The House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations subcommittee hearing focused on the problems of people who are underinsured and have debt or declared bankruptcy from medical expenses.

Members used their opening statements to not only talk about the topic of the hearing but also the overall debate on health care reform. In the first panel, policy holders spoke about their experiences with individual or employer-based plans which did not meet their expectations, especially in coverage provided to their children. The second panel focused on the scope of the underinsurance problem and on some programs that provide free health services to the uninsured and underinsured.