08/01/2008 GAAS:588:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Gov. Schwarzenegger Applauds Actions to Protect Consumers from Unfair Medical Bills
Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement in support of his
Department of Managed Health Care's new
regulations that make balance billing, which is an anti-consumer tactic that
puts patients in the middle of payment disputes between health plans and
providers, an unfair billing practice:
"Putting
consumers in the middle of billing disputes between providers and health plans
is a terrible and unfair practice that must be stopped. It places inappropriate
medical costs squarely on consumers' shoulders and increases health care costs
for everyone-further illustrating our broken health care system and the need for
comprehensive reform. With these new regulations, my administration is
protecting Californians who have done the right thing by obtaining insurance,
but then later receive crushing medical bills that they should not owe. These
new regulations will offer consumers a place to seek help when they are caught
in the middle and address the root cause of balance billing. Of course, I
continue to also call on the legislature to pass legislation that will prohibit
this anti-consumer practice altogether."
