Consumer Group Applauds New Emergency Room Patient Protection Legislation

Statement by Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA on new bipartisan Access to Emergency Care Bill:

"Unlike some bills being considered in the House and Senate, legislation introduced today by Senators Bob Graham (D-FL) and John Chaffee (R-RI) and Representatives Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Marge Roukema (R-NJ) will establish true emergency room protections for consumers.

"Supporters of many other bills pending in the House and Senate claim to include emergency room protections in their legislation, but their legislation fails one very important test: If a consumer is having severe chest pains and goes to the nearest emergency room without calling their HMO first, would the health plan be obligated to pay for the coverage?

"If a bill can't meet this test, it isn't true emergency room protection. Many of the proposals being considered in Congress would not establish protections if a patient's only symptom is severe pain. Other bills would not protect millions of Americans who get their health coverage through their employer. The Access to Emergency Care Bill and legislation such as the Daschle/Dingell Patients' Bill of Rights Act and the Promoting Responsible Managed Care Act sponsored by Senator Chaffee pass this important test.

"We support the Access to Emergency Medical Services Act and hope that any comprehensive managed care protection legislation passed during this session of Congress includes this vital protection."

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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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