Letter to the editor: Time to end surprise medical billing

In the midst of a global pandemic, Americans are facing uncertain times and many health care concerns. Patients are not only concerned about illnesses, but health care bills as well. Often patients find themselves stuck with unexpected bills as a result of seeking emergency care out of network or when having a routine procedure involves an out-of-network provider.

These surprise medical bills are often in the thousands of dollars and can destroy a family and even leave them homeless.

In today’s world, this should not be the case. Families that pay for insurance should have peace of mind that one emergency won’t bury them under unexpected debt. Congress needs to act to protect patients and can do so by using a third-party arbitrator to help disputes. This type of program has been successful in states like New York and Texas.

Call your member of Congress and ask for a solution to surprise medical billing. Let’s put patients first.

Elaine Gowaty

Murrysville