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File #: 241035    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: IN COUNCIL - FINAL PASSAGE
File created: 10/31/2024 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action:
Title: Calling on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to establish an Office of the Public Healthcare Advocate within the Office of the Attorney General.
Sponsors: Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Phillips, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Harrity, Councilmember O'Rourke, Councilmember Driscoll, Councilmember Squilla
Attachments: 1. Reolution No. 24103500
Title
Calling on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to establish an Office of the Public Healthcare Advocate within the Office of the Attorney General.

Body
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 t...

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