LaMalfa Statement on the Lower Health Care Premiums For All Americans Act

Washington, D.C.-Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 6703, the Lower Health Care Premiums For All Americans Act:

"I'm pleased to see the House pass real change for our healthcare system," said Rep. LaMalfa. "This bill gives people more choice, helps lower costs, and represents a step in the right direction. These reforms will lead to decreases in insurance premiums in the coming years. Folks in my district need more immediate relief. Families are still facing costs that are needlessly high, teetering on the edge of insurmountable healthcare expenses. Congress has a responsibility to address this before even more people are priced out of coverage entirely."

The Lower Health Care for All Americans Act represents a significant step toward making health insurance more affordable, particularly for small employers and individual consumers. The bill expands Association Health Plans, allowing small businesses to join together to access group rates and larger networks on ACA exchanges. It also deregulates Stop Loss Insurance, encouraging more employers to offer health benefits without the burden of Obamacare's red tape. Employers can now place funds in employee accounts, giving workers greater flexibility to choose the plan that works best for them.

The legislation also increases transparency for Pharmaceutical Benefits Managers (PBMs), cracking down on practices that drive up drug costs. Additionally, it ends the practice of insurers inflating silver plan prices to capture larger federal subsidies. These changes are expected to save federal dollars, reduce premiums by an estimated 11%, and reduce reliance on costly insurance payouts.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California's First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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