51.   Right now, federal law prohibits patients in federally regulated plans from suing their insurers, and exempts insurers from patient protections approved by state legislatures.

52.   So far, the panel has concentrated on basic patient protections that lawmakers from both houses generally agree on.

53.   The final regulation by the Food and Drug Administration surprised consumer advocates, who say it weakens patient protections.

54.   The final regulation issued Wednesday by the Food and Drug Administration surprised consumer advocates, who maintain it weakens patient protections.

55.   The House and Senate passed bills that offer patient protections, but they differ on liability and who would be covered.

56.   The latest incarnation of the popular legislation also would allow states to opt out of any new patient protections.

57.   The patient protection bill triggered fierce lobbying in the House.

58.   The Senate bill has no new rights to sue and excludes many Americans from other patient protections.

59.   They said he will emphasize areas of agreements with Democrats on patient protections.

60.   Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia have such patient protection laws.