On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives held two hearings with potential implications for the health insurance marketplace: the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on “Medicare for All,” and the Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on surprise medical billing.

“Pathways to Universal Health Coverage” was the third House hearing this year to cover “Medicare for All.” Of note, this was the first time a committee with jurisdiction over health care held a hearing that included “Medicare for All.” The hearing also covered other ideas to expand health insurance coverage, including Medicare buy-in and the public option.

“No More Surprises: Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills” focused on a discussion draft of the “No Surprises Act,” legislation introduced by Chairman Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey) and Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-Oregon). The legislation would prohibit balance billing and limit patient cost-sharing to the in-network amount for emergency services, and services provided by certain facility-based providers in the private insurance market.

The legislation would resolve the payment dispute between providers and insurers by requiring that the insurer pay at minimum the median in-network negotiated rate for the service in the geographic area where the service is delivered.

Wyatt Stewart is Big “I” senior director of federal government affairs.