Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), vice-chairman of  the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations,Th today issued the following opening statement, as prepared for delivery, at a hearing titled, “PPACA Enrollment and the Insurance Industry”:

“Thank you for coming to testify today. We are all here because the White House has continued to block the Congress from important details about the 8 million enrollees in the Affordable Care Act. 

“From our report last week, less than three quarters of people enrolled in the Federal Marketplace paid their first month’s premium. 

“As a physician, this worries me. 

“The 90-day rule – a regulation mandated by the Obama Administration – says that when people can’t continue to pay their premiums, the insurers must pick up the tab for the next 30 days. 

“But after that, who covers the next 60 days before the enrollee is dropped? I fear that it’s the doctors who will be on the hook. 

“So this is what I want to know from you all today: What happens when people can’t keep paying their bills? Are physicians and hospitals responsible for those costs? 

“I know I speak for doctors nation-wide when I say this is a major concern. I hope you will address this issue today.”

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