The negative error rate measures improper denials or termination of food stamp benefits.

In Manchester crown court a confession to two murders was disallowed because of improper denial of access; another man later pleaded guilty to the same charges.

But they made no progress on the most contentious issue: whether to make it easier for patients to sue health maintenance organizations for the improper denial of care.

A majority of House members also want to allow injured patients to sue H.M.O.'s for damages caused by the improper denial of care.

They did not give patients a right to sue health maintenance organizations for damages resulting from the improper denial of care, as President Clinton had demanded.

It would also give consumers the right to sue health plans in state courts for injuries and deaths caused by improper denials of care.

In June, by a 59-to-36 vote, the Senate passed a similar bill giving patients a much broader right to sue health plans for improper denial of care.

August 2008: Siemer appealed to the Court of Appeal on double jeopardy and improper denial of trial by jury grounds.

The negative error rate measures the frequency of improper denials or termination of benefits.

The judge said the lawsuit could go forward in state court because it involved "claims for medical negligence, not claims for the improper denial of plan benefits."