Becerra Pressed to Improve Surprise Billing Dispute Process

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra faced criticism on Capitol Hill over the Biden administration’s handling of a surprise billing dispute process that largely favors health-care providers over insurers.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, pressed Becerra Wednesday on the government’s implementation of a dispute resolution process for insurers and providers to haggle over who covers surprise medical bills. Foxx criticized the process as “mired in litigation, delays and faulty implementation,” and pointed to research that she said suggests it will raise costs and premiums.

Foxx’s remarks came as part of ...