House Republicans Pass Reforms to Lower Health Care Premiums and Restore Accountability

WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) released the following statement after Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act-a targeted package of reforms designed to lower premium costs for all Americans, expand access to affordable coverage, and increase transparency to drive down prices across the health care system.

"The law Democrats promised would make health care affordable did the opposite. Thanks to the (un)Affordable Care Act, premiums and deductibles have doubled, choices have decreased, all while 20 percent of claims are denied. Americans are paying more for less. The COVID-era expansion of Obamacare subsidies only made matters worse, driving up costs and padding the pockets of insurers and middlemen.

"House Republicans are choosing a better path. The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act is an important first step to actually reducing the cost of health care-lowering Obamacare premiums by 11 percent and saving taxpayers approximately $36 billion.?

"Instead of doubling down like Democrats on inflationary subsidies and corporate giveaways, this legislation puts families back in control and moves us toward a patient-centered health care system that works.

"Democrats have shown no interest in actually lowering health care costs in a paradigm-shifting, responsible way. As a result, Republicans must be prepared to use reconciliation to take on the health care cost crisis Democrats created."

The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act:

• Fixes a loophole in Obamacare that created a perverse incentive for insurance companies to intlate premiums.
• Creates competition and promotes choice in the health insurance market by empowering small businesses and their employees to find affordable
  coverage options.
• Reins in pharmacy benefit managers, middlemen who siphon dollars from the drug supply, by increasing transparency, helping consumers make cost-conscious choices, and lowering the cost of drugs.