[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION THE PATIENT ADVOCATE ACT

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                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2008

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, access to quality, affordable 
health care is critical to the well being of our citizens. With 46 
million uninsured, including 9 million children, and many more 
underinsured, we must focus on strengthening our existing system as we 
continue to work to assure that quality health care is available to 
all. The Patient Advocate Act will assist patients, particularly those 
with a chronic illness, in successfully meeting the challenges brought 
on by their illness.
  Patients battling a life-threatening illness are generally ill-
equipped to negotiate with insurance companies, hospitals and other 
medical providers. Advocates will be available to assist with job 
retention and other debt crisis matters, while the patients are dealing 
with the reality of their illness at the same time. The limited network 
of existing patient advocate programs have proven their value and cost 
effectiveness. It is in the best interest of the patient to have 
someone available to advocate on their behalf while suffering from 
chronic illness.
  Madam Speaker, the Patient Advocate Act would establish a 
demonstration grant program for State, local, tribal and non-profit 
entities to develop and operate patient advocate programs. The programs 
will assist patients in resolving health insurance, job retention, debt 
crisis and other problems related to the patients' diagnosis and 
illness. Specific services include negotiating pre-authorization 
claims, expediting the appeals process on contested claims, resolving 
billing errors and other bill issues, resolving debt crises, brokering 
resources to supplement limits to insurance, gaining access to services 
for the uninsured, and addressing other problems related to the 
patient's illness, at no cost to the patient. The grants will be made 
available to existing and new patient advocacy programs.
  Madam Speaker, to ensure that patients facing serious illness are 
able to effectively address the major issues that confront them during 
their illness, it is vitally important that they have access to 
professional case management services. The Patient Advocate Act will 
provide communities with the ability to establish patient advocate 
programs to assist patients as they negotiate the challenges of serious 
illness. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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