House passes DeGette bill on preventive health savings

Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 766, the Preventive Health Savings Act, which would provide a framework for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to evaluate the long-term budget impacts of preventive health care legislation. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), who led this legislation alongside Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) for over 10 years, released the following statement:

“This bill will dramatically improve how Congress considers preventive health policy, while at the same time, saving money,” Rep. DeGette said. “With the CBO providing better assessments, Congress can make more informed decisions on treatment, prevention, screening, and the long-term costs of illness and care. I’m glad to have led this bipartisan bill with Rep. Burgess to bolster our public and fiscal health.”

“Since 2012, I have been championing this legislation to provide the Congressional Budget Office with the ability to analyze the long-term benefits of preventive health care measures while ensuring that we make informed decisions on future health care policy. I am grateful that the Preventive Health Savings Act passed the House of Representatives today. With chronic diseases accounting for over seventy percent of health care spending, this bill will ensure the Congressional Budget Office has access to the necessary tools to calculate the long-term cost saving potentials of preventive health care initiatives. The passage of this bill lays the foundation for future policies that will reduce chronic disease illnesses, manage risks before they become detrimental to the patients’ health, and lower health care costs for Americans. Thank you to the Budget Committee, Chairman Arrington, and Congresswoman DeGette for partnering with me to get this bill through Committee and I am beyond honored for their decision to attach my name to this critical piece of legislation. I am looking forward to the passage of this bill in the Senate as we continue to strengthen our national health care public policy strategy," said Congressman Burgess.

H.R. 766, also known as the Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act, would provide a framework for committees of jurisdiction to request supplementary cost estimates of preventive health care legislation beyond the typical 10-year budget window to a 30-year window. Such estimates can provide a more complete picture of the potential fiscal impact and savings of preventive health legislation.

It was unanimously passed by the House Budget Committee last month. Read the full bill text here.