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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep.
John Yudichak |
  
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Consumer advocate for health insurance bill voted out of House Insurance Committee
HARRISBURG, June 17 – State Rep. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne, said a bill he sponsored that would establish an Office of Consumer Advocate for Health Insurance in Pennsylvania to help protect the rights of consumers in insurance-related matters was voted out of the House Insurance Committee today.
House Bill 1121 would establish the office as an independent organization within the Office of Attorney General. The Office of Consumer Advocate for Health Insurance would represent consumers’ interests on any health insurance matter before the state Department of Insurance or any other state agency or court. The advocate also would be responsible for identifying and tracking trends in the health insurance industry, recommending consumer protections, responding to consumer complaints and educating state residents about health insurance issues and practices.
The office would be similar to the one that exists within the Public Utility Commission, which has been regarded as effective in representing state residents’ concerns in matters involving public utilities in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has an Office of Consumer Advocate within the Insurance Department, but unlike the PUC consumer advocate, the Insurance Department’s consumer advocate currently does not have the authority or the budget to challenge or litigate insurance company rate increases on behalf of consumers.
"As the cost of health care increases, it’s more important than ever to have an agency to field complaints and work for fair coverage for consumers," Yudichak said. "This office can look into whether insurance companies are justified in raising their premiums and help save consumers money."
The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.
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