E&W Blog

The Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to improve our nation’s health care have centered around one overarching goal – empowering patients. Last week, President Trump announced a rule that includes pro-patient, pro-consumer provisions that will provide increased price transparency in our health care system.
 
Last week’s rule, issued by the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of the Treasury, requires health insurance companies to disclose the estimated cost a patient will have to pay, prior to that patient receiving care. By promoting greater price transparency, American families will have access to the necessary information to make informed health care decisions that are best for them.
 
House Republicans continue to fight to increase transparency for patients too. Earlier this year, the Committee on Education and Labor marked up H.R. 5800, the Ban Surprise Billing Act. This bipartisan legislation eliminates the harmful practice of surprise medical billing which has financially crippled thousands of American families. In addition, H.R. 5800 helps increase health care transparency by:

• Requiring health plans to maintain up-to-date and accurate provider directories;
• Improving consumer access to information regarding expected cost-sharing; and
• Improving transparency regarding in-network and out-of-network deductibles and out-of-pocket limitations. 

Additionally, Republican Leader of the Education and Labor Committee, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), joined Republican Leaders from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee in introducing H.R. 19, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act. In addition to lowering drug costs for Americans without limiting access to cures, H.R. 19 strengthens transparency and accountability in health care. The transparency highlights of the bill:

• Provide the first-ever out-of-pocket cap for seniors in the Medicare Part D program;
• Cap the cost of insulin for seniors in the Medicare Part D program; and
• Increase transparency and removes uncertainty at the pharmacy counter.

Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi refuses to bring this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to the House floor, prioritizing politics over the needs of American families.
 
Bottom line, workers and families deserve certainty about their health care costs and coverage. President Trump and Republicans in Congress understand that in order to provide certainty, we must first provide transparency and accountability. President Trump and Congressional Republicans will continue to support initiatives that will empower Americans to make knowledgeable health care decisions.