AAMC Urges Health Insurance Reforms to Enhance Patient Access

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) recently presented significant health insurance concerns to the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee and the House Ways and Means Committee. These discussions coincided with January 22 hearings focusing on insurance affordability and the practices of leading insurers like UnitedHealthcare, CVS Health/Aetna, Elevance Health, Cigna, and Humana. This initiative marks the start of a comprehensive evaluation of the healthcare sector's current state.

Key Issues in Health Insurance

The hearings highlighted several core issues affecting both patients and healthcare providers, such as AI-driven prior authorization delays, payment denials, and restricted networks. The AAMC pointed out how these challenges obstruct access to critical medical services and place undue burdens on academic health systems, especially those operating with financial constraints. These obstacles not only delay patient care but also increase the regulatory compliance requirements for hospitals and medical professionals.

AAMC's Advocacy for Legislative Change

In its formal statement, the AAMC urged for legislative measures to impact the industry meaningfully. Their recommendations included stricter oversight of prior authorization processes, establishing payment timeliness standards, and enhancing transparency within Medicare Advantage plans. These changes, they argue, are crucial for reducing the administrative load on healthcare providers, improving regulatory compliance, and ensuring patient access to necessary care.