Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Tonight the House Ways and Means Committee announced a bipartisan, bicameral agreement in principle to end surprise medical billing. As a member of this committee and advocate for a surprise medical billing solution, Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released the following statement:
 
"Republicans and Democrats have worked together to end surprise medical billing – an issue that can affect Kansans even when they do their due diligence to find covered providers. Over the past year, my Ways and Means colleagues and I have developed a plan that removes surprise billing burdens from patients, empowers patients with up-front information for scheduled procedures, and protects patients when emergency services are provided," said Rep. Estes. "At a time when Americans are especially concerned with their physical well-being, this framework is something that will make health care not only more accessible, but more transparent."
 
Rep. Estes supported similar bipartisan legislation earlier this year and spoke in support of ending surprise medical billing at a Ways and Means Committee markup. This new framework puts an end to surprise medical billing, provides patients with a true estimate three days before any scheduled surgery, and creates a fair arbitration process for billing disputes between providers and insurers. When patients are rushed to an out-of-network hospital or unknowingly treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network facility, they will no longer be penalized with a surprise medical bill. Additionally, this framework won’t increase premiums for patients or interfere with existing state-level solutions, does not include any price setting, and will not create more government overreach.

Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas’ 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means.