| Health-related Bill Name | Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019 |
| Bill Number | S. 1895 |
| Description | Introduced and sponsored by Senior Senator for Tennessee on 19th June 2019, the bill seeks to reduce health care costs through targeting health care coverage and services. It introduces cost-sharing approach for certain emergency and non-emergency services, and prohibits medical practitioners and facilities from billing above the recommended rates. In addition, it limits the pharmacy charges, establishes grant programs, and advocates for information dissemination Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement. Besides that, it seeks to increase the minimum age of purchasing tobacco products from 18 years to 21 years (GovTrack, 2020). |
| Federal or State? | Federal |
| Legislative Intent | The bill has the intention of reducing health care costs through targeting six specific cost containment measures. Firstly, it introduces a cost sharing requirements for in-network and out-of-networks with specified rates thus ensuring that medical services are accessible at affordable prices. Secondly, it expedites drug approvals, particularly generics and biosimilars thus ensuring that cheaper drugs are availed. Thirdly, it demands accountability at billing with all charges itemized. Fourthly, it limits pharmacy charges/prices. Fifthly, it establishes grant programs. Sixthly, it requires that insurers provide comprehensive information on their costs. In addition, the legislation seeks to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 years to 21 years (GovTrack, 2020). |
| Proponents/ Opponents | Proponents: Patients and health advocates who seek to make health care more accessible through reducing costs. |
| Opponents: Health care providers, insurers and tobacco industry whose profit margins may be negatively impacted. Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement | |
| Target Population | The target population is persons from low income households. The bill reduces health care costs thus making care more accessible. In addition, it targets adolescents and young adults through raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products thus reducing use of such products among the age group. |
| Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees? Is it receiving press coverage?) | The bill was introduced on 19th June 2019 for discussion by the Senate Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee. They were moved past the committee stage then sent to the House and Senate on 26th June 2019 and are yet to be discussed and passed (GovTrack, 2020). |
| General Notes/Comments
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The bill takes a proactive approach in protecting patients against exploration. It ensures that the costs of medical services are controlled and that patients are aware of what they are paying for and can even conduct cost comparisons to identify where to get the lower costs. The issue of hidden costs is eliminated. In addition, the bill raises the minimum age of purchasing tobacco products thus improving the health of the targeted population (GovTrack, 2020). Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement |
Part 2. Legislation testimony/advocacy statement
The bill takes an important step is public health through addressing two agendas. The first agenda it addressing is reducing health care costs through eliminating the price controls that health care providers enjoy, and that allows them to exploit patients. It acknowledges that providers have enjoyed independence in setting prices (a hallmark of capitalism), but that this has allowed them to exploit patients. Through setting price caps and introducing cost sharing, the charges that patients incur can be minimized. It specifically targets medical facilities and practitioners through introducing cost sharing rates. In addition, it targets pharmacy services through limiting prices. Besides that, it targets health insurers through demanding transparency thus allowing patients to compare prices and get the best value for their money Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement. Also, it enables federal funds to be spent on grant programs to su
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