Insurance companies have long taken advantage of patients. They use harmful practices like prior authorization to delay and deny much-needed care. I am grateful that U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., and her bipartisan colleagues are holding these insurers accountable with the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. With its broad support, this bill would improve our seniors’ burdensome prior authorization process under Medicare Advantage plans. As an Arthritis Foundation volunteer and Advocacy Chair for the Local Leader Board in Washington, Alaska and Oregon, I know how important it is for seniors to access timely, high-quality care. Unfortunately, burdensome prior authorization requirements are impeding that access.
It’s disheartening to learn that more than 9 in 10 physicians report insurers’ prior authorization requirements delay their patients’ access to care. Corporate insurers’ deliberate denial of care solely for profit is a stark reality. Instead of facilitating seniors’ access to necessary care, these insurance companies profit from making it nearly impossible to receive even basic care recommended by doctors.
I am grateful to Rep. DelBene and her colleagues for combating these harmful practices and advocating for Washington seniors’ access to healthcare. I urge her and her colleagues to persist in this fight, as it is crucial to curb these harmful practices and expand access to 24/7 health care.
Heidi Barrett
Everett
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
