California Gov. Schwarzenegger Applauds Actions to Protect Consumers from Unfair Medical Bills

August, 2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement in support of his Department of Managed Health Care's new regulations that make balance billing, which is an anti-consumer tactic that puts patients in the middle of payment disputes between health plans and providers, an unfair billing practice:

"Putting consumers in the middle of billing disputes between providers and health plans is a terrible and unfair practice that must be stopped. It places inappropriate medical costs squarely on consumers' shoulders and increases health care costs for everyone-further illustrating our broken health care system and the need for comprehensive reform.

"With these new regulations, my administration is protecting Californians who have done the right thing by obtaining insurance, but then later receive crushing medical bills that they should not owe. These new regulations will offer consumers a place to seek help when they are caught in the middle and address the root cause of balance billing. Of course, I continue to also call on the legislature to pass legislation that will prohibit this anti-consumer practice altogether."

Source: California Governor