Today, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) ) helped pass H.R. 987, the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act, a package of bills that was recently passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

The bill helps Americans better understand their health insurance options by expanding the in-person Navigator assistance program established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), lowers prescription drug costs by fast-tracking Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generic drug development and approval, reverses the Trump Administration’s expansion of junk insurance plans, and encourages expansion of state-based insurance programs.

“Americans deserve affordable, accessible health care. But this administration has sought to take it away by repeated attempts to repeal the ACA. The legislation we passed today makes needed reforms to lower prescription drug costs, limit junk plans to their originally intended short-term use, and to provide better access to affordable, quality healthcare to all Americans. This bill also is good budgeting: It invests in important American priorities while saving taxpayers $97 million dollars. I welcome smart reforms to the ACA that drive down health care costs and expand access,” said Rep. Peters.

Rep. Peters has been a vocal champion of smart reforms to the ACA to make it more affordable and accessible for San Diegans. He and Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) introduced the State Health Care Premium Reduction Act, which funds health care reinsurance in state-based marketplaces to keep costs down for consumers; the bill passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee in April. Earlier this year, Rep. Peters also fought for increased support for servicemembers through the Department of Defense and voted to protect the health care of Americans with preexisting conditions.