Message from Rob Wittman:
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Health insurance should provide peace of mind, not uncertainty.
Every year, millions of Americans pay their premiums expecting their health insurance to be there when they need it most. Instead, too many families are met with unexpected claim denials, lengthy appeals, and frustrating delays that stand between them and the care they deserve.
The problem is that consumers often have little to no information about how an insurance company actually operates before choosing a health plan.
That’s why I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues in supporting the Prior Authorization Accountability Act, legislation that will shine a light on the practices of health insurance companies and give patients the information they deserve.
Our bill requires health insurance companies to publicly disclose:
- Their claim denial rates
- How often denied claims are appealed
- How many of those denials are ultimately overturned
- How long it takes to resolve an appeal
This information would be prominently displayed on insurers’ websites and included in understandable materials so families can compare plans based not only on cost, but also on how likely insurers are to honor the coverage they’ve promised.
If an insurance company routinely denies claims or forces patients through long appeals before approving medically necessary care, Americans deserve to know that before they enroll.
Greater transparency means greater accountability. When health insurance companies know patients can compare their track records, they’ll have a stronger incentive to treat families fairly and provide the timely care people have already paid for.
Healthcare decisions should be driven by patients and their doctors—not hidden insurance company policies or bureaucratic delays.
I’m proud to work with Republicans and Democrats to advance commonsense reforms that put patients first, increase transparency, and hold health insurance companies accountable for the promises they make.
As always, it is an honor to serve Virginia’s First District in Congress.
Sincerely,
Rob Wittman
Member of Congress, Virginia’s 1st District