Senator Bill Cassidy (R) - Louisiana
Senator Bill Cassidy says a proposal to end surprise medical billing, lower the cost of prescription drugs and increase cost transparency in healthcare will receive a hearing in front of a Senate committee today. Cassidy says the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019 faces hurdles but has a good chance of reaching the President’s desk.
“We have to come to an agraement among ourselves. I’m very optimistiic that is going to occur. I may now like everything that is in the bill, but almost everything that is in the bill,” said Cassidy.
Cassidy says a second Senate committee hearing will take place in July. If both committees pass the measure, it heads to the Senate floor. The measure is receiving bipartisan support in the Senate.
“By the end of July, we hope tohave a bill which then we can work on with the House of Representatives, ideally by September by voting it into law,” said Cassidy.
Cassidy says the measure ultimately comes down having better health outcomes.
“The more that people can afford to go to there doctor and take their medicine, the more likely they are to go to see a doctor and take their medicine, nd if we can make everything more affordable, people will be healthier,” said Cassidy.
