U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, criticized Democrats for voting in a way that he says will increase health care costs for Americans and prevent families from receiving financial support for their medical expenses.
Cassidy's proposed Republican legislation, co-introduced with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, aims to lower insurance premiums by 11 percent and reduce out-of-pocket expenses. The bill would also provide direct payments to families to help them manage their own health care costs. According to Cassidy, this approach is different from the Democratic proposal of temporary COVID-related subsidies, which he claims send significant federal funds to large insurance companies without reducing premium prices.
“Democrats want to force families to pay $6,000 out-of-pocket before their insurance kicks in. Republicans want to make health care affordable and put thousands in patients’ pockets to help pay for their out-of-pocket expenses,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Democrats need to stop playing politics with people’s health care and come to the table to find real solutions.”
Prior to the vote on the legislation, Cassidy spoke on the Senate floor advocating for his bill. He has repeatedly called on Congress over recent months—including during hearings of both the Senate Finance Committee and HELP Committee—to work together on measures that would lower health insurance costs for families.
For further information about updates from HELP Republicans, more details are available at their official website or Twitter account @GOPHELP.
