John,

One of the craziest things about the way our health care system “works” is that even if you have good insurance, and even if you go to an “in-network hospital,” you often wind up on the hook for thousands of dollars of medical bills, leaving you wondering why you bother paying massive health insurance premiums month after month.

These surprise medical bills must end.

Right now, there’s legislation in Congress―with bipartisan support―that could be voted on this month. The only thing stopping a vote are bought-and-paid-for politicians who bend to the will of Big Insurance and for-profit hospital lobbyists. It’s up to us to push Congress to act.

Seniors and people with disabilities are more likely to use health care services and much more likely to have limited financial flexibility. The little money they do have is usually set aside for retirement.

So, when surprise medical bills arrive in their mailbox, they are more likely to face financial hardship, which often includes raiding retirement accounts, and sometimes filing for bankruptcy.

Add your name! Tell Congress: End surprise medical bills this year. Social Security Works is fighting alongside a coalition of partners to demand Congress act before the end of the year.

Our last chance to pass legislation to end surprise medical billing in 2019 is in an upcoming funding bill expected to be voted on this week.

Despite the deep political divides in our country, there is bipartisan support for legislation that would a) ban surprise balance billing; b) contain total costs for everyone; and c) ensure comprehensive protection nationwide.

We realize this legislation won’t fix all the problems plaguing our broken health care system. We need major reforms to end the profits-over-patients business model. That’s why Social Security Works fights everyday for Medicare for All. But there are things Congress can do right now that will help limit the damage being done by Big Insurance.

Enough is enough! Together, let’s tell Congress to end surprise medical bills this year.

We know that Medicare for All is the ultimate solution to fighting back against the greed and corruption of Big Insurance and Big Pharma. Medicare for All will help seniors by expanding coverage to include dental, hearing, vision and long-term care. And it will eliminate co-pays and premiums. It will also end the uncertainty surrounding the costs patients are forced to pay for essential health care.

In the meantime, while we grow our movement for Medicare for All, we demand Congress act this week to end surprise medical bills.

Thank you,

Michael Phelan
Social Security Works