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Thu December 12, 2024

By Press Release

Politics State

WESTERMAN INTRODUCES COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE BILL FOR ALL AMERICANS

Congressman Bruce Westerman Comprehensive Health Care Bill Introduces Bill
WESTERMAN INTRODUCES COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE BILL FOR ALL AMERICANS
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) introduced The Fair Care Act of 2024, a comprehensive health care reform plan to lower costs, decrease the number of uninsured individuals, protect those with preexisting conditions, and expand coverage options. Congressman Westerman released the following statement: “The American health care system is in need of serious reform,”
said Congressman Bruce Westerman. “Government overreach has no place in the health care system, and Americans deserve to have access to quality, affordable health care regardless of a preexisting condition. This commonsense legislation will loosen the grip of Big Government on our health care system, while lowering costs, and ultimately reducing the number of uninsured Americans. The Fair Care Act creates a path forward for all Americans, providing the transparency and accessibility needed to make their own choices for the health care coverage that is best for them and their families. The Fair Care Act puts Americans first, provides peace of mind, and puts hard earned tax dollars back into their pockets. I look forward to seeing this bill move through the legislative process.” BACKGROUND: The Fair Care Act of 2024 is the fourth version of the Fair Care Act of 2019, crafted with more than 75 bipartisan provisions. Congressman Westerman will continue working toward a comprehensive health care legislation for all Americans in the 119th Congress. Some of the Fair Care Act of 2024 improvements include:
  •  Codifying the Affordable Care Act preexisting condition protections in HIPAA.
  • Offering greater protections for patients with preexisting conditions through an "Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Risk Pool" and guaranteed coverage Medigap plans.
  • Eliminating the employer health insurance mandate and allowing those with Employer Sponsored Insurance (ESI) offers to receive premium assistance.
  • Strengthening and increasing enrollment in the commercial marketplace through expanded assistance to 600 percent FPL and state innovation waivers.
  • Expanding the use of pretax dollars to cover more medical expenses, including insurance premiums and direct primary care arrangements.
  • Promoting transparency by publishing provider networks and prices for common services.
  • Requiring medical providers to send timely, transparent bills to patients.
  • Discouraging hospital consolidation and anti-competitive behavior while protecting rural hospitals from closures.
  • Modernizing the prescription drug approval process to bring safe, effective medicine to patients faster.
  • Reforming Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) practices, including eliminating Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR) fees.
  • Expanding the number of health professionals that can provide telehealth services.
  • Modernizing Medicare enrollment through a competitive bidding process, which promotes Medicare Advantage plans.
  • Establishing a flexible Medicaid funding option for states and closing the gap between Medicaid eligibility and premium assistance in the individual market.
  • Promoting fiscal accountability and solvency for Medicare and Medicaid.
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