Lawmakers Question Big Insurers on Rising Health Care Costs: What It Means for Patients

BenefitsPRO – Online Article – January 22, 2026

Health care costs in the U.S. are back in the national spotlight — and this time, frustration is bipartisan.

At a recent hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s health subcommittee, lawmakers questioned the CEOs of the nation’s largest health insurers about:

• Rising premiums

• Denied care

• Administrative barriers

• The growing burden on patients and employers

The takeaway was simple: the system isn’t working the way it should.

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Congress Presses Insurers on Cost and Access

Executives from major insurers — including UnitedHealth Group, Elevance Health, Cigna, and CVS Health — were asked to explain rising costs and coverage denials.

Lawmakers focused on:

1. Skyrocketing premiums
2. Profits and executive pay
3. Prior authorization delays
4. Patients unable to afford medications

One figure stood out: a review found UnitedHealth rejected roughly one-third of in-network prior authorization requests, leaving many patients and providers stuck waiting for approvals.

As one lawmaker noted, patients with serious illness shouldn’t spend their final days fighting insurers on the phone.

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The Human Cost Behind the Numbers

Members of Congress shared stories familiar to many providers and families.

• Pharmacists forced to tell patients life-saving drugs aren’t covered

• Families struggling to afford asthma inhalers

• Patients delaying care due to costs

Meanwhile, insurers reported:

• $10 trillion in revenue over a decade

• $543 billion in profits

• $220 billion in patient medical debt

This gap between profitability and access is fueling concern that cost control may be outweighing patient care.

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Insurers’ Response

Insurance leaders argued they are not the root cause of high costs. They say insurance prices reflect overall health care spending.

They proposed solutions like:

• More price transparency

• Standardized care pricing across locations

• Better electronic health record coordination

• Expanded Health Savings Account (HSA) use

Some also warned that patient-protection laws are sometimes misused in ways that increase costs.

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Why This Matters for Injured Workers

For workers’ compensation patients and those with chronic conditions, these debates are not theoretical.

They determine whether medications are:

• Approved

• Delayed

• Or denied altogether

At RescueMeds, we see how delays affect recovery:

• Delayed approvals slow healing

• Denials create financial stress

• Providers spend time on paperwork instead of care

When insurers “manage utilization,” patients often experience missed doses and treatment interruptions.

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A Patient-First Approach to Medication Access

The hearings highlight a growing truth: patients need support navigating insurance systems.

RescueMeds helps injured workers:

• Navigate prescription rules
• Reduce delays
• Coordinate documentation
• Receive medications on time

Access to medication shouldn’t depend on how long someone can fight with an insurance company.

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Final Takeaway

Congressional scrutiny is increasing because patients are demanding accountability.

While reforms take time, having a trusted partner can make a real difference.

RescueMeds helps patients focus on healing — not fighting paperwork.