Texas lawmakers have proposed a plan with the goal of easing the burden on medical patients dealing with surprise medical bills. Senator Kelly Hancock filed a bill that forbids healthcare providers from charging patients the difference between what the provider and the insurer think the procedure is worth. The bill would require the provider and insurer to work out any disputes before billing the patient, therefore taking the work off the shoulders of patients. The existing balance bill mediation program is the Texas Department of Insurance Program, and through the bill, it would address more surprise bills and specifically help patients who have no choice in their healthcare provider. This bill would help address issues state-wise, but consumer protection is needed at a federal level.
During and after the Great Depression, the federal government became more involved with the issues of citizens. The government realized they were responsible for the welfare of the people. This problem of surprise medical bills involves economy and the health of individuals, similar to the struggles that the government had to address during the Great Depression. Our country's healthcare system is very complicated, and I'm glad that lawmakers are trying to make it easier on patients.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/03/01/699544126/texas-takes-aim-at-surprise-medical-bills-in-bipartisan-proposal
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