12.12.2019 / Press Release

Statement: Ways and Means Committee Needs to Allow Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Protect Consumers from Surprise Medical Bills To Move Forward by December 20

Washington, D.C. – Families USA released the following statement regarding the Ways and Means Committee leaders’ announcement regarding an agreement on surprise bills in the committee, which could delay bipartisan, bicameral legislation on surprise medical bills.

We appreciate the Ways and Means Committee leaders’ interest in stopping surprise medical bills. However, with more than 10,000 families every day experiencing a surprise medical bill and the financial devastation they can create, further delay in taking action is unacceptable. This issue has been under consideration for many, many months. The primary committees of jurisdiction in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have acted to move legislation to address the problem of surprise medical bills.

“Now, at the 11th hour when there is a bipartisan, bicameral, and fully scored deal on the table it is deeply disappointing that the Ways and Means Committee is suggesting a delay in action on surprise medical bills. We know that pushing legislative action into 2020 pushes the work into a difficult presidential election year and makes it harder for Congress to act. This would dramatically increase the odds that Congress will fail to enact meaningful legislation to ban surprise medical bills and fail our nation’s families,” said Frederick Isasi, Families USA executive director.

Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader McConnell, and Minority Leader Schumer: our nation’s families are urging you— Before returning home for the holidays, Congress must act.