Rep. McAdams Votes to Lower Health Care Costs

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah, issued the following news release:

Congressman Ben McAdams voted for a measure which strengthens the Affordable Care Act for individuals, families and children, incentivizes Medicaid expansion by the states and lowers prescription drug prices. McAdams supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 1425), which passed the House with bipartisan support.

"We must make sure Utahns can get quality healthcare they can afford. Now more than ever our families need peace of mind that a preexisting condition or getting laid off from a job won't cost them their insurance coverage or prevent them from getting treatment for a sick family member," said McAdams.

McAdams said the bill, among other things, fixes the "family glitch", thereby expanding access to tax credits for working families to purchase health insurance through the exchange. It also provides money to the states to establish a state reinsurance program or use the funds to provide financial assistance to reduce out-of-pocket costs for individuals enrolled in qualified health plans. It provides incentives for states to expand Medicaid and provides 12-months of continuous eligibility for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). In Utah, more than 40,000 children are enrolled in CHIP. The measure also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate with drug manufacturers for certain selected drugs.

McAdams said the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that a fair price negotiation program will lower prescription drug prices significantly and would save $42 billion on other health care costs such as doctor and hospital visits thanks to overall improved health. The measure, according to the CBO, would also lower individual health insurance premiums by 10 percent and extend health insurance coverage to an additional 4 million Americans.

"The high cost of prescription drugs, such as insulin, is straining families' budgets and forcing some families to make the devastating decision to forgo or ration their prescriptions. This must be changed. This bill provides much needed relief to seniors and others who rely on these life-saving medicines," said McAdams.