Hoeven Supports Health Care Reforms to Put More Money Directly in Consumers’ Pockets

WASHINGTON. – Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after supporting the Health Care Freedom for Patients Act, legislation introduced by Senators Mike Crapo, chair of the Senate Finance Committee and Bill Cassidy, M.D., chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee to lower health care costs and provide money directly to families for health care needs, instead of insurance companies.

“Giving billions of taxpayer dollars to health insurance companies to mask the true cost of Obamacare is not sustainable and is inflating the cost of health care for everyone – it’s clear that reforms are needed,” said Hoeven. “Instead of providing these dollars to insurance providers, this legislation gives money directly to individuals and families, so they have more control over their own health care decisions.”

Specifically, the legislation:

• Sends money to patients, not insurance companies;
  • Americans on bronze and catastrophic plans would access these dollars in a Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Funds cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments to lower insurance premiums;
• Empowers Americans to choose the insurance plan that fits their needs by increasing access to low-cost catastrophic plans;
• Ensures assistance goes to American patients by requiring citizenship or immigration-status verification.

The original Obamacare tax credits will remain, however this legislation is an alternative to extending the enhanced COVID-era tax credits provided to insurance providers that have failed to lower health insurance premiums.

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