WHEREAS, Philadelphia residents have a right to receive quality healthcare, but are sometimes prevented from receiving needed care due to wrongful denial of insurance claims; and
WHEREAS, Overbilling by insurance can lead to medical debt and financial hardship for patients at a time that they are already suffering. Some residents receive inadequate care from nursing homes or medical providers. Poor care quality, delays in healthcare provision and denials of coverage are detrimental to the public health of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Healthcare companies make decisions that impact people across Philadelphia, including access to care. The closing of Hahnemann hospital in recent years is a prime example of the lack of transparency, accessibility, or community-rooted decision-making in issues that greatly affect the public health; and
WHEREAS, Challenging healthcare company decisions is a difficult, opaque, and inaccessible process that can drain patients of resources. The appeals processes frequently fail to adequately address patient concerns; and
WHEREAS, A Public Healthcare Advocate placed within the Office of the Attorney General would be empowered to help people across the Commonwealth stand up for their healthcare rights and stand against big insurance companies that unfairly delay or deprive patients of healthcare coverage. Such an Advocate could help recover millions of dollars for patients while improving access to and quality of healthcare in Pennsylvania; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby calls on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to establish an Office of the Public Healthcare Advocate within the Office of the Attorney General.
FURTHER RESOLVED,
That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Put People First! PA as an expression of the gratitude and admiration of the Council of the City of Philadelphia.
End