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
David Sharos, Aurora Beacon-News
Heroin use continues to be a problem in the Aurora area, with some officials saying a change in attitude is needed to make headway against the drug.
A group of local law enforcement officials and drug enforcement groups, led by U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Naperville), met at Aurora's Eola Branch Library Wednesday to discuss the fight against heroin and opioid addiction.
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) sent a letter signed by 71 Members of Congress to Kaléo Pharmaceuticals that requested more information on the recent increase in the price of its naloxone injector device, Evzio. This month, reports circulated that the company raised the price by over 600% from $690 in 2014 for a two pack to $4,500.
Washington, DC - Today, I voted against a Republican budget proposal that would expand the national debt over $9.5 trillion and would begin the process to repeal the Affordable Care Act and defund Planned Parenthood. This budget resolution will have disastrous consequences for the American people. For seven years, Republicans have promised a better plan but have failed to provide any details of what that plan might entail.
Washington, DC - Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement on the 115th Congress:
"At the beginning of the 115th Congress, there are clear signs that Republicans will repeal much of the legislation that has improved the quality of life for so many Americans.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) praised funding included in the federal budget for science and public health crises. The continuing resolution allocates money for the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility at Fermilab located in Naperville, Illinois. The funding measure also includes $1.1 billion funding for Zika, and $37 million for opioid and heroin addiction treatment.
Naperville, IL – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) hosted an event on the science of opioid and heroin addiction. He was joined by a panel of experts in addiction science and treatment.
More than 50 people attended the discussion, which was held at Edward Hospital in Naperville. Several topics were discussed including the effect of opioids on brain function, new medical treatment options, and the best techniques for speaking with loved ones about addiction.
"I applaud the Illinois lawmakers who passed a stopgap budget that will fund state operations through the end of the year and ensure schools will open this fall. The year-long budget impasse has taken a toll on our state and has adversely affected health and social services. It placed our educational infrastructure in unnecessary jeopardy and failed to provide adequate funding to drug treatment programs. I commend those who came together to pass this deal. But this is no way to run the state of Illinois.
Aurora, IL – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that $350,000 in grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services will be awarded to VNA Healthcare in Aurora for the expansion of their oral health services.
"A major aspect of providing quality healthcare is making sure everyone has access to oral health services as well," Foster said. "This funding will give VNA the ability to provide dental care to an additional 1,300 patients and provide resources to hire new dental professionals."
Washington, DC – This week, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) led a bipartisan letter to Department of Health and Human Services. The letter encourages the Department to ensure the newly approved six-month buprenorphine implant is accessible and affordable for individuals who need treatment for opioid addiction.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) introduced H.R. 5287 - the Medicaid Coverage for Addiction Recovery Expansion (CARE) Act – a bill that would expand access to treatment for people who are struggling to receive the addiction care they need.
This measure would help thousands of people across the country, including 2,000 Medicaid beneficiaries in Illinois who receive treatment for substance abuse and addiction each year.