Healthcare Hero Award Presented to Representative Joe Courtney (D-2nd-CT) and Representative Allyson Schwartz (D-13th-PA) for Their Efforts in the Elimination of Pre-Existing Condition Coverage Limitations

Annual Award Presented by Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) for Dedication to Promoting Healthcare Access for All

WASHINGTON, July 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) – a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability relative to their diagnoses of life threatening or debilitating diseases – presented The Healthcare Hero Award to Representatives Joe Courtney (D-2nd-CT) and Allyson Schwartz (D-13th-PA) during the organization's 11th Annual Patient Congress Dinner Symposium last night in Washington, D.C. The Healthcare Hero Award is an annual award usually presented to a single individual who has shown through his or her life's work, a commitment and dedication to improving and enhancing the United States healthcare system and has achieved measurable results which is evidenced through the improvement of access to healthcare for all Americans.

This year, the 2010 Healthcare Hero Award was presented to two brave and committed Members of Congress who supported by the NPAF in 2006, sponsored the original pieces of legislation that called for the elimination of pre-existing condition coverage limitations within health insurance policies. The language from these stand-alone bills ultimately became an integral part of the healthcare reform legislation that was passed earlier this year.

"The Patient Advocate Foundation provides invaluable assistance to men and women struggling within the insurance system," said Congressman Courtney. "Every day, they provide a lifeline to Americans who have no place else to turn, and help them in ways no one else can. Receiving this honor from the Patient Advocate Foundation is a tremendous honor -- a recognition I will not soon forget."

"During the health care debate, no single issue was more heartbreaking to hear about than Americans with pre-existing conditions being denied access to the coverage they need," Schwartz said. "I am proud to have worked with an organization like the Patient Advocate Foundation to put an end to this despicable practice once and for all. Parents can sleep better at night now knowing their children will have access to the care and coverage they need."

"Representatives Courtney and Schwartz took important steps by introducing legislation intended to protect all patients, particularly those with chronic illness that are at risk of having no health insurance," said Nancy Davenport-Ennis, CEO of PAF. "The elimination of pre-existing condition coverage limitations in health plans will positively impact access to healthcare coverage for millions, and for that, we are grateful."

PAF was founded on the principle that healthcare is a basic human need and shared social responsibility, and is appreciative that the health care reform legislation passed this year addressed the elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions in addition to the barrier that annual and lifetime coverage limits present for patients, and the imposed cap on out-of-pocket expenses for all patients.  These important steps will reduce the number of Americans faced with medical debt and bankruptcy, and together with the enhanced affordability provisions added in the reconciliation part of this package, makes great progress toward providing Americans with truly affordable access to health insurance coverage.

Last year alone, PAF received in excess of 4 million contacts from patients, family members and care professionals requesting access to care information and assistance.  Of those contacts, PAF's professional senior case managers successfully resolved 55,384 cases for patients that required direct, sustained mediation and arbitration services.  PAF services are available to all patients, patient families and medical professionals and offer a variety of patient assistance programs including Co-Pay Relief and Colorectal CareLine, as well as insurance claims intervention, job retention services and debt crisis management. For more information about Patient Advocate Foundation, please visit www.patientadvocate.org or call toll-free (800) 532-5274. 

Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability.

SOURCE Patient Advocate Foundation