Senate Republicans have blocked an amendment from Jon Ossoff aimed at preventing insurance companies from denying or delaying medically necessary care.
The proposal was introduced during an overnight Senate budget debate, where Ossoff argued the measure would strengthen protections for patients facing coverage denials. Despite his push, the amendment was not adopted Thursday.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Ossoff cited several cases he said highlight the consequences of delayed or denied care, including a retired Georgia teacher whose cancer claims were denied after paying into a policy for years, and a Monroe County mother who had to fight for a liver transplant after being given months to live.
Ossoff has made the issue a central focus, warning that patients across the country — including many in Georgia — are being denied care despite paying high insurance premiums.
In a letter to Senate leaders, Ossoff criticized what he called the abuse of prior authorization practices by insurers, saying they have led to delays in life-saving treatment and medications.
A study from Johns Hopkins University found prior authorization requirements are linked to worsening health outcomes, including increased hospitalizations and lower survival rates. Additional data from KFF shows millions of claims are denied each year, with only a small fraction appealed.
Ossoff has called on lawmakers to pass legislation holding insurers accountable for improper denials, requiring faster authorization decisions, and limiting retroactive denials except in cases of fraud.
The Georgia senator has also launched an inquiry with Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, over insurance practices that contribute to delays in care, while backing bipartisan efforts to expand access and reduce barriers within the health care system.