Bipartisan Group of Problem Solvers Caucus Members Introduce Comprehensive Health Care Bill to Stabilize the Individual Marketplace

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-05), along Congressman Tom Reed (NY-23) and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), led a bipartisan group of twenty-six Problem Solvers Caucus Members to introduce the Bipartisan Market Stabilization and Innovation Act (HR 4695), a bill to stabilize the individual marketplace and bring down health care costs for millions.

The Bipartisan Market Stabilization and Innovation Act will:

• fund Cost Sharing Reduction payments, which help low- and middle-income families afford copays and deductibles;
• establish a ten-year $115 billion stability fund for states to stabilize the marketplace;
• streamline the 1332 State Innovation Waiver process to allow states to innovate while protecting patients;
• repeal the medical device tax so patients are no longer footing the bill;
• and, alter the employer mandate to provide relief to small businesses.

“Families have been rocked by uncertainty when it comes to health care all year long,” said Rep. Schrader. “At the surface, it can seem as though this year was full of political and partisan nonsense. But I’m proud to be part of a group of individuals from across the political spectrum who have been working together to tackle this extraordinarily vital issue. Legislating on health care—an area that’s incredibly personal and complex—takes time and effort. As with any major piece of legislation, everyone agrees that there are needed fixes to the ACA. At this point, it’s clear that partisan politicking doesn’t lead to solutions for anyone. I’ve been working all year with my colleagues across the aisle, hearing from health care providers, insurers, patients and professionals, to develop this bill. The compromise we brokered will bring down costs and provide much needed stability. Now we must work to enact it as soon as possible.”

“It is a great day when a bipartisan group of legislators can come together on an issue as important as health care,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Tom Reed. “I am proud to stand with my Republican and Democrat colleagues to help improve health care coverage for my constituents in New York and for Americans across the country. These legislative fixes will provide immediate relief and help stabilize the individual market and prove that bipartisan problem solving is the best the way to move this country forward in 2018.

“For too long, health care has been viewed as a fiercely partisan issue, but the Problem Solvers Caucus has shown that working together to fight the gridlock is possible,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Josh Gottheimer. “Democrats and Republicans can agree that we need a bipartisan plan to stabilize the health insurance marketplace and lower premiums for everyone. This bill will help small businesses and families in New Jersey and across the country by making permanent cost sharing reductions to reduce out of pocket costs while protecting coverage for seniors and hard-working families. I thank my colleagues for their hard work and good faith efforts that got us to this point, and I look forward to working across the aisle to help Jersey families save on health care costs.”

Additional Co-Sponsors include: Ami Bera (CA-07), Jim Costa (CA-16), Ryan Costello (PA-06), Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), Charles W. Dent (PA-15), Elizabeth Esty (CT-05), John Faso (NY-19), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08), John Katko (NY-24), Leonard Lance (NJ-07), Daniel Lipinski (IL-03), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Rick Nolan (MN-08), Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Scott Peters (CA-52), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Thomas Suozzi (NY-03), Glenn W. Thompson (PA-05), Dave Trott (MI-11), Peter Welch (VT-At Large).

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