Murkowski Backs Effort to Lower Cost of Health Care

Statement

During a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Executive Session, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019, legislation aimed at lowering the costs of healthcare by ending surprise medical billing, creating more transparency, and increasing prescription drug competition. The legislation, which includes 54 proposals from 36 Democrats and 29 Republicans, was moved favorably out of committee by a vote 0f 20-3.

"I want to acknowledge the good, bipartisan, constructive work that Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray have ably led. I thank my colleagues for their focus on the issue of lowering healthcare costs across America. This months-long bipartisan effort resulted in a health care package that will increase price transparency, protect patients from getting hit with unexpected medical bills, and lower the costs of prescription drugs. This is a significant effort to address our nation's unacceptably high costs of care." said Senator Murkowski. "This legislation is the result of compromise and while there is more that we must do to reduce the cost of care, this puts us on the path for further discussion on how to provide quality, affordable care for all Americans, in rural and urban communities."

During the hearing, Senator Murkowski acknowledged the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019 as a positive first step in addressing America's high costs of healthcare, but reiterated her concerns about the use of a benchmarks to address surprise medical billing due to their potential negative impacts for rural providers in a state like Alaska.

Source