AHA, Health Organizations to HELP Committee Re: Lower Health Care Costs Act

AHA, health organizations agree with the Committee’s goal, outlined in the Lower Health Care Costs Act (S.1895), to give America’s families needed protection from the problem of “surprise medical bills” that result from unexpected gaps in coverage or medical emergencies. However, have serious concerns about the legislative provision that sets a benchmark rate in statute for the out-of-network payments, as well as provisions that seek to change privately negotiated contracting arrangements between hospitals and insurance companies.