Lawmakers press Anthem over reversed anesthesia policy

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is furious, after health insurance company Anthem planned a policy change that would cut the length of time anesthesia can be covered during medical procedures.

"Can you imagine what that would mean? Nobody can afford anesthesia on their own. It's thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars," Hawley said.

The change would have hit patients in Missouri, Connecticut and New York. Anthem walked back the change after a wave of outrage, but Hawley and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) want more from the health insurance giant.

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"Anthem has scared a lot of people with these draconian restrictions on how long anesthesia service will be covered for surgeries," Blumenthal said.

They sent a letter to the CEO of Anthem's parent company, wanting to make sure it never moves forward with the policy.

"They may have said they're walking back, but we're demanding a commitment from them in writing.  In fact, they are disowning this policy, and they will not impose these draconian, arbitrary restrictions," Blumenthal said.

They're not alone. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) says some of these health insurance companies are trying to take advantage of patients.

"They are not supporting communities and families, and I have very serious concerns about them," Gillibrand said.

In a statement, Anthem's parent company, Elevance, said it "never planned – nor will we ever put a policy in place – to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services. We will work directly with the senators to set the record straight."