GOP Doctors Caucus Sends Letter to Trump Administration on Surprise Billing

andndash; Today, Reps. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN), Andy Harris, M.D. (R-MD), Ralph Abraham, M.D. (R-LA), Scott DesJarlais, M.D. (R-TN), Neal Dunn, M.D. (R- FL), John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Drew Ferguson, D.M.D. (R-GA) and Brad Wenstrup D.P.M. (R-OH) released the following statements after sending a letter to the Trump administration on ending surprise billing:

andldquo;As practicing physician for over 25 years, I've seen unexpected medical bills harm those seeking care far too often,andrdquo; said Rep. Joyce. andldquo;The good news is that President Trump has articulated a strong desire to address this matter. Many states have already offered innovative solutions for how to do so, and I am eager to advocate for these common sense solutions at the federal level in order to protect patients.andrdquo;

andldquo;I am pleased President Trump recently acknowledged the serious issue of surprise billing that our nation currently faces. These unanticipated medical bills cause financial stress on patients and families across the country, and a solution is desperately needed,andrdquo; said Rep. Roe. andldquo; As doctors, we believe the best strategy to end these costly surprise bills is through a system that includes arbitration between the physician and insurer, and takes the patient out of the middle. New York, for example, has a robust independent dispute resolution process where the physician and insurance company enter arbitration when there is a disagreement on what constitutes reasonable payment for services. Within two years of its enactment, New York saw a 70 percent reduction in surprise billing. I hope President Trump and his administration will consider a similar proposal to find a solution that works for the physician, insurer and andndash; most importantly andndash; the patient.

andldquo;The President is listening to Americans' concerned about rising health care costs. As a physician, I agree with the President on ending surprise billing and I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues in Congress to get a fair solution in place this year that protects patients,andrdquo; said Rep. Harris.

andldquo;We must find ways to reduce the overall costs of health care, and eliminating surprise medical bills should absolutely be a top priority. I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues in Congress to end these surprise bills,andrdquo; said Rep. Abraham.

andldquo;As doctors, we know that patients must be protected from unanticipated bills when they cannot pick the doctor; these bills cause more stress and less healing. That's why we're urging the Administration to consider solutions that are already working in states across the country to better protect patients while maintaining the balance in our health care system that ensures access to care,andrdquo; said Rep. Wenstrup.

andldquo;No patient should be faced with the prospect of an unexpectedly large medical bill for simply seeking care. Americans continue to see skyrocketing costs and restricted access to care as a result of our broken system. I am glad President Trump supports the effort to prevent patients from receiving outrageous medical bills just because of the uncontrollable circumstances of their care,andrdquo;said Rep. Ferguson.

Note: Read the letter sent to Trump administration here.