats want a broader external review by an independent panel that would be required to report in a few days depending on the severity of the case.

13.   Despite the small numbers, mandatory external review can yield tangible benefits.

14.   Efforts are under way in Washington to extend external review protections to members of self-funded plans.

15.   Exactly how to implement external review remains controversial.

16.   First, they say, external review is unnecessary in competitive markets where patients will gravitate toward those plans that offer patients the most attractive avenues of appeal.

17.   External review can help allay the fears associated with managed care and could become law in many states.

18.   For their part, participating health plans say that while they have previously sponsored external review legislation, a market approach can be effective and consistent.

19.   He said the industry particularly supported the bill providing for external review of decisions by HMOs denying coverage to patients.

20.   Health plans resist external review for two reasons.