Draft Proposal To Protect Patients From Surprise Medical Bills Eschews Arbitration Method Favored By Hospitals
The bipartisan measure instead sets up a process for determining how much the insurance company needs to pay the medical providers for the out-of-network care, basing the payments on the usual rates in that geographic area. "There is no question this proposal would transfer a bargaining power from providers to insurers — a fact that is sure to have provider groups up in arms," Benedic Ippolito of the American Enterprise Institute tells Modern Healthcare. In other news from Capitol Hill: "Medicare for All," detention centers, and a caucus for female veterans.
The Hill:
Dem House Chairman, Top Republican Release Measure To End Surprise Medical Bills
The Democratic and Republican leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday released a discussion draft of a measure to protect patients from getting massive, unexpected medical bills, a sign of bipartisan momentum on the issue. The release from Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) and ranking member Greg Walden (R-Ore.) comes after President Trump called for action on the issue last week. (Sullivan, 5/14)
Modern Healthcare:
House Committee Proposes Surprise Medical Bill Ban
Notably, the House Energy and Commerce Committee's bipartisan proposal doesn't opt for arbitration to resolve pay disputes between hospitals, physicians and insurers — the approach hospitals and specialty physicians favor. Instead, insurers would pay out-of-network clinicians based on what they'd pay similar physicians in their networks. Additionally, hospitals would have to get written permission from patients before letting an out-of-network physician treat them for a scheduled procedure. (Luthi, 5/14)
Los Angeles Times:
Wary Of Medicare For All, Democrats Seek Easier Paths To Universal Coverage
Wary of the political risks and practical difficulties of Medicare-for-all proposals that would move every American into a government health plan, Democrats increasingly are embracing more modest plans to use Medicare to expand insurance coverage. This strategy — backed by former Vice President Joe Biden as well as other Democratic presidential hopefuls and leading members of Congress — would give Americans the option to sign up for Medicare, the half-century-old government plan currently reserved for the elderly and disabled. (Levey, 5/14)
The Associated Press:
Lawmakers Ask Watchdog To Probe Migrant Teen Camp's Contract
Three Democratic lawmakers are asking a government watchdog agency to investigate how a private company tied to former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly secured a no-bid contract to hold migrant children in a Florida facility. South Florida U.S. representatives Donna Shalala, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell sent a letter to the Office of Inspector General in the Department of Health and Human Services on Monday. In the document made public Tuesday, the House members ask for a probe of Kelly's role in the contract negotiations, given he was a board member of the contractor's umbrella company, Caliburn International. (Gomez Licon, 5/14)
The Associated Press:
Congresswomen To Form A Caucus Focusing On Female Veterans
Congresswomen with military service in their past, some of them forged on post-Sept. 11 wars, are hoping to create their own caucus to drive an agenda to support the nation's growing ranks of female service members. Such a caucus — bipartisan and including men — would be a first, too. There are more than a dozen military and veteran-related caucuses in the House, but none dedicated to the specific needs of women who serve. (Kellman, 5/15)
Kaiser Health News:
Listen: A Blitz Of Health Care Bills
Julie Rovner, Kaiser Health News’ chief Washington correspondent, talks with Robin Young on “Here and Now” about Democrats’ plans to push a package of health care bills through the House this week. The measure will give lawmakers a talking point about their efforts to bolster the Affordable Care Act after the Trump administration has sought to weaken it. The package, however, includes several bills with bipartisan support to get generics on the market sooner. (5/14)
