The American College of Radiology (ACR) applauds the efforts of Representatives Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN), Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Van Taylor (R-TX), Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN), Donna Shalala (D-FL), and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), to develop a comprehensive solution to surprise medical billing.

Patients, physicians, and policymakers are deeply concerned about the impact of unanticipated medical bills on patient out-of-pocket costs and the patient-physician relationship. The American College of Radiology (ACR) continues to promote principles designed to: create a mechanism for insurer accountability, establish limits on patient responsibility, avoid arbitrarily low payment benchmarks, mirror viable state laws and apply to all plan types.

The preliminary outline for the Protecting People From Surprise Medical Bills Act strikes a necessary balance by providing strong patient protections, while simultaneously improving transparency, promoting access to appropriate medical care and avoiding the creation of disincentives for insurers and health care providers to negotiate network participation contracts in good faith.
The College firmly believes that a solution built upon proven concepts of existing statutes in the states, such as New York, appropriately balances the interests of stakeholders while leaving patients out of the middle. The College is committed to working with Congress to advance a sensible approach to this critical issue.

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