July 21, 2022

New Democrat Coalition Health Care Task Force Endorses 14 Bills to Lower Out of Pocket Costs, Improve Health Care, and Strengthen the Affordable Care Act

Protecting and Expanding Access to Affordable, Quality Health Care is a Key Part of the New Dem Action Plan to Fight Inflation

Today the New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Health Care Task Force, led by Co-Chairs Kim Schrier (WA-08) and Terri Sewell (AL-07), endorsed a slate of 14 health care bills focused on lowering health care costs, improving health care delivery, and strengthening the Affordable Care Act. The bills would also address the health care workforce shortage, increase health equity, streamline care, and increase transparency. 

Protecting and expanding access to quality, affordable health care has always been a top priority of the NDC, and this health care slate is central to the New Dems’ Affordability Agenda, which focuses on lowering costs for Americans on necessities like health care. New Dems called on Congress to act on an Affordability Agenda in their Action Plan to Fight Inflation, a comprehensive policy roadmap for lowering costs and fighting inflation in the short- and long-terms. New Dems will work to get these bills across the finish line and deliver on these priorities in the remaining legislative weeks. 

“Expanding access to quality, affordable health care remains a top priority for me and my colleagues in the New Democrat Coalition,” said NDC Health Care Task Force Co-Chair Terri Sewell (AL-07). “As Co-Chair of the New Dem Health Care Task Force, I’m so proud to join my colleagues in endorsing this slate of 14 critical health care bills that will strengthen our health care system and lower costs for families. I’m also proud to have two of my bills included, which would expand access to groundbreaking cancer detection screenings and address our nation’s urgent physician shortage. My colleagues and I will continue pushing to get these bills across the finish line!”  

“As a doctor, I know that one of the biggest hurdles that keeps patients from accessing care is cost. Every American deserves access to affordable coverage and care,” said NDC Health Care Task Force Co-Chair Kim Schrier (WA-08). “I'm proud to lead the New Dems Health Care Task Force in endorsing these 14 commonsense bills, including my bill to lower deductibles and expand cost-savings to consumers in the federal marketplace. These bills will help to reduce costs, increase coverage, and build on the Affordable Care Act.”

“New Dems are committed to ensuring that every American has access to affordable and quality care when they need it,” said NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01). “That’s why the NDC Health Care Task Force has endorsed bills to lower out of pocket costs, improve care delivery, and expand health care coverage. I’m grateful that my bill to reform prior authorization so seniors have better care was included in this package. These bills will not only improve Americans’ health care, but they will also help Americans’ pocketbooks. We will continue executing our Action Plan to Fight Inflation and pushing an affordability agenda in Congress to lower American’s living costs.” 

 

New Democrat Coalition Health Care Task Force Endorsement Slate

Lowering Cost, Increasing Coverage, and Strengthening the ACA 

  • H.R. 4669 - Capping Costs for Consumers Act of 2021, Reps. Kim Schrier (WA-08), Terri Sewell (AL-07), and Kathy Manning (NC-06)
  • H.R. 4595 – Medicaid Saves Lives Act, Reps. Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07), Kathy Manning (NC-06), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Marc Veasey (TX-33), and Deborah Ross (NC-02)
  • H.R. 369 - Health Care Affordability Act of 2021, Reps. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01)
  • H.R. 1878 - State Health Care Premium Reduction Act, Reps. Angie Craig (MN-02) and Scott Peters (CA-52)

Streamlining Care and Increase Transparency 

  • H.R. 3173 - Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2021, Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Ami Bera (CA-07)
  • H.R. 6308 - ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2021, Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Kathleen Rice (NY-04)
  • H.R. 7529 - Plain Prescription Prices Act, Reps. Nikema Williams (GA-05) and Angie Craig (MN-02)

Advancing the Biden Unity Agenda

  • H.R. 475 – Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act of 2021, Rep. Elaine Luria (VA-02)
  • H.R. 1946 - The Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, Reps. Terri Sewell (AL-07) and Raul Ruiz (CA-36)

Addressing the Workforce Shortage

  • H.R. 2256 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2021, Reps. Terri Sewell (AL-07) and Tom Suozzi (NY-03)
  • H.R. 3297 - Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Act, Rep. Jason Crow (CO-06)

Increasing Health Equity

  • H.R.5742 - Equal Health Care for All Act, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (CA-28)
  • H.R. 3434 - Territories Health Equity Act, Del. Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL)
  • H.R. 6612 - Advancing Maternal Health Equity Under Medicaid Act, Rep. Kathy Manning (NC-06) 

This slate of health care bills builds on New Dems’ previous endorsement of bipartisan bills to address mental health and substance use disorders. New Dems pushed for this critical legislation to provide Americans with the mental health care they need and deserve, and 11 endorsed bills passed the House last month. 

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