Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) President and CEO Chip Kahn released the following statement after the House passed the bipartisan Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act:

“Democrats and Republicans alike have spoken – Medicare Advantage (MA) health plan prior authorization is broken and threatens necessary patient care. We applaud the House’s passage of a bipartisan bill aimed at reducing unnecessary delays in patient care.

We commend Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Ami Bera (D-CA), and Larry Bucshon (R-IN) – along with the more than 300 co-sponsors of their bill – for shepherding this legislation through the House. Congress clearly recognizes that health care providers and clinicians – not insurance companies – are best equipped treat patients in real time.

With overwhelming bipartisan support for this bill, we urge the Senate to follow suit and act on its bipartisan companion legislation before the end of the year.”