U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean hosted the third event in his Path to Consensus Series on May 15, focusing on healthcare billing and prior authorization delays. The summit brought together experts to discuss ways to improve transparency, speed up approvals, and make reforms that put patients first while lowering costs.
Bean said, “Surprise healthcare billing and prior authorization delays are major issues in healthcare—this is where the system breaks down for too many families. If we’re serious about transforming America’s healthcare system, we must have honest conversations about what is and isn’t working. That starts with tackling the payment disputes that stall treatment and ensuring that patients, not bureaucracy, come first.”
The panels at the event examined ongoing challenges such as confusing billing practices, administrative burdens for providers, and delays caused by prior authorization requirements. These issues often lead to frustration among both patients and providers.
The Path to Consensus Series stands out because it brings together a wide range of participants including representatives from healthcare companies, industry groups, provider organizations, and policy reformers. This diversity of perspectives aims to find common ground on structural problems that contribute to rising healthcare costs.
Panel discussions included topics like arbitration under the No Surprises Act as well as balancing clinical judgment with cost controls from hospital and insurer viewpoints. Panelists included Shayne Woods (Alpine Group), Ariel Bayewitz (Elevance Health), Garrett Hohimer (Business Group on Health), Patrick Velliky (HaloMD), Dr. Adam Bruggeman (IndeMed), Paul Hartman (bioMérieux), Jeanette Thornton (America’s Health Insurance Plans), and Mary Mayhew (Florida Hospital Association).
Aaron Bean is currently serving in the U.S. Congress representing Florida’s 4th district after replacing John Rutherford in 2023; he previously served in both chambers of Florida’s legislature according to Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Born in Fernandina Beach in 1967, Bean continues to reside there today according to Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. He graduated from Jacksonville University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1989 according to Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
