Press Releases

Education and Labor Committee Republican Leader Virginia Foxx (R-NC) spoke on the House floor to condemn the Biden administration’s attacks on employer-sponsored health insurance.
 
Republican Leader Foxx’s Remarks:
 
“Employer-sponsored coverage is the bedrock of our health care system and it is under attack by President Biden and the Democrat party.

“Despite its name, the Affordable Care Act did nothing to make health care coverage more affordable. In fact, it did the opposite. Health coverage is now more expensive than ever.

“In 2008, before the passage of Obamacare, the average annual premium for a family was $12,680. Today, it is $22,460.

“To make matters worse, experts say that 2022 is the calm before the storm, and employers are bracing for drastic cost increases in 2023 due to inflation, health worker staff shortages, and supply chain issues.

“It’s imperative that Congress address the affordability, transparency, and accessibility of health care. I have said this repeatedly—I will not stand by while the federal government burdens Americans with heavy-handed policies.  
 
“Now, Democrats are using their self-made affordability crisis to move all Americans to Medicare for All.
 
“The Biden administration has continued its march towards total government control by illegally expanding Obamacare’s subsidies.
 
“Expanding Obamacare and its unfettered spending continues to drive inflation, add billions of dollars to the federal deficit, and make health insurance less affordable.
 
“Despite the pandemic being over, President Biden has also failed to end the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), prolonging Americans’ dependence on the federal government.

“The American people deserve to know the Biden administration’s plans to wind down the PHE and transition the procurement and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and testing to the commercial market quickly.

“Furthermore, it’s imperative that we continue to protect access to telehealth as part of this offramp plan.

“The COVID-19 pandemic revealed that virtual visits can fill glaring gaps in health care access nationwide.

“Congress allowed coverage for pre-deductible virtual visits for the duration of the PHE. Around 90 percent of high deductible health plans took advantage of that provision this year, up from approximately 80 percent in 2021 and 60 percent in April 2020. This is clear proof that Americans need, and are making use of, increased access to telehealth.  

“President Biden and Democrats may not have a plan to address these critical issues, but Republicans do.
 
“For the past year, House Republicans have worked to create the Commitment to America, which includes policies to strengthen employer-sponsored coverage by increasing competition in the health care market, promoting price transparency, and lowering health coverage costs.

“Republicans also have plans to help employers lower costs by expanding access to Association Health Plans and tax-advantaged health savings accounts. We plan to remove barriers that currently prevent employers from participating in advanced payment initiatives. We will reduce the administrative burden on business owners created by outdated Obamacare paperwork mandates. And we will promote policies that transfer control of health spending back to the patient.

“We must shed the layers of bureaucracy blocking Americans from understanding the true cost of their care. This includes codifying the Trump administration’s price-transparency rule and building on the price transparency provision in the No Surprises Act.  
 
“Time and time again, the Biden administration has failed to make the best use of taxpayer dollars. Democrats champion the idea of ‘health for all’ and ‘universal coverage,’ but seriously fail to consider the adverse impact their policies have on inflation, costs, access, and quality.

“By contrast, Republicans will build on the bedrock of our health care system—employer sponsored coverage. We are committed to making employer sponsored health care and the health care market more affordable, transparent, and competitive.”
 
Watch the full video here.  

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