Murray Statement on Lowering Health Care Costs, Getting More Americans Covered In Build Back Better

Framework would provide coverage and reduce health care costs for millions of people across the country

Build Back Better takes steps to close the coverage gap, expand hearing benefits, and extend health care provisions from the American Rescue Plan

Senators Murray: “Building back better means making sure health care is a right, not a privilege that depends on your income or zip code.”

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement regarding policies included in the Build Back Better framework to help people across the country get health care.

“Building back better means making sure health care is a right, not a privilege that depends on your income or zip code. That’s why Build Back Better will take steps to lower health costs for families across the country—including by providing quality, affordable coverage to millions of people who are currently uninsured.

“By closing the coverage gap, adding hearing benefits to Medicare, and extending the historic relief we passed in the American Rescue Plan, this bill will be a vital step toward universal coverage and a lifeline to families across the country. I look forward to passing these steps into law, and continuing to work on additional bold health care solutions to bring down prescription drug costs and move us closer to universal coverage.”

Build Back Better includes provisions to lower health care costs and expand coverage by:

-          Reducing premiums for millions of people across the country by extending the health care tax credits from the American Rescue Plan;

-          Providing coverage to millions of currently uninsured people by closing the coverage gap and offering quality affordable coverage through the Affordable Care Act exchanges in states that have not expanded Medicaid;

-          Expanding Medicare benefits to include hearing care.

Murray has called for these policies since the early stages of Build Back Better and championed them throughout negotiations. Senator Murray is also continuing to work with Congressman Pallone to develop public option legislation and pushing to further expand Medicare benefits and allow Medicare to lower drug prices through negotiation.