U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, criticized Democrats for their recent vote on health care legislation. According to Cassidy, the Democratic-supported measure would increase health care costs for millions of Americans and prevent families from receiving up to $5,000 to help pay for medical expenses.
Cassidy and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced Republican legislation as an alternative. They say their bill would reduce insurance premiums by 11 percent, lower out-of-pocket expenses, and provide direct financial support to families so they can manage their own health care costs. The proposal is presented as a replacement for what Republicans describe as Democrats’ temporary COVID bonuses that allocate large sums of taxpayer money to insurance companies without reducing premiums.
“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, Cassidy addressed the U.S. Senate floor in support of his party’s legislation.
In recent months, Cassidy has repeatedly called on Congress to collaborate on efforts aimed at lowering health insurance costs for American families. He has raised these concerns during a Senate Finance Committee hearing, a HELP Committee hearing, and remarks delivered on the U.S. Senate floor.
