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Congresswoman Spartz: Affordability Subcommittee of Healthy Futures Task Force Hosts First Hearing

August 30, 2021

CARMEL, Ind. – Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (IN-05), Chairman Kevin Hern (OK-1) and Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12) hosted a Healthy Futures Task Force, Affordability Subcommittee Hearing this week on empowering consumers and reducing the cost of healthcare.

Rep. Spartz stated, "Government regulations and significant subsidies to large stakeholders have created a material monopoly/oligopoly problem across all sectors of health care market. We have to introduce more value competition or accept full government takeover of health care, which will be fatal to quality and innovation."

Rep. Hern stated, "Americans have been demanding an answer to rising health care costs; today we took our first step towards a solution. It’s going to take time, but we are committed to empowering patients and lowering the cost of healthcare.” 

Rep. Allen stated, "“In order to make health care more affordable, Congress must identify why costs are rising and focus on policy solutions that encourage transparency and innovation, while ensuring the vast majority of every taxpayer dollar spent on health care goes directly toward helping patients.”

Witness List:

Brian Blasé, CEO of Blasé Policy Strategies and senior research fellow at the Galen Institute and at the Foundation for Government Accountability—Former special assistant to the president for economic policy at the White House’s National Economic Council (NEC).

Doug Holtz-Eakin, President of the American Action Forum—former CBO Director, Chief Economist of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA).

Eric Hargan, Founder and CEO of the Hargan group –Former Deputy Secretary and Chief Regulator Officer of HHS.

Kevin Kuhlman, Vice President of Federal Government Relations at National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

Benedic Ippolito, Senior Fellow at AEI.

Issues:Health