Prior Authorization Legislation Takes Center Stage at Joint Hearing on Health Care Affordability

A joint hearing held on Jan. 22 by the U.S. House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health and the Ways and Means Committee hosted chief executive officers of private health insurance companies to discuss health care affordability.

Prior authorization processes received criticism from congressional members, with Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) promoting the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514/S.1816). This bill seeks to streamline the Medicare Advantage prior authorization process.

"Today's hearing with health insurance CEOs highlighted the importance of passing quality bipartisan legislation, including my bill, the 'Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act,' which has nearly 250 cosponsors,” Kelly said. “It would modernize and streamline the Medicare Advantage prior authorization process. Thirty-three million Americans, including 1.5 million Pennsylvanians, who rely on Medicare Advantage would greatly benefit from this legislation. I call on these CEOs to support it." 

CVS Health, which was represented among the CEOs on the witness panel, recently endorsed the legislation, according to a press release from Kelly’s office. Future hearings in a series on health care costs are expected to convene this year.  

Sources:

https://energycommerce.house.gov/events/health-subcommittee-lowering-health-care-costs-for-all-americans-an-examination-of-health-insurance-affordability

https://waysandmeans.house.gov/event/full-committee-hearing-with-health-insurance-ceos/

https://kelly.house.gov/media/press-releases/kelly-health-insurance-ceos-support-improving-seniors-timely-access-care-act