NEWS: Senator Blunt Rochester, Representative Ross Introduce Legislation to Protect Seniors from Surprise Healthcare Bills

U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and Representative Deborah Ross (D-N.C.-02), today introduced the bicameral No Surprise Bills for Seniors Act. Medicare beneficiaries—many of whom enroll in zero- or low-cost premiums—rely on prescription drug coverage to access lifesaving medications. However, recipients can lose coverage if they unintentionally fail to pay surprise monthly premium increases, regardless of the amount. The No Surprise Bills for Seniors Act would create broader protections for Medicare Enrollees, keeping seniors and individuals with disabilities from losing prescription drug coverage due to accidental payment failures. “Missing a payment on a surprise monthly premium increase—which can be as little as one dollar—shouldn’t cost someone their access to medication. Yet for thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, it’s a risk they have to take to afford their health care,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “I’m proud to introduce the No Surprise Bills for Seniors Act with Congresswoman Ross to bring clarity to our complex healthcare system and help seniors and individuals with disabilities maintain access to their medications.” “No senior should lose access to the medications they depend on because their premium increased –often by only a few dollars– without them realizing it,” said Congresswoman Deborah Ross . “If a senior is able and willing to pay what they owe, they should not be forced to go months without life-saving medication because of bureaucratic changes within the Medicare system. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester to give Medicare the flexibility it needs to make sure a surprise bill does not result in the loss of health care for our seniors.” The No Surprise Bills for Seniors Act would give the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to establish protections for Medicare enrollees who lost healthcare coverage after failing to pay unclear or unknown premium increases. The full bill text of the No Surprise Bills for Seniors can be found HERE , and a one-pager can be found HERE .