The Behavioral Health Network and Directory Improvement Act (S. 5093), introduced last Congress by Senator Smith and Chairman Wyden, would require audits of plans' provider directories.

My view is that insurance companies have gotten a free pass for too long letting ghost networks run rampant.

It is a breach of contract for insurance companies to sell their plans worth thousands of dollars each month, while their product is unusable.

Our secret shoppers could get an appointment--now this is after people had paid vast sums--they could get an appointment only 18 percent of the time.

I believe, certainly, greater transparency, for example, ought to be an easy one for members of this committee to get around.

Too often Americans who need affordable mental health care hit a dead end when they try to find a provider that is covered by their insurance. Ghost networks mean that the lists of mental health providers in insurance company directories…

Ghost networks are an ongoing, persistent problem.

In my view, it's a breach of contract for insurance companies to sell their plans for thousands of dollars each month while their product is unusable due to a ghost network.

I look forward to working with Ranking Member Crapo and every member of the committee to get more of our hard work across the finish line so more families can get mental health care when they need it.

Chairman Wyden highlighted during the hearing, Senate Finance Committee staff operating as 'secret shoppers' could successfully make appointments only 18% of the time.

In a moment of national crisis about mental health, with the problems growing at such a rapid rate, the widespread existence of ghost networks is unacceptable.

I'm always an advocate for greater transparency that allows consumers and advocates to compare plans.

In a moment of national crisis about mental health, with the problem growing exponentially during the pandemic, the widespread existence of ghost networks is unacceptable.

In a moment of national crisis about mental health, with the problems growing at such a rapid rate, the widespread existence of ghost networks is unacceptable.

when insurance companies host ghost networks, they are selling health coverage under false pretenses.

In my view, it's a breach of contract for insurance companies to sell their plans for thousands of dollars each month while their product is unusable due to a ghost network.

In any other business, if a product or service does not meet expectations, consumers get a refund.

I believe, certainly, greater transparency, for example, ought to be an easy one for members of this committee to get around.