Collins, Roberts highlight health care reform in confirmation hearing for HHS secretary nominee Price

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) focused on health care reforms during a confirmation hearing for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) nominee U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R-GA).

Collins and Roberts, both members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, questioned Price about the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) during a committee confirmation hearing.

“Many of us have expressed concern about what would happen to the millions of Americans who are in the individual market of the ACA on the exchanges,” Collins said. “But there has been remarkably little debate on what would happen if Congress took no action with regard to the individual market.”

Price said the individual and small group market, where millions of people have gained coverage, is broken in many ways.

“One-third of counties have just one insurance provider,” Price said. “There are five states that have only one insurance provider. The premiums are going up for folks. The deductibles. I get calls weekly from my former fellow physicians who tell me their patients are making decisions about not getting the kind of care they need because they can’t afford the deductible …”

Collins noted that the individual market has experienced double-digit premium increases, higher deductibles, larger co-pays and fewer choices as insurers have left the market.

“The co-ops have failed dramatically,” Collins said. “So for us to say everything is going well with Obamacare is just not accurate. That is why I feel we do need to fix the flaws of what is a well-intentioned but deeply problematic law.”

Price said as HHS secretary he would work to quickly pass a reform package that would provide access to affordable health insurance and more choices.

“I believe it’s important we work together to put forward a system that allows every single American to have the opportunity to purchase the coverage they think is best for themselves and their families,” Price said.

Collins and U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have announced plans to introduce an ACA replacement plan, The Patient Freedom Act, on Monday. The bill will aim to increase choice, lower costs and expand access to affordable care.

Roberts, meanwhile, acknowledged that there is much uncertainty among consumers about forthcoming health care reforms.

“I think it is important to make clear that even if Congress and the incoming administration were to do nothing amending or repealing parts of the Affordable Care Act, the law is not working,” Roberts said. “The prices are unaffordable and the markets are nearly nonexistent — with few to no options in several states and counties.”

Roberts also voiced concerns about the federal government rationing care under the health care law by “interrupting the doctor-patient relationship and allowing government to dictate what coverage you can receive.”

Roberts, the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, also highlighted the need for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prioritize food safety and decrease regulations.

“While we all share the goal of a safe food supply and the availability of accurate information for consumers, I am concerned that the Obama administration has not clearly, or consistently, communicated with the food and agriculture industry regarding new or changing requirements,” Roberts said.