Health care uproar sparks new legislation in Congress
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Rep. Ritchie Torres at the U.S. Capitol on June 14. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images
A now-reversed Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield policy that would have created a time limit for coverage of anesthesia has led to a Democratic bill that would prevent such a cap in the future.
Why it matters: The bill, introduced by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), draws on a renewed focus on and energy around health policy spurred by the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
- The shooting last Wednesday reignited long-simmering debates on social media over health care costs and insurance claim denials, with some celebrating Thompson's death.
- The Anthem Blue Cross policy — which the insurer claimed was meant to crack down on overbilling by doctors — added significant fuel to the fire.
Driving the news: Torres, a potential New York gubernatorial candidate, is introducing a four-page bill called the "Anesthesia For All Act," his office said.
- The legislation would "prohibit health insurers ... from imposing arbitrary time caps on reimbursement for anesthesia services and for other purposes."
- It directs the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general to conduct audits to ensure health insurance companies are complying and investigate accusations of non-compliance.
What he's saying: "We cannot trust insurers to do right by doctors and patients out of the kindness of their hearts," Torres said in a statement.
- "There is a need for legislation that prevents any insurer anywhere in America from micromanaging the length of anesthesia care in a medically necessary surgery."
- Torres has condemned the shooting of Thompson multiple times on social media, calling it "barbarism for which there should be no tolerance."
The other side: Anthem Blue Cross told news outlets that the policy was meant to "safeguard against potential anesthesia provider overbilling" in a "continuous efforts to improve affordability and accessibility to care."
- The company also said it followed Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services guidelines for setting its time limits.
- Anesthesiologist groups harshly opposed the move, arguing that surgery times can vary significantly and thus coverage can't be restricted on such a uniform basis.
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), who Torres is considering challenging, claimed at least partial credit for Anthem's reversal.
Go deeper: Who is Luigi Mangione, person of interest in UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting
Editor's note: This story was corrected to reflect that some people (not just people on the left) were celebrating Thompson's death due to anger over health care costs and insurance claim denials.
