House Republicans have passed the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, a set of reforms aimed at reducing health care premium costs, expanding access to affordable coverage, and increasing transparency in the health care system. The legislation was announced by House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas).
Arrington criticized previous Democratic health care policies, stating, "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."
He emphasized that House Republicans are pursuing a different approach: "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."
Arrington also addressed concerns about subsidy expansions and corporate interests: "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."
He concluded with remarks on legislative strategy: "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."
