Congressman Brett Guthrie | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Brett Guthrie | Official U.S. House headshot
On December 11, 2023, Congressman Brett Guthrie of Kentucky played a significant role in the passage of a landmark health care legislation through the House. As the Chair of the Health Subcommittee on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Guthrie has been dedicated to making health care more affordable for everyday Americans.
In a statement released after voting for H.R. 5378, The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, Guthrie emphasized the importance of transparency in the health care system. He stated, "By making our health care system more transparent, we can ensure that both patients and employers are allowed to shop around and make informed decisions on their health care needs, like they would at the grocery store."
Guthrie also highlighted the need to reveal the true costs of prescription drugs. The legislation requires health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers to disclose negotiated discounts that everyday Americans are not currently seeing at the pharmacy. This provision aims to empower patients and employers to have a better understanding of the true costs of prescription drugs.
Through the diligent work of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, especially under the leadership of Chair Rodgers, Kentuckians will finally have access to the prices hidden behind the health care curtain. This legislation is expected to drive the change that the people of Kentucky deserve.
The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act takes a comprehensive approach to increasing health care price transparency, addressing the costs of prescription drugs, and supporting rural health care systems. Importantly, it also reduces the federal deficit by $700 million.
One of the key provisions of the legislation is the empowerment of patients and employers to shop for health care and make informed decisions. This is achieved by providing timely and accurate information about the cost of care, treatment, and services. Additionally, the legislation requires hospitals, insurance companies, labs, imaging providers, and ambulatory surgical centers to publicly list the prices they charge patients, building upon the price transparency rules implemented during the Trump administration.
Furthermore, the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act aims to lower out-of-pocket costs for seniors who receive medication at a hospital-owned outpatient facility or doctor's office. It also expands access to more affordable generic drugs and equips employers with the drug price information they need to secure the best deal possible for their employees.
The passage of this legislation marks a significant step towards making health care more affordable and transparent for all Americans. Congressman Guthrie's leadership in the Health Subcommittee has played a crucial role in bringing this legislation to fruition.
To find out more, go to this link: https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=388137
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