[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 147 (Thursday, December 4, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1732-E1733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 BRIDGING THE AFFORDABILITY GAP IN ACA

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                           HON. DAVID P. ROE

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 4, 2014

  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, since the implementation of the 
Affordable Care Act, more and more Tennesseans, and more and more 
Americans, are expressing concern about the affordability of health 
care. Even though more people have insurance, they are struggling with 
growing deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
   To put a finer point on it, the Kaiser Family Foundation reports 
that one in three Americans are having difficulty paying their medical

[[Page E1733]]

bills, while the National Foundation for Credit Counseling reports 64 
percent don't have $1,000 to cover an emergency expense. According to 
Kaiser, deductibles have increased 50 percent since 2009.
   During October, I was made aware of one innovative approach to 
bridge the affordability gap when I toured Holston Medical Group, one 
of the largest, multi-specialty physician practices in the southeastern 
United States and located in my district. Holston is partnering with a 
company called CarePayment to try to help ensure their patients can 
afford care recommended by their doctor.
   Through its partnership with CarePayment, Holston patients can 
spread medical payments over 25 months or more at zero percent APR, 
without impact to their credit score. Everyone is eligible, regardless 
of income or employment status. This program helps patients afford 
their bills, and it also helps hospitals reduce their bad debt. For 
example, Holston has reduced its bad debt by 85 percent. That's 
significant, particularly when you consider that hospitals are seeing 
more and more of their bad debt coming from patients who have 
insurance.
   This program removes financial concerns so patients can focus on 
their recovery. I was told one story about Betty, a constituent from 
Bristol, Tennessee, who injured her shoulder and needed physical 
therapy, but couldn't afford treatment. She enrolled in Holston's 
CarePayment program, finished therapy and pays just $25 a month. She 
says she couldn't have had the treatment if Holston didn't offer the 
financing plan.
   As a physician, I know what can happen when patients delay care. And 
delaying treatment is more likely when they don't have the money to 
pay.
   The partnership between CarePayment and Holston is increasingly 
necessary as costs continue to be shifted. With uncertainty about the 
long-term feasibility of the ACA, partnerships like these may be 
helpful in ensuring patients can continue to receive the care they 
need.

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