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Coalition Urges Congress to Avoid Jamming Surprise Billing Into Year-End Package

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National Taxpayers Union and 15 other taxpayer, consumer, and free-market advocates submitted a letter to Congressional leaders, urging them to avoid jamming surprise billing legislation into an otherwise unrelated year-end package. Jamming a surprise billing proposal into unrelated legislation, such as an appropriations bill that doubles down on the growth of federal spending or a drug pricing bill, is inconsistent with the impact this issue has on the health care system at large.

The letter text is below.

Coalition Letter Text

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, Leader McCarthy, and Leader Schumer:

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, representing a diverse coalition of taxpayer, consumer, and free-market advocates, we write asking you to avoid including surprise billing legislation in a larger year-end legislative package. Though we may disagree on the best methods to resolve payment disputes over surprise bills, we are unified in believing that this serious issue should be examined and debated on its own merits, not tucked into a large or unrelated bill as some expedient “pay-for” to mask runaway government spending.

The surprise billing issue has led to a fierce debate inside and outside Washington. While all stakeholders agree on the need to protect patients from balance billing, there is considerable disagreement over how to resolve inevitable payment disputes between providers and insurers. The topic has captured a significant amount of time and attention of the congressional committees with jurisdiction over health issues, especially the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Yet, much more work remains to be done to arrive at a comprehensive and viable solution.

This makes it all the more critical that whatever proposals come before the House and Senate receive a standalone vote and an opportunity for focused floor debate. Jamming a surprise billing proposal into unrelated legislation, such as an appropriations bill that doubles down on the growth of federal spending or a drug pricing bill, is inconsistent with the impact this issue has on the health care system at large.

We expect surprise billing will continue to be a subject of considerable discussion among members of Congress, doctors, insurers, patients, and taxpayers. These and other stakeholders deserve to have their voices heard carefully and thoughtfully by the legislative branch. Thus, at a minimum, we urge you to avoid a rushed, back-door process to passing a proposal on this issue. 

Sincerely,

National Taxpayers Union

60 Plus Association

American Commitment

American Consumer Institute

Americans for Prosperity

Center for a Free Economy

Center for Freedom & Prosperity

Center for Individual Freedom

Club for Growth

Consumer Action for a Strong Economy

Council for Citizens Against Government Waste

FreedomWorks

Institute for Liberty

Less Government

Taxpayers Protection Alliance

The Market Institute