Healthcare

Washington, D.C. –  U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee, U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Task Force on Aging & Families, led over 30 Members in responding to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information on the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. Taxpayers spend an average of $1,538 more per beneficiary in Medicare Advantage than would have otherwise been spent by Traditional Medicare—amounting to $12 billion in overpayments in a single year. Despite this significant cost, regulators have received numerous complaints regarding access to care and quality of coverage under MA. The Members urge significant reforms to prevent delays and medically unnecessary restrictions on access to care, rein in aggressive marketing tactics, reduce waste of billions of taxpayer dollars in overpayments, and to terminate the ACO REACH program, which unwillingly places beneficiaries in arrangements similar to Medicare Advantage.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) announces today that Foundation Communities has just received $1.4 million in federal funds through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help Central Texans navigate open enrollment season for health insurance this fall. These funds are an increase of their current $1 million per year three-year grant.

Seizing the Historic Opportunity to Deliver Health Security for Millions of Uninsured Americans Left Out & Left Behind for So Long

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, and U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) just led a group of 83 lawmakers in urging the Biden Administration to issue a national emergency declaration and a Public Health Emergency declaration on abortion access, and to use authorities under the PREP Act to help ensure continued access to medication abortion across the country.

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, joined by colleagues, introduced new legislation to preserve health care coverage for seniors and individuals with disabilities: The Assuring Medicare’s Promise Act (AMP Act). As this bill was being circulated for cosponsors, new press reports have indicated that the Senate may close the loophole that allows wealthy individuals to avoid paying the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) and direct these funds into the Medicare Hospital Insurance Fund. This is positive progress, but only extends Medicare solvency by about three years.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) responded to President Biden’s executive action and speech on reproductive rights:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, and Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), member of the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee, led a group of more than 100 Members in urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to use its existing executive authority to improve coverage of medically necessary dental services. As evidence mounts demonstrating oral health’s connection to overall physical wellness, the Members press for better coverage. An estimated 68% of African Americans and 61% of Hispanics have not seen a dentist in the past year, increasing the urgency of expanding care to reduce health inequities.

Washington, D.C. – Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, along with Sen. Angus King (I-ME), Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), led a group of 100 members from across the ideological spectrum to urge Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra to swiftly act and use his authority to lower prices on critical prescription drugs.