James M. Jeffords: “I am here today to join in introducing the Health Care Consumer Assistance Act. This important bill has been crafted to…”

“I am here today to join in introducing the Health Care Consumer Assistance Act. This important bill has been crafted to help Americans navigate our increasingly complex and ever changing health care system. I want to recognize the leadership of Senator Jack Reed in bringing this issue forward for consideration. Americans need and want help with their health care. In a recent national survey, Consumers Report and the Kaiser Family Foundation learned that half of all managed care plan members have had a problem with their plan in the last year. The vast majority of those "problems" were minor and successfully resolved in a very short period of time. However, a large number of Americans report significant financial consequences, lost time at work, or actual health declines as a result of these disputes. The same survey reports that 84% of Americans want "an independent place to turn for help" with their health care rights. In fact, Americans prefer, by a wide margin, an independent source of help, as provided for in the Health Care Consumer Assistance Act, rather than a right to sue.”