Westbank Louisiana News

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, expressed strong disapproval towards the Biden administration’s recent final rule that restricts access to short-term insurance coverage, ultimately increasing the financial burden on Americans seeking healthcare.

“This new rule is what people hated most about Obamacare, taking away their choices and forcing Americans into a one-size-fits-all approach,” stated Dr. Cassidy, emphasizing the negative impact of the new policy. He further added, “Americans want affordability.”

The new rule targets short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) plans, which provide coverage during transitional periods such as job changes or gaps in long-term insurance. Under the previous Trump administration, the duration for accessing short-term health plans was extended to 36 months. However, the Biden administration's policy reverses this decision, restricting access to short-term insurance to a maximum of four months. This change is expected to compel individuals to opt for more expensive and potentially unnecessary health insurance plans in the commercial market.

Dr. Cassidy highlighted concerns regarding the consequences of such restrictions based on past experiences. He noted that during the Obama administration, similar regulations resulted in patients facing challenges in obtaining additional coverage after their short-term plans expired, often leading to significant medical bills amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In collaboration with U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), Dr. Cassidy had previously raised significant apprehensions about the potential rise in healthcare costs for Americans and the limitation imposed on their ability to choose insurance plans tailored to their specific needs.

For further updates and news from HELP Republicans, please visit their website or follow them on Twitter at @GOPHELP.