Lowering Health Care Costs
Every American should have access to high-quality, affordable health care.
One of my proudest votes in Congress was for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. Since its enactment, the law has given millions of Americans access to health care coverage. Thanks to the ACA, insurance companies can no longer deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions, young people can stay on their parents' health plan until they turn 26, and all insurance plans must cover health care basics like emergency room visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs.
In 2022, our Democratic majority passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a landmark piece of legislation that caps the cost of insulin at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries, caps annual Medicare Part D drug expenses at $2,000 per year, and finally allows Medicare to negotiate lower prices for certain drugs.
I remain committed to strengthening the ACA, protecting and expanding Medicare, and pursuing sensible policies that will lower health care costs for all Americans.
More on Lowering Health Care Costs
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) led a letter to the heads of federal science agencies, including the Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The letter was signed by fifty-five Members of Congress.
Washington, DC – This week, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) hosted a telephone town hall on the latest developments in the debate over health care and Republican attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Over 6,000 people from the 11th District participated in the discussion.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) reintroduced the Medicaid CARE Act along with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH), and Congressman Evan Jenkins (R-WV). This bill would provide medical assistance for treatment of opioid and heroin addiction. It would allow payments for certain residential treatment facilities. It would also establish a $50 million youth inpatient addiction treatment grant program to fund facilities in underserved areas.
Washington, D.C. - We just learned the Republicans' health care plan would leave 23 million Americans without insurance over the next decade while rapidly bankrupting Medicare. This legislation is an irresponsible affront to hard-working Americans. We need to work together to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and keep health care affordable and accessible.
Washington D.C. - I was proud to cast my vote against the American Health Care Act. This is the 65th time Republicans have voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but now we know what their replacement looks like. It would be an unmitigated disaster for hardworking Americans across this country. The Congressional Budget Office determined that under the original AHCA, 24 million Americans would lose their health insurance. A recent report by the Center for American Progress found that it would destroy nearly two million jobs.
Erin Hegarty, Naperville Sun
More than 200 people gathered Thursday for a Naperville community forum on health care and the Affordable Care Act, many of whom told U.S. Rep. Bill Foster Thursday they support a single-payer or universal health care system.
Naperville, IL – Last night, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) hosted a community forum to discuss the latest about the debate over health care and the Affordable Care Act.
Over 200 people turned out to hear from a panel of health care experts and constituents from the 11th District who shared personal stories about how the Affordable Care Act has helped them and why it is so important to protect the progress made on health care.
Washington, DC – Today, I was proud to be on the floor of the U.S. House as pressure from across the political spectrum forced the Republican Party to pull the American Health Care Act, also known as TrumpCare, from consideration. If this legislation had passed, the result would have been a disaster for retirees, veterans, and hardworking Americans.
Washington, DC - This budget eliminates critical funding for science, education, and programs that keep Americans safe and healthy. It is hard to overstate how much damage this budget will do to our ability to remain at the forefront of innovation and problem solving. The proposed 31 percent cut in the Environmental Protection Agency will reduce our capacity to act on climate change. The nearly 20 percent cut to the National Institutes of Health will harm long term research on diseases like Alzheimer's, diabetes, and opioid addiction.
Washington, DC - After seven years of calling for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act with a promise to replace it with their own plan that would provide better care at lower costs, Republicans have finally revealed their health care plan. It would cost millions of Americans their health insurance, ration healthcare for the poor and elderly, rapidly bankrupt Medicare, and offer massive new tax cuts to the wealthy. The Affordable Care Act has given more than 20 million Americans access to health care.