1.   As the House of Representatives took up the patient protection bill Thursday, the Georgia congressman who had led the reform crusade found himself as something of an outcast.

2.   A number of dissident Republicans have heard these concerns and are pushing for tougher patient protections, including the right to sue health plans when they improperly deny coverage.

3.   Bush backs federal legislation that would mirror the patient protections laws in Texas.

4.   Bush has signed a patient protection bill into law in Texas after initially fighting another version of the bill.

5.   But Dr. England said the companies she represents are worried about the implications of patient protection legislation that might give patients the right to sue employers.

6.   But getting such patient protections on the books will require concessions all around.

7.   But many Democrats believe Republicans are purposefully undermining the push for broad patient protections.

8.   But some manufacturers also have labeled durable items like surgical steel saw blades for single use, suggesting that they have some interest other than patient protection in mind.

9.   Critics complained that the new provisions would preempt state patient protection laws, such as those in California, Georgia and Texas.

10.   Democrats and many Republicans said they wanted a patient protection bill, to help people denied care by the cost-control tactics of HMOs.