The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health passed the No Surprises Act (H.R. 3630), bipartisan legislation that would prohibit balance billing for out-of-network emergency services and certain out-of-network ancillary and post-stabilization services, and set a benchmark or reference rate for out-of-network payments to providers.
The American Hospital Association reported that no amendments were offered, and the bill passed on a voice vote. Several members raised concerns with the reimbursement structure outlined in the bill. Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and Ranking Member Greg Walden, R-Ore., both expressed a willingness to continue negotiations about a different approach, although they remained committed to the bill.
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· The subcommittee also approved bills that, as amended, would:
· Eliminate Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 and reduce the cuts from $8 billion to $4 billion in FY 2022 (an amendment to H.R. 2328).
· Implement new transparency and reporting requirements for drug manufacturers (H.R. 2296).
· Reauthorize for five years grant programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration to develop the nursing workforce (H.R. 728).
· Provide increased Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (H.R. 3631)
