[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 26, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H5176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            SURPRISE BILLING

  (Mr. RUIZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to announce the introduction of my 
bill, the Protecting People from Surprise Medical Bills Act, 
legislation to protect patients from unfair and expensive surprise 
medical bills. By working together as a bipartisan team of 30 original 
cosponsors--and growing--we are gaining momentum because we agree that 
patients must come first.
  For too many middle-class families, receiving an unexpected and very 
expensive bill from an out-of-network provider is devastating and can 
lead to severe anxiety, depression, and financial ruin.
  Our bill creates the most fair and transparent system to end surprise 
bills without picking winners or losers. This bill is the best solution 
to protect middle-class families from receiving an unexpected and very 
expensive bill from an out-of-network provider.
  As an emergency room physician, I know patients come first and must 
be protected. That is why this bill includes the strongest patient 
protections of any surprise billing legislation proposed in this House 
or Senate.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to Dr. Roe and the 30 Members who agree 
that the Protecting People from Surprise Medical Bills Act is the most 
effective legislation in Congress to end surprise billing once and for 
all.

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