Subcommittee Chairman Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) opened a joint hearing of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs and the Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services to examine how technology can help lower health care costs for Americans.
Burlison argued that recent policy decisions have increased health care expenses. He criticized the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and regulatory actions under the Biden administration, stating these measures have made health care less affordable. "Health care costs in the United States have long been on the rise, but recent Democrat policies and the radical Biden Administration’s regulatory agenda have made health care costs in America even worse," he said.
He noted that while the IRA was promoted as a way to reduce costs for working Americans, its implementation has instead added regulatory burdens. "Today, we have another opportunity to take a hard look at the consequences of policies that not only fail to accomplish their intended goals but place an undue regulatory burden on Americans," Burlison stated.
The hearing highlighted various technologies already improving efficiency in healthcare. Burlison mentioned artificial intelligence, wearable devices that allow patients to monitor their health in real time, 3D printing for personalized medical devices such as prosthetics and implants, and telehealth services enabling remote consultations—especially beneficial for rural communities.
"These kinds of technologies are revolutionary, but if innovators cannot afford to develop more of them because of expensive barriers put in place by the Biden Administration and the Inflation Reduction Act, the American people will miss out on cutting-edge medical care that could improve patient outcomes," he said.
Burlison also referenced recent legislative action under President Trump aimed at supporting rural hospitals with over $50 billion for operations and technology development. He stated: "Earlier this year, President Trump signed the One Big, Beautiful Bill into law. That bill gives over $50 billion to rural hospitals to ensure their continued operation and development of medical technology."
The hearing included testimony from an expert panel with perspectives from business owners in medical technology. Burlison concluded by thanking witnesses for their participation.
