CT Congressman Wants Legal Support For Patients Denied Health Coverage

Americans denied medical treatment coverage by health insurance companies would have increased access to legal support, under the CLINIC Assistance Act introduced by U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd.

The act would establish a grant program through the Department of Labor to help law schools set up consumer advocate programs where patients can receive no-cost legal assistance with their insurance claim appeal.

"One of the disturbing trends in health care is the rising number of claim denials that patients seeking urgently needed medically necessary treatment are left with," Courtney said. "By establishing a federal grant program through the Department of Labor to support law clinics that specialize in navigating the complex appeals process, we can provide American patients, at no expense, with the expertise – and people – on their side when they're wrongfully denied coverage."

Courtney introduced the bill on the same day state Rep. Jeff Gordon, R-Woodstock, issued a statement decrying a Stafford Springs man being denied coverage for a transplant.

"While his physicians have deemed this procedure lifesaving, the insurance company continues to stand in the way," Gordon said. "That is wrong."

Gordon went on to say that no family should have to fight an insurance company while fighting for a loved one's life and said he would work to reverse the decision and bring public attention to the case.

"Healthcare decisions should be made by doctors and patients, not by insurance companies," he said.