East Idaho Times

Washington, D.C.--At a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing, Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) expressed disappointment with the President's fiscal year 2025 Health and Human Services (HHS) budget for not addressing crucial healthcare issues affecting Americans. Crapo raised concerns about the absence of bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing healthcare costs for seniors with chronic conditions and generating taxpayer savings.

During the hearing with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Crapo highlighted the importance of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, improving Medicare Part D, and expanding telehealth flexibility for seniors and working families. Crapo emphasized the need for bipartisan solutions and called on the President to support legislative efforts to address these issues.

Regarding the consequences of drug price controls in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Crapo pointed out the negative impact on American seniors, including canceled clinical trials for medical breakthroughs and increasing copays. He urged Secretary Becerra to collaborate with Congress to improve the Part D program and prioritize bipartisan solutions over partisan expansions.

Telehealth coverage was another key concern addressed by Crapo, stressing its critical role for seniors and working families nationwide. He highlighted the impending risk of losing access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries and Americans with high-deductible health plans, urging proactive actions to avert this outcome.

In response to Crapo's inquiries, Secretary Becerra committed to supporting congressional efforts for PBM reform, working on bipartisan Medicare Part D improvements, and ensuring continued telehealth coverage. The dialogue between Crapo and Becerra underscored the importance of bipartisan collaboration in addressing healthcare challenges and prioritizing the needs of American patients and providers.