Washington, D.C. – As a growing number of stakeholders urge congressional leaders to immediately take action to end surprise medical billing, the Coalition Against Surprise Medical Billing welcomed 21 regional business groups to its expanding membership today. New members include:

  • Central Penn Business Group on Health
  • Dallas-Fort Worth Business Group on Health
  • Economic Alliance for Michigan
  • Employers’ Advanced Cooperative on Healthcare
  • Florida Alliance for Healthcare Value
  • Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health
  • HealthCare 21 Business Coalition
  • Houston Business Coalition on Health
  • Kansas Business Group on Health
  • Memphis Business Group on Health
  • Midwest Business Group on Health
  • Nevada Business Group on Health
  • North Carolina Business Group on Health
  • Pittsburgh Business Group on Health
  • Rhode Island Business Group on Health
  • Silicon Valley Employers Forum
  • St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition
  • Texas Business Group on Health
  • The Alliance
  • WellOK/Northeastern Oklahoma Business Coalition on Health
  • Wyoming Business Coalition on Health

“As the leading voice representing those organizations and employers on the frontlines of purchasing decisions, we are proud to support the Coalition’s efforts to protect patients and employees,” said Michael Thompson, president and CEO of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions.  “Solving this major affordability challenge can only be accomplished with meaningful market-based reforms, including a fair, local benchmark that addresses both the surprise and the bankrupting charges from these bills.”

The new partners join national employer groups, labor unions, health insurance providers and other health organizations calling on Congress to reject arbitration proposals and advance a local, market-based benchmark to protect patients from private equity groups that continue exploit patients at their most vulnerable and drive up costs for American employers, workers and their families.

A recent poll found that more than 70% of voters would be frustrated if Congress did not pass legislation to regulate the role of private equity companies in surprise medical billing. At the same time, private equity firms are working to stop congressional attempts to eliminate surprise billing while protecting their profits. Now more than ever, the choice is clear: if Congress fails to act, they’ll be choosing private equity over patients.