U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI) has introduced a set of three healthcare bills in Wisconsin, aiming to curb costs, improve access, address drug pricing transparency, ensure timely billing, and expand Health Savings Account (HSA) networks. According to Gallagher’s office, these legislative proposals are designed to alleviate financial burdens and provide better healthcare options for the residents of Wisconsin.
In a press release issued by his office, Gallagher said: “Too often, the healthcare debate in Washington devolves into partisan bickering that loses sight of the real problem with our healthcare system: skyrocketing costs with declining patient outcomes. We have to cut through the gridlock and work to address these issues and can do so by taking simple steps to increase price transparency for Americans, modernize our healthcare system, and give patients better control of their healthcare dollars. These bills are no silver-bullet solution to fixing our broken healthcare system but represent three common-sense steps we can take to get Northeast Wisconsinites better care at a better price.”
The same press release detailed the three bills that were combined into a single healthcare package. The Prescription Drug Rebate Reform Act of 2023 aims to promote pricing transparency by requiring patients’ coinsurance obligations to align with the net price of prescriptions. This is intended to reduce high drug costs and clarify pricing structures for patients across the country. The Timely Bills for Patients Act seeks to help individuals who face delayed healthcare billing due to complex systems by requiring providers to give patients service lists upon discharge, issue bills within 45 days of service, and allow a 30-day payment window. If bills are not received within the specified 45-day period, patients are relieved from payment obligations. This also requires insurers to speed up claims processing so providers can meet this deadline. Lastly, the Simplify and Expand Health Savings Account Act proposes streamlining HSA accessibility by lifting restrictive regulations and allowing higher contribution limits, permitting HSA funds for Direct Primary Care Arrangements, and enabling employer contributions toward employee HSAs as coverage fulfillment under Obamacare. The bill also suggests CMS-authorized grants to various entities to encourage and facilitate HSA enrollment, particularly benefiting smaller to medium-sized employers dealing with rising healthcare costs.
Gallagher has been in office since 2017, representing Wisconsin’s 8th District, which includes Brown, Calumet, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca Counties in their entirety and a portion of Winnebago County. He chairs the Select Committee on U.S.-China Strategic Competition and leads the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber and Information Technologies while also serving on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
