Dear Senator Schumer, Senator McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy:
On behalf of the National Health Council (NHC), I am writing to urge Congress to improve health care access, equity, and innovation to help patients, now and in the future, as reconciliation legislation is considered in the Senate and House. This letter provides feedback on certain elements of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Given the size and scope of the legislation and its disparate impacts on different patient communities, the NHC is not endorsing or opposing the entirety of the bill.
The IRA includes provisions such as the Part D out-of-pocket cap and enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. It omits other previously considered improvements and creates concern from some in the patient community regarding potential effects on access to future treatments.
Created by and for patient organizations more than 100 years ago, the NHC brings diverse organizations together to forge consensus and drive patient-centered health policy. We promote increased access to affordable, high-value, sustainable health care. Made up of more than 145 national health-related organizations and businesses, the NHC’s core membership includes the nation’s leading patient organizations. Other members include health-related associations and nonprofit organizations including the provider, research, and family caregiver communities; and businesses representing biopharmaceutical, device, diagnostic, generic drug, and payer organizations.
The NHC’s strategic priorities focus on advancing reforms to optimize patient health, prioritize health equity, assure patient-centricity, and support patient group impact. Our priorities on health care cost reduction are shaped by three guiding principles:
NHC Comments on Inflation Reduction Act
08/08/2022
NHC – Inflation Reduction Act Letter (PDF)
August 5, 2022
Dear Senator Schumer, Senator McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy:
On behalf of the National Health Council (NHC), I am writing to urge Congress to improve health care access, equity, and innovation to help patients, now and in the future, as reconciliation legislation is considered in the Senate and House. This letter provides feedback on certain elements of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Given the size and scope of the legislation and its disparate impacts on different patient communities, the NHC is not endorsing or opposing the entirety of the bill.
The IRA includes provisions such as the Part D out-of-pocket cap and enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. It omits other previously considered improvements and creates concern from some in the patient community regarding potential effects on access to future treatments.
Created by and for patient organizations more than 100 years ago, the NHC brings diverse organizations together to forge consensus and drive patient-centered health policy. We promote increased access to affordable, high-value, sustainable health care. Made up of more than 145 national health-related organizations and businesses, the NHC’s core membership includes the nation’s leading patient organizations. Other members include health-related associations and nonprofit organizations including the provider, research, and family caregiver communities; and businesses representing biopharmaceutical, device, diagnostic, generic drug, and payer organizations.
The NHC’s strategic priorities focus on advancing reforms to optimize patient health, prioritize health equity, assure patient-centricity, and support patient group impact. Our priorities on health care cost reduction are shaped by three guiding principles:
Read the full letter here.