Congress can work together to advance good policy
Crapo
We hear a lot about what Congress does not do well — namely, work together to get things done.
Frankly, I share these justified criticisms. But, I am also happy to report about an issue where senators have been working well together to fix some problems for Idahoans and all Americans. I serve as ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee that oversees federal social safety net and health care programs. This Committee recently advanced legislation I have been working on with Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, to reduce out-of-pocket medication costs for seniors, enhance accountability in our federal health care programs, improve access to high-quality mental health services, and extend critical support for clinicians and suppliers, without adding to the federal deficit.
The Committee passed the Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs and Extenders Act (the Better Act) by a vote of 26-0. That’s right. The committee voted overwhelmingly in favor of this legislation that builds on the Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act, which the committee passed in July. The legislation would expand mental health care and substance use disorder services under Medicaid and Medicare; reduce prescription drug costs for seniors at the pharmacy counter; extend essential Medicaid and Medicare provisions; and increase Medicare payments to support physicians and other providers.
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