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<strong><img class="alignright wp-image-5116 size-full" src="https://healthlawupdate.bakerhostetlerblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/05/1200x630Washington-DC-iStock_000074771283_Blog-image_lt-blue-e1549910644100.jpg" alt="" width="438" height="230">SURPRISE BILLING FIX REGAINING TRACTION?</strong>

Legislation to address unexpected bills for out-of-network medical care appears to be making a comeback, after a committee turf battle <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/474520-turf-war-derails-bipartisan-push-on-surprise-medical-bills">stalled</a> its progress at the end of last year.

House leaders want to pass a bill by May, when they intentionally created a deadline for several popular health programs that will need congressional reauthorization. Leaders <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSullivan4/status/1206597877553868800?s=20">hope</a> to drive action on surprise billing and prescription drug costs in May.

House Ways and Means Chairman <a href="https://neal.house.gov/">Richie Neal</a>, D-Mass., <a href="https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-pulse/2020/01/30/life-expectancy-went-up-while-drug-overdoses-fell-784866">plans</a> this week to release his committee’s bipartisan legislation. Neal says the committee will vote on its bill Feb. 12. The <a href="https://waysandmeans.house.gov/sites/democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov/files/documents/WM%20Surprise%20Billing%20Summary.pdf">plan</a> relies on outside mediation to settle billing disputes; a competing <a href="https://republicans-energycommerce.house.gov/news/press-release/breaking-27-patient-and-consumer-advocacy-groups-back-bicameral-bipartisan-surprise-billing-deal/">plan</a> from the House Energy and Commerce Committee uses a benchmark payment rate.

<a href="https://www.ohioclock.com/2020/02/capitol-hill-healthcare-update-45/"><strong>Read more on BakerHostetler’s Ohio Clock blog &gt;&gt;</strong></a>