Patient, Consumer Groups Push Biden on Surprise Bill Regulations

Politico

June 10, 2021 10:29 pm

More than 20 organizations are urging the administration to adhere to a core set of principles when drafting regulations to prevent patients from receiving costly ā€œsurpriseā€ medical bills, POLITICOā€™s Rachel Roubein reports.

In a letter to three Biden cabinet secretaries, the groups said the administration should set rules that provide consumers with clear protections from unexpected charges and create a framework for mediating bills that also doesnā€™t lead to higher costs for patients.

The letter, signed by such groups as the American Heart Association, Epilepsy Foundation and American Lung Association, also includes a request for an education campaign to inform consumers of their legal protections.

ā€” Late last year, Congress included a ban on ā€œsurpriseā€ medical bills in its year-end package, but left the Biden administration to hammer out many of the details on how to ensure patients arenā€™t stuck with an unpayable tab. Health groups are racing to sway the agencies tasked with making the law work. The first set of regulations is due out by July 1.