I am committed to ensuring that Americans have access to quality affordable healthcare. Today, 71 percent of Americans like their healthcare plans, and we should focus on improving it for the 29 percent who don’t and for those without access to healthcare.
To do this, we must work across the aisle and work on legislation that lowers costs and pushes for more cures, pushes for more preventive care, promotes healthy living choices, and gives Americans the right to choose the healthcare plan that is best suited for their individual needs.
Specific Issues & Bills
Affordable Care Act (ACA):
- Congressman Bacon supports keeping the parts of ACA that worked well:
- Pre-existing condition protections
- Staying on your parent’s plan until your 26
- Congressman Bacon supports changing the one size fits all approach to the ACA. This failed policy had created policies so expensive many individuals can’t afford them. This includes:
- Policies allowing for association pools and other options people can choose from
- Use of a pool structure to use tax dollars to lower high-risk premiums which will lower rates for all
- Mental health parity for the equal treatment of mental health conditions and substance use disorders in insurance plans
- A cap on plans and then Medicare picks up the cost beyond. This will reduce premiums for all.
- Funding for Community Health Centers such as Charles Drew Health Center and One World Community Health Center
- A strong Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Funding for the National Institute for Health so we can find cures for diseases
Pre-Existing Condition Protection:
Co-Sponsor of H.R. 692 Pre-Existing Conditions Protection Act which prohibits application of pre-existing condition exclusions and to guarantee availability of health insurance coverage in the individual and group market, contingent on the enactment of legislation repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Prescription Drug Coverage
- Co-sponsor H.R. 19 – The Lower Cost, More Cures Act This bill includes over 40 provisions with demonstrated bipartisan support. Unlike H.R. 3, this bill can actually lower the cost of drugs because it can be signed into law.
- Encourages innovation of groundbreaking new cures, promotes more low-cost options for patients, and curbs the gaming of the system by drug companies.
- For the first time ever, places a cap on seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs and allow seniors to manage their annual out-of-pocket spending.
- Makes insulin more affordable.
- Increases transparency and removes uncertainty at the pharmacy counter.
- Cuts the cost of drug administration, including cancer treatment, for Medicare beneficiaries by as much as half.
- Stops subsidizing other developed countries health care through stronger trade agreement with real enforcement
