Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony
Legislation Comparison Grid Template
Part 1: Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
| Health-related Bill Name | Lower Health Care Cost Act |
| Bill Number | S.1895 |
| Description | · The Bill makes a series of changes relating to health care coverage, costs and services. One of them entails the in-network cost-sharing requirements to specific emergency and linked non-emergency network and prohibits health care facilities and practitioners from billing above the applicable amount. · Also, facilities and practitioners need to give patients a list of services which are provided upon discharge and ensure that they are billed within 45 days (Congress. Gov, 2020). · The bill revises the requirements in a bid to ensure that the approval of generics and biosimilars are approved. The insight includes provisions related to effective application dates, citizen petitions and labeling. · It also establishes grant programs to support vaccinations and data modernization. · The bill also requires health insurers to make certain information, including estimated out-of-pocket costs, accessible to enrollees through specified technology. · The bill also establishes programs that provide grants which are inclined to funding vaccinations and data modernization. Therefore, people can benefit significantly from the same. · It also limits prices that pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) may charge to insurers on enrollees for prescription drugs. They can identify with the care which is provided effectively. |
| Federal or State? | Federal |
| Legislative Intent | The legislative intent of the bill is to low the cost of healthcare. Through the process, people can gain access to the quality of care that they need (Congress. Gov., 2020). |
| Proponents/ Opponents | Proponents: Senate and people who have been insured. |
| Opponents: Healthcare providers. | |
| Target Population | The middle-class, who need to benefit more from health coverage |
| Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees? Is it receiving press coverage?) | The bill has passed the hearing phase and is currently in the committees. More specifically, it is being discussed in the following committees, Education, Health, Pensions and Labor (Congress. Gov., 2020). The committees are charged with assessing the bill with the need to determine whether it is sufficient enough in terms of helping to meet the health needs of people. |
| General Notes/Comments
| · The bill aims to ensure that pertinent changes about public health are attained. These changes are essential in helping to improve the level of access which people have to care. Through the process, they can achieve the necessary outcomes which are crucial. The bill has received significant media coverage, thereby enabling many people to be aware of it and have a proper understanding of what it entails (Congress. Gov., 2020). They can focus on the specific aspects touching on the bill with the need to ensure that it is outstanding and presents the chance of meeting the needs of people appropriately. · The bill is aimed at enabling insurance providers to be keen on meeting the needs of patients appropriately. Through the process, they can focus on addressing the specific challenges which patients experience in the entire process of seeking care (Congress. Gov., 2020). They can identify with the particular elements which are vital to them and, thereby, contribute positively towards attaining the most desirable outcomes. |
Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
In line with the Lower Health Care Costs bill, I am fully in support of it, owing to the positive effects which it is likely to have in terms of helping patients to gain access to the care that they need. For instance, through the cost-sharing aspect of emergencies, it is essential in enabling people in need of emergency care to receive it. Therefore, people can easily identify with the care which they are offered. They can identify with the view that they are held in high regard. Through the process, they attain the ease of supporting the various activities which are directed towards them. People can continue giving the necessary funds which are, after that, directed towards improving upon the quality of care which they receive.
Given the case of the opponent to my position, I will aim to show them the positive outcomes which they stand to benefit from the same. For instance, in the case of healthcare providers, having proper estimates of out-of-pocket costs which patients are likely to have will ensure that there is no default on the payment of bills accrued. Patients are likely to be more aware of what to expect in terms of the amount of money which they have to pay for the services received (Milstead & Short, 2019). The approach is vital in enabling the facilities to be effective in providing them with the care that they need.
As a recommendation, the bill needs to consider calling for employers to add to the amount which they contribute towards the insurance premiums of their employees. The strategy is bound to be important in improving the level of access to care which employees are bound to attain. It will be possible for them to have significant levels of consideration in taking up an insurance cover. Through the process, it will be possible for them to improve their welfare significantly.
References
Congress. Gov. (2020). S.1895 – Lower Care Costs Act
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.