Shaheen introduces health care affordability package

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire has introduced a health care affordability package to reduce patient costs and expand access to critical medical services.

Shaheen, a Democrat, says the goals are to lower premiums, reduce deductibles, drive down out-of-pocket costs and improve the health care system.

One part would reduce deductibles and co-pays for low-income and middle-income patients by expanding the cost-sharing reduction assistance that insurers are required to provide to individuals enrolled in marketplace coverage. It would appropriate funding to reimburse insurers.

Another part would increase the value of tax credits for families currently eligible for federal assistance and expand eligibility to include more middle-income families. A third part would establish caps on now much hospitals and doctors could charge enrollees in the individual market for services provided by out-of-network medical providers.

Read more: https://www.concordmonitor.com/Shaheen-introduces-health-care-affordability-package-24564305