Rep. Estes Supports Bipartisan Surprise Billing Legislation

Statement

Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released a statement following yesterday's Ways and Means Committee markup of the bipartisan Consumer Protections Against Surprise Billing Act:

"An emergency room visit or scheduled procedure can be stressful if it's followed by an unexpected medical bill from an out-of-network provider. Even when Kansans do their due diligence to find covered providers, an out-of-network medical practitioner at an in-network facility can result in a surprise bill that harms the patient and their family," said Rep. Estes. "I'm pleased to support the bipartisan legislation that protects patients from receiving surprise bills while providing greater transparency in the process. The Consumer Protections Against Surprise Billing Act removes the burden from the patient and creates a fair, common sense mechanism for providers and insurers to resolve payment conflicts."

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts) and Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-Texas) introduced the Consumer Protections Against Surprise Billing Act, which passed unanimously out of committee yesterday. The legislation empowers patients with up-front information for scheduled procedures, protects patients when emergency services are provided, creates a fair mediation process for providers and insurers, and contains no minimum dollar threshold to bring forward disputes. Congressman Estes is an original cosponsor of the bill.

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