THE VALUED VOICE

WHA is continuing to build support for Congress acting on a surprise billing solution that protects patients while preserving free-market negotiations between health care providers and insurers.
 
On Feb. 26, the WHA and the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative sent a joint letter to Wisconsin’s House delegation urging them to cosponsor H.R. 5826, the Consumer Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020. WHA has also activated its HEAT network so lawmakers hear from hospital leaders and grassroots supporters.
 
As noted in a recent article in The Valued Voice, WHA has supported H.R. 5826 because it is the only proposal moving in Congress that both protects patients and keeps providers and insurers on an even playing field. Other proposals put forward by Congress rely on government-set benchmark rates that would have unintended consequences for patients and the hospitals who care for them. The current House committees that have put forward differing surprise billing proposals have begun to negotiate a final package that could come to the House floor in late spring. WHA will continue to monitor and advocate for Congress to select the right solution.
 
Contact WHA Director of Federal & State Relations Jon Hoelter with questions.