AMA, AHA Call for Stronger Patient Insurance Protections

The American Medical Association (AMA) has joined seven prominent health industry groups in calling for the Senate to address patient protection concerns regarding health insurance coverage. 

The move by eight of the nation’s leading healthcare organizations, including the American Hospital Association (AHA), Federation of American Hospitals (FAH), and AARP, comes in the face of continuing uncertainty over the future of health insurance coverage for Americans.

The organizations have identified four shortcomings they see in the payer industry: affordability of insurance, access to essential care, protection for those on Medicaid, and protections for those with employer-sponsored health insurance.

“Health care remains a deeply personal concern for American families, and together, we must seek solutions that help make healthcare more affordable,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond.

“We’re pleased to join these groups and raise our voices to call on the Senate to move in a different direction so that we can improve healthcare for Americans.”

The same groups had previously joined dozens more in objecting to the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the ACA repeal bill recently passed in the House. 

To spread the message for protecting patients’ access to affordable healthcare, the coalition will hold a series of events across the country. The events will begin in Colorado, Ohio, Nevada, and West Virginia before branching out to additional states.

A recurring theme stressed by the organizations is the vital need for coverage of those with pre-existing conditions.

“With nearly half of Americans likely to develop pre-existing heart and stroke conditions in the next 20 years, access to reasonably priced, quality health care must be protected,” said Nancy Brown, CEO, American Heart/American Stroke Association.

The first event, to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, will feature local patients and providers, as well state specific data on the public health implications of inadequate healthcare coverage.

“Improving the health of our nation means increasing access to high-quality, affordable health insurance coverage, which is why the reduction of coverage in the American Health Care Act is of grave concern,” said AMA President elect David O. Barbe, MD.  “Patients continue to benefit from the gains in coverage and consumer protections achieved in recent years, and we oppose legislation that diminish these gains.”

Further underscoring the AMA’s commitment to addressing insurers and legislators for patient protection, the organization recently adopted several new policies during the last day of its 2017 annual meeting.

One of the policies called for expanding the ability to sell health insurance products across state lines. This policy would further demand that insurance products sold would carry consistent patient and provider protections enforceable in the state of residence.

“Health care markets need increased competition, as too many of our patients face too few choices when seeking coverage. But in expanding these opportunities, we must ensure that the insurance products being sold comply with state laws intended to protect consumers,” said AMA Board Member Russell W. H. Kridel, MD.

The AMA also reiterated its opposition to any caps in Medicaid funding, which are currently called for in the AHCA.

“Capping Medicaid funding would be disastrous for patients by limiting medical responses to unforeseen events and medical innovations,” said AMA Board of Trustees Member Carl A. Sirio, MD.

“Caps would threaten coverage for vulnerable populations – especially children and those in need of a safety net – a point we have made repeatedly to policymakers in Washington.”