Liz Saville Roberts: “here is the issue: The ability of States to determine what is best for themselves. That is the issue. Sure, the issue is…”

“here is the issue: The ability of States to determine what is best for themselves. That is the issue. Sure, the issue is the Patients' Bill of Rights. But if Kansas or Nebraska or Maine or Massachusetts or Louisiana or Connecticut--as I look at Members in the Chamber--have an effective patient protection system that is working, why impose new Federal regulations that will force them to overhaul the system they have in place? The Collins-Nelson-Roberts, and others, amendment would simply give the State of Kansas and other States the flexibility to provide patient protection required under this bill in a way that best fits each State. For example, last year in Kansas we implemented a new law that assists patients who get into a dispute with their insurance company over the refusal to pay for medical procedures. It is a long process, but the independent reviewer will make a decision and reply within 30 business days after an appeal procedure. According to Kathleen Sebelius, our very good Kansas State Department of Insurance Commissioner, there were 22 cases that were closed last year; 12 decided in favor of the HMO and 10 overturned the decision made by the HMO. Now that more Kansans are aware of their ability to receive this external appeal and receive independent review, more cases have been filed with the Kansas Insurance Department.”