MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release: Thurs., March 29, 2012
Contact: Jenny Davies-Schley, 720-296-9545 and jenny@progressive-promotions.com
DENVER – In a victory for transparency for uninsured patients, the House Health & Environment Committee unanimously passed the Hospital Payment Assistance bill today. The bill would ensure that hospitals present their discount and charity care policies to uninsured patients while still receiving treatment in the facility, attached to every bill and invoice and prominently displayed on the hospital website.
“Because uninsured Coloradans lack the bargaining power of insurance companies, they are charged twice, three times, even four times as much as their insured neighbors,” said Colorado Consumer Health Initiative’s director of strategic engagement Serena Woods. “The bill’s provisions to give uninsured patients the discount information will give a great deal of peace of mind to thousands of Colorado families who want to responsibly pay their hospital bills.”
The bill will advance to the House floor for debate and a vote. It is supported by consumer groups like the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, as well as the Colorado Hospitals Associations.
The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative represents 50+ Colorado health organizations with more than 500,000 health care consumer members, advocating for affordable, accessible, quality health care for all Coloradans.
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