Unusually large group of cosponsors release short-term bipartisan health care bill to give states more flexibility and begin to lower insurance premiums 

Over the last four years, the 350,000 Tennesseans who purchase their health insurance in the individual market have seen their premiums skyrocket 176 percent. Our insurance commissioner has called the market in Tennessee "very near collapse." 

Last week I announced that a group of 24 senators—12 Republicans and 12 Democrats— is cosponsoring the short-term bipartisan legislation I authored with Senator Patty Murray that will help stabilize premiums and expand access to insurance in the individual health insurance market for those Tennesseans and millions of other Americans. I've spoken to President Trump four times about our legislation and he encouraged me to reach a deal. 

This week, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released its report finding that our bill will benefit taxpayers and consumers—not insurance companies.

The president has said repeatedly and I have said repeatedly that our plan must not bail out insurance companies. We've written language to make sure it does not. Now the Congressional Budget Office says it does not.

The analysis found the Alexander-Murray proposal would also reduce the federal deficit by $3.8 billion. So not only does it not cost anything, it saves the taxpayer money.

The Congressional Budget Office also found that a provision that would allow people over the age of 29 to purchase a new catastrophic insurance plan would bring healthy people into the market and lead to lower premiums. 

Only about six percent of insured Americans get their health insurance in the individual market. This is where people who don't get insurance on the job or from the government purchase insurance. Imagine yourself, a 45-year-old songwriter in Nashville, who loses her job, has three kids, and goes out into the individual market and finds out she can't buy health insurance because no company is offering it. If we do not act, this is the kind of consequence we are talking about.

The agreement will protect Americans facing higher premiums this year, give states permanent, meaningful flexibility to create more choices among health insurance policies in the individual market, and includes new access to a ‘copper plan,’ which would allow people of all ages to purchase catastrophic insurance so a medical emergency does not become a financial emergency.

I talked with Bret Baier of Fox News last Thursday about the conservative wins in the legislation and said I agree with President Trump 100 percent that insurance companies should not be bailed out. You can watch here.

Taking the first step toward tax reform

You don’t need to be an accountant to know that our tax code is too complicated. Last week, I voted for the Senate budget resolution that is the first step toward reforming our nation’s tax code. I will continue working with President Trump and my colleagues in Congress to create a simpler system that will keep more money in Tennesseans’ pockets and help create and grow jobs for Tennessee families.

Advancing President Trump’s nominees

Last Wednesday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, which I chair, approved 10 of President Trump’s nominees. I voted to advance these nominees, who will serve in important positions that will touch the lives of nearly every American and urged my Senate colleagues to quickly confirm them.  

Examining what goes into the price Americans pay when picking up their prescriptions

Last Tuesday, I chaired the second in a series of bipartisan hearings looking at what goes into the price Americans pay when picking up the 4.4 billion prescriptions written every year. We are in a remarkable time in science that is producing amazing discoveries for patients who previously have had no hope. We have drugs that can cure Hepatitis C, keep cancer at bay, and stop a stroke. With this innovation comes new challenges in making sure all patients can benefit from these drugs. I have heard from patients in Tennessee that the costs of new prescription drugs are often too much for them to afford. We also need to make sure that any action we may take does not jeopardize this innovation so patients can continue to see breakthroughs in the research and development of new drugs. The committee will hold a third hearing next month to continue to study the best ways to address the cost of prescription drugs. 

To really improve Americans’ health, we should connect wellness programs and employer insurance

There is a remarkable consensus among doctors, researchers and experts that a healthy lifestyle leads to longer and better lives, and reduces health care costs. Wellness programs that reward behaviors such as exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, or quitting smoking have the potential to save money and improve participants’ health. About 60 percent of insured Americans get their health insurance on the job, so it is hard to think of a better way to make a bigger impact on the health of millions of Americans than to connect the consensus about wellness to employer-based insurance for 178 million people. Last Thursday, I chaired a Senate health committee hearing looking at ways to make it easier for employers to encourage their employees to lead healthier lives. You can read more about our hearing here. 

Last Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Doug Overbey’s nomination to serve as the next United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee. I’ve known Doug for a long time – and I know that Tennessee will be well-served by a man of such good character. Doug is a lifelong East Tennessean and has dedicated his life to service. I am glad the Senate Judiciary Committee approved his nomination this week.

Tell stories, but keep them short. David’s encounter with Goliath is told in 327 words.

-- #9 in Lamar Alexander’s Little Plaid Book