Support the No Surpises Act to fight suprise medical billing

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, April 12, 2022

The pandemic has highlighted critical flaws in our health care system as Americans continue to face rising costs and surprise bills that leave them in financial ruin. The No Surprises Act, passed by Congress in 2020, was a step in the right direction, but legislators must ensure it is being properly enforced and eliminate loopholes.

Before the No Surprises Act passed, at least 35 percent of voters said they or a loved one had received a surprise medical bill. This crisis was compounded by the pandemic, which has caused thousands of Americans to lose their jobs, income, and insurance. One unexpected bill could devastate a family. When out-of-pocket costs associated with health care are so high that more than half of Americans with employer-sponsored health insurance still need to delay recommending treatment, the issue becomes indisputably clear.

While the No Surprises Act is encouraging, the legislation is under siege as it currently faces six lawsuits from providers who will do anything to protect their bottom line. As providers and hospitals turn to increasingly predatory practices to recoup unpaid medical bills and to limit the impact of the No Surprises Act, I urge our delegation to protect Americans from the undue burden imposed by our health care system.

Adrienne Fraley-Monillas

Edmonds