RELEASE: Congressman Cloud Introduces the Ending Patient Runaround Act

Resources / Press Share on RELEASE: Congressman Cloud Introduces the Ending Patient Runaround Act Oct 26, 2026 Press WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27) introduced the Ending Patient Runaround Act to return transparency and patient rights to our healthcare systems, giving Americans more control over their coverage. Health insurance was created to protect Americans from financial debt, but Americans are facing opaque billing, restrictions on networks, and unwarranted changes to their coverage after enrollment. Individuals often can’t even reach a representative that speaks English when they call for help. The Ending Patient Runaround Act addresses these issues to protect Americans from hidden costs and surprise bills. Key provisions of the bill include: Creating Universal Savings Accounts, incorporating legislation originally introduced by Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), allowing Americans to save up to $10,000 a year ($20,000 for married couples) Requiring insurance companies to have 30 days to approve or deny a treatment request. Prohibiting insurance companies from cutting coverage for a drug or service after an individual has already enrolled. Requiring insurers to disclose billing codes, reimbursable amounts, and the full list of covered services and procedures before a person enrolls. Requiring insurers to reimburse out-of-network providers the same amount as in-network providers for the same procedure. Renaming catastrophic plans as “Basic Plans,” opening them to purchasers of any age, and allowing them to be sold on the ACA Exchange. Insurance providers must assign you a single customer service point of contact based in the United States and proficient in English. Requires insurers to pay back overbilled patients more than they were overcharged. “Health insurance exists to protect families and make healthcare more affordable, yet, Americans can’t even get English-speaking representatives on the phone,” said Rep. Cloud . “The Ending Patient Runaround Act puts patients first, with transparency even before they sign up.” concluded Rep. Cloud. Healthcare should work for the people who depend on it, not the insurance companies that profit from it. Share on