Bill proposes health insurance advocate

Insurance companies would fund the budget for an Office of Consumer Advocate for Health Insurance, if proposed legislation sponsored by state Rep. John Yudichak, D-Nanticoke, is enacted.

The bill would create the office and give it a $2 million budget, which would be funded by insurance companies based on their portion of the total insurance premiums collected in the state.

The health care consumer advocate would act much the same as the state consumer advocate and would be housed in the same office. The position would be appointed by the state Attorney General.

In explaining his justification for the office, Yudichak invoked points often associated with another industry that regularly confuses and frustrates consumers: electricity.

“The health-care system is broken and the issues surrounding health-care insurance are complex,” he said in an e-mail. “The special-interest groups fighting for the status quo are well-financed and well-represented. I believe it is time to empower Pennsylvania consumers and give them a strong voice in the health-care debate.”

Industry members have previously said the office is redundant because the state has an Office of Consumer Liaison housed in the Department of Insurance. However, legislators supporting the bill point out the liaison educates citizens and doesn’t have the authority to advocate for consumers.