Twelve Democratic Senators have issued a letter laying out policy proposals they believe would deliver health insurance coverage that would work for everyone.
The letter begins by stating:
America’s for-profit health insurance system is fundamentally broken… At a time when over one-third of adults with health insurance report delaying or skipping care altogether due to cost, the largest for-profit health insurance companies in America reported over $71 billion in profits in 2024.
The letter sets forth three broad goals: (1) reversing recent laws passed by Republicans that have increased costs; (2) making healthcare simpler for families; and (3) taking on corporate greed. Among the specific policies proposed in the letter are:
- Reversing “the largest health care cuts in history” passed by the Republican Congress
- Reining in unsustainable spikes in deductibles and out-of-pocket costs
- Expanding pathways to coverage for low-income individuals, in particular in states that have not expanded Medicaid coverage
- Eliminating junk insurance plans
- Ensuring that individuals get the insurance that they are eligible for though a one-stop shop
- Simplifying and standardizing plans and benefits to allow apples to apples comparisons
- Holding “Big Insurance” accountable for practices that generate profits by stepping in between patients and their doctors to delay or deny access to care
- Stopping corporate insurance companies and third parties from making money by acting as unaccountable middlemen that delay care and deny claims
The letter indicated that they plan to release more detailed plans in the coming weeks and months.
The letter was signed by Ron Wyden, (D-OR), Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Finance; Mark Warner, D-VA’ Jon Ossoff (D-GA); Raphael Warnock, (D-GA); Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE); Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); Jeff Merkley (D-OR); Elissa Slotkin (D-MI); Elizabeth Warren (D-MA); Tina Smith (D-MN); and Peter Welch (D-VT).
The lawyers at Whatley Kallas, LLP have found that the health insurers routinely deny and underpay claims submitted for medically necessary care, which we pursue on behalf of our provider clients. We will be tracking these policy proposals as more details are released and legislation introduced.
The Democratic Senators’ letter is linked here.