House advances health care bill containing key DeGette priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed health care legislation containing key priorities that U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) worked to secure.Rep. DeGette released the following statement after passage of the bill:

“Today highlights the commonsense steps that Congress can take when we put partisanship aside and do what’s best for the American people,” said Rep. DeGette. “This bill brings together Republicans and Democrats to lower costs and increase transparency for patients across the nation.”

“I’m particularly pleased to see several of my priorities included in this legislation. By reauthorizing the Special Diabetes Program, we will ensure the program's research continues as they work to find innovative ways to treat and hopefully cure diabetes. And, by preventing devastating cuts to hospitals that care for vulnerable patients, we’ll improve access to care.”

This bill, H.R. 5378 or the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, contained provisions to reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program, eliminate 2 years’ worth of Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Cuts, and provide price transparency for clinical lab tests – all of which DeGette has championed in Congress.

Thanks to her work to reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program, an additional two years of funding would be provided to scientists at the National Institutes of Health so they can continue their ongoing efforts to find new ways to treat, prevent and ultimately cure the disease. This provision provides the program $170 million annually through September 30, 2025.

DeGette’s clinical lab test transparency provisions will, for the first time, expand existing price transparency requirements to labs – providing patients with more clarity into the prices they’ll pay for these tests.

And, by preventing cuts to the Medicaid DSH program, greater support will be available to assist hospitals that provide care for high rates of Medicaid and uninsured patients.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 320 to 71. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.