Perspective               

More Consumer Representation Needed on HHS's New Regulatory Reform Committee

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson has created an Advisory Committee on Regulatory Reform to help streamline government health care regulations. Consumer health advocates are concerned, however, because there are only three consumer representatives on the 27-member committee. The other 24 members represent health care providers, insurers, and the government. Advocates say the deck is stacked.

Consumer health advocates are worried that without proper consumer representation on the committee, regulations that are meant to protect consumers and promote the accountability of hospitals and doctors are at risk of being thrown away. Without a strong consumer voice, the committee will not be able to carry out its stated responsibility, which is to make sure that regulations support access to quality health care. The consumer advocates explain that regulations that may seem "burdensome" for health care providers protect consumers, such as regulations concerning requirements for written notices, quality assurance and oversight, and appeal rights.

Consumer health advocates are urging Secretary Thompson to put more consumer representatives on the Advisory Committee on Regulatory Reform and they also asked all 27 of the committee's members to make expanding consumer representation their first order of business.

The health consumer advocates stress that since the regulations can potentially affect Medicare, Medicaid, and the State's Child Health Insurance Program, the committee should be expanded to include representatives of: people with low incomes, including seniors; children; pregnant women; single mothers and fathers; people with disabilities; and people with limited English proficiency.

_________________________________