Walberg, House Advance Legislation to Lower Health Care Premiums, Increase Patient Choice

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) voted this week for a series of bipartisan bills to help bring down health care costs, increase patient choice and access to care, and support workforce development initiatives for health professionals.

"The rising cost of health care is a constant struggle for hardworking Michigan families. They need relief," said Congressman Walberg. "We're fighting for patient-centered reforms to increase affordable options and give control back to families and their doctors. From expanding Health Saving Accounts to eliminating the harmful medical device tax, the targeted solutions we passed this week are important steps to put patients first, increase choice and flexibility, and lower premiums."

Background on the House-passed legislation:

H.R. 184, Protect Medical Innovation Act
Permanently repeals the Affordable Care Act's excise tax on medical devices that stifles medical innovation.

H.R. 1676, Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act
Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to improve the training of health professionals in palliative care.

H.R. 3728, the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency Readiness (EMPOWER) Act
Reauthorizes the health professions workforce programs that support loan repayment and provider training experiences in primary care, dentistry, rural or underserved areas, and in community-based settings.

H.R. 6199, Restoring Access to Medication and Modernizing Health Savings Accounts Act
Provides relief from the Affordable Care Act tax on over-the-counter medications and modernizes health savings accounts (HSAs).

H.R. 6311 - Increasing Access to Lower Premium Plans and Expanding Health Savings Accounts Act
Expands access and use of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and lowers premiums on health care plans.