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Gabbard update on health care, federal deficit, tourism

MEDIA RELEASE

U.S Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has cosponsored two bipartisan bills to increase affordability and efficiency in the healthcare industry.

The congresswoman cosponsored the Medicare Audit Improvement Act (H.R. 1250) and the Patients Access to Treatments Act (H.R. 460).

“All people deserve access to affordable, quality healthcare and a system of care that is transparent and efficient,” Gabbard said. “It is absolutely unacceptable that some auditors and insurance companies take advantage of our healthcare system for their own monetary benefit by fraudulently denying Medicare payments or making prescription drugs unaffordable to people who need them the most. I am co-sponsoring two bills that will reduce inefficiencies and wrongful payment denials, and also make sure that certain drugs are affordable, especially for people fighting cancer, multiple sclerosis, or chronic arthritis, for example. No sick patient should lose access to treatment, or have to pay excessive prices, because of blatant abuse, inefficiencies, or fraud in the system. No patient should be forced to choose between medicine or groceries because of skyrocketing prescription costs.”

The Medicare Audit Improvement Act establishes limits for the number of medical records requests that can be made by Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs).

RACs are private organizations that contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to identify and collect improper payments made by Medicare to healthcare providers.

RACs are paid on commission, which incentivizes them to make inaccurate denials and create inefficiencies in the process.

RACs often deny claims similar to those that have been overturned on appeal, gaining their commission and forcing health providers to go through the same appeal process repeatedly.

The Patients Access to Treatments Act prohibits insurance companies from charging more for specialty drugs in a “Tier-4” prescription category.

Currently, companies typically charge for Tier-1 generics, Tier-2 brand medications, and Tier-3 off-formulary brand medications, increasing in price in each tier.

Insurance companies have moved toward using a Tier-4 category for specialty drugs and charge a percentage of the drug cost instead of a co-pay.

If patients are charged this way, the cost of specialty drugs could jump from hundreds of dollars per month to thousands of dollars, making it unaffordable for patients suffering from multiple sclerosis or cancer, for example, to receive the treatment they need.

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Gabbard Votes Against Increasing Federal Deficit to Give Tax Breaks to Corporations

Gabbard has voted against the American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2014 (H.R. 4438), a bill which makes the research and development tax credit permanent.

The bill has no pay-for, and is estimated to add $155 billion to the deficit over 10 years.

“I support innovation and the American entrepreneurial spirit, and believe that the research and development tax credit should be extended permanently. However, we cannot take this action on the backs of the American people, adding $155 billion to our deficit for the next generation to pay for,” Gabbard said.

“This bill does not pay for this permanent tax credit, therefore other programs will, by default, need to be cut. We cannot debate devastating cuts that negatively impact seniors, children and families, or our servicemembers and veterans, while at the same time giving expensive tax credits to corporations that haven’t been paid for. In order to fund critical programs, we must also support economic growth – we can do this by closing tax loopholes for special interests and U.S. companies that avoid taxes by moving operations overseas,” she said.

The R&D tax credit was one of nearly 60 tax provisions that expired at the end of 2013.

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Gabbard Recognizes Tourism Economy

Gabbard has recognized the state’s tourism economy in a speech to the House of Representatives in honor of National Travel and Tourism Week (May 3-11).

“In Hawai‘i, we proudly showcase the world’s most beautiful beaches, national parks, coral reefs, and hiking trails, many of which I enjoy as much as possible when I get home,” said Gabbard, a member of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, in her remarks to the U.S. House.

“Our robust and growing tourism industry is truly the backbone of our economy, generating more than $10 billion in visitor spending each year,” she said. “This week, I am proud to recognize all those who contribute to our world-class tourism industry, will continue to work to strengthen this industry, and give thanks to those who show their aloha to our visitors every day.”

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