Senator Bill Cassidy, chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, led a field hearing in Baton Rouge on May 5 to discuss how Congress can make health care more affordable for American families. The event highlighted Cassidy’s recently introduced Money and Value for Patients (MVP) agenda aimed at lowering health costs and giving patients more control over their care.
The issue of rising health care expenses remains a major concern for many Americans. The committee works to legislate on public health, education, workforce issues and retirement programs with the goal of protecting health and supporting worker rights, according to the official website.
“When you speak to people right now in Louisiana or across the country, the ability to afford things is the biggest issue. One example is health care; way too expensive,” said Dr. Cassidy during his remarks at the hearing. “Premiums are climbing and even those with coverage face thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket costs when they seek care.” He continued: “By putting money in the patient’s pocket, delivering price transparency, the MVP Agenda delivers what people in Louisiana have asked for; health care they can afford, with power in their hands.”
Cassidy outlined several components of his agenda including direct financial support for patients and increased price transparency. He said that empowering patients would help bring down prices: “If the patient has the power, then prices tend to come down.” He also referenced his experience as a physician serving uninsured populations: “I saw the pain in a mother’s eyes when trying to decide between getting her baby the care she needed or having enough money to put food on the table. No parent should have to make that decision.”
Witnesses at the hearing included Ronnell Nolan from Health Agents for America; Debbie Rowell from Acadian Coffee Roasters; Kathy Oubre from Pontchartrain Cancer Center; and TJ Woodard from Prescriptions to Geaux.
The committee influences federal regulations affecting health and education across the United States and provides oversight of federal laws and agencies such as FDA and NIH—serving as a key body for policy decisions—according to its official website. In this session of Congress, Cassidy served as chair.official website
Looking ahead, Cassidy said he will continue working toward policies that lower costs while increasing transparency: “By putting money in people’s pockets and delivering price transparency, the MVP Agenda delivers what Louisianans have been asking for: health care they can afford, with control in their hands.”
