BY WYATT
STEWART 13 June 2019
On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives
held two hearings with potential implications for the health insurance
marketplace: the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on “Medicare for
All,” and the Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on surprise medical
billing.
“Pathways to Universal Health Coverage” was
the third House hearing this year to cover “Medicare for All.” Of note, this
was the first time a committee with jurisdiction over health care held a
hearing that included “Medicare for All.” The hearing also covered other ideas
to expand health insurance coverage, including Medicare buy-in and the public
option.
“No More Surprises: Protecting Patients from
Surprise Medical Bills” focused on a discussion draft of the “No Surprises
Act,” legislation introduced by Chairman Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey) and
Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-Oregon). The legislation would prohibit balance
billing and limit patient cost-sharing to the in-network amount for emergency
services, and services provided by certain facility-based providers in the
private insurance market.
The legislation would resolve the payment
dispute between providers and insurers by requiring that the insurer pay at
minimum the median in-network negotiated rate for the service in the geographic
area where the service is delivered.
Wyatt Stewart is
Big “I” senior director of federal government affairs.
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