Response to the President's Announcement on Extending Patient Protections

President's proposal will provide protections to federal employees, Medicaid and Medicare recipients

Statement of Judy Waxman, Director of Government Affairs, Families USA, in response to the President's announcement on extending patient protections to federal workers and Medicare and Medicaid recipients

"We believe that today's announcement by the President is a first step in addressing many of the real problems Americans are facing everyday in health plans across the country.

"The President's proposal will provide protections to federal employees, Medicaid and Medicare recipients; we hope Congress will take the important next step and pass strong consumer protections for all Americans.

"There is a broad base of support for consumer protection legislation from both sides of the aisle, from consumer groups and even from some in the health plan industry.

"Consumers need to know that they will receive the coverage they have been promised by their health plans including access to specialists, disclosure of important health plan information, internal and external appeals process, and coverage for emergency room visits these are basic health care rights that need legally enforceable standards."

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

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