The AAMC submitted a statement for the record (PDF) to the House Education and Workforce Committee ahead of its Sept. 11 markup of six bills. The AAMC’s statement raised opposition to two pieces of legislation in the markup, the Healthy Competition for Better Care Act (H.R. 3120), which contains AAMC-opposed provisions that would limit the ability of hospitals to negotiate fair contract with insurers, and the Transparent Telehealth Bills Act of 2024 (H.R. 9457), which would ban facility fees for telehealth services. The statement explained how the proposed restrictions on contract negotiations stand to disadvantage hospitals, while insurers continue to make record profits and further consolidate their market share. The AAMC also noted that facility fees are a key component to covering the overheard costs associated with providing telehealth.
The committee advanced H.R. 3120 by voice vote. H.R. 9457 was advanced in a unanimous vote after it amended the legislation to expand the ban on facility fees beyond just telehealth.
- Washington Highlights