COLUMN: Working to lower the cost of care for Kentucky families

As the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, one of my main goals over the next several months is to find real, meaningful solutions to lower the cost of health care for Kentucky families. That's why our Subcommittee on Health recently held a hearing with top health insurance CEOs to demand answers about the increasing cost of health care.

The truth is that the increasing cost of health care is out of control. According to CMS, America spent $5.3 trillion on health care in 2024. That represents a staggering 18% of our country's gross domestic product. This hearing looked at how that occurred over the past several years and what potential reforms are needed to increase affordability.

A core component of the health insurance industry's value proposition is working on behalf of Americans to lower the cost of health care, along with improving access to quality care. Yet, health care costs continue to rise every year, and increasingly, Americans have become frustrated by the feeling that their insurance is working against their health, not for it.

One of the main issues this hearing focused on was the way in which these insurance companies have vertically integrated, meaning in addition to operating the insurance component, these companies also control pharmacies, health care providers, drug manufacturers, and other components part of the health care supply chain. This results in Americans being forced to navigate a health care system without fair market competition and choice. I don't know about you, but to me, as a believer in the free market, that is a driving force behind increased health care costs.

In addition to our recent hearing, Congress just took action to enact meaningful Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform as a part of H.R. 7178, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, which was signed into law by President Trump. These reforms include:

Requiring PBMs to pass savings along to beneficiaries.

Requiring PBMs to provide employers with specific information on costs, rebates, fees, use of drugs, and cost sharing, to enable employers to make informed decisions about their employees' health benefits.

Expanding pharmacy options for seniors by requiring Part D plans to allow any willing pharmacy that meets standardized and reasonable contract terms to participate in their networks.

I look forward to working with my Democratic colleagues to find bipartisan solutions to lower health care costs for American families.

I am eager to continue our series of hearings to address this important issue head-on. To stay up to date on this work, click here or on the button below!

Brett Guthrie represents Kentucky's 2nd Congressional District — which includes a portion of Nelson County — in the U.S. House of Representatives.