Smucker Supports Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act

WASHINGTON-Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) voted in favor of the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act (H.R. 6703) and released the following statement:

"The Democrats made empty promises to the American people a decade and a half ago. Their poorly named "Affordable" Care Act has been anything but affordable for my constituents who purchase their health coverage from the marketplace. The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Act will do exactly what it says-reduce premiums for all Americans, not just those on the Obamacare marketplace, and give them more options when choosing their health care,"said Rep. Smucker.

Background:

The Congressional Budget Office reports the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act will "reduce gross benchmark premiums by 11 percent."

The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Act, courtesy of Speaker Mike Johnson:

Lowers Premiums for all Americans

• Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency: Requires PBMs to provide employers with detailed data on prescription drug spending, rebates, spread pricing, and formulary decisions-empowering plans and workers with the transparency they deserve.
• Appropriates Cost Sharing Reduction Payments: Provides necessary funding for CSR payments beginning in 2027, lowering premiums, and stabilizing the individual market while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. Relief would be better directed towards low-income enrollees that need them.

Improves Health Care Options for America's Workers

• Association Health Plans: Expands access to Association Health Plans by allowing employers-including self-employed workers-to band together across industries to purchase affordable, high-quality coverage.
• Access to Stop-Loss Insurance: Ensures small and mid-sized employers can protect themselves from catastrophic claims by clarifying that stop-loss insurance is not "health insurance coverage." This would allow small businesses to offer their employees more tailored, affordable care.
• CHOICE Arrangements: Codifies and strengthens 2019 rules allowing employers to offer defined contributions for employees to purchase their own coverage-renamed as CHOICE arrangements-and permits employees to pay premiums pre-tax.