Hoyer Statement on Report Showing Growth in Health Care Spending Has Continued to Slow

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after a national health expenditure report was released showing that growth in health care spending has continued to slow: 

“Today’s announcement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that the growth in health care spending has continued to slow – to the lowest rate since 1960 – demonstrates that the Affordable Care Act is working.  Reining in the ballooning cost of health care in this country was one of the main reasons why Democrats worked to enact health care reform in 2010.  As a result of the law, costs are coming under control and more Americans are able to access insurance coverage to help pay for preventive care services.  Under Medicare, beneficiaries can now access a range of preventive check-ups and screenings for free, making it easier to catch health problems early before they become more serious and more costly to treat. 

“Along with measures that prevent discrimination against those with pre-existing conditions and against women, ban annual and lifetime coverage limits, and allow those under age twenty-six to be covered under their parents’ plans, the law contains cost-saving provisions that are having a positive impact on our nation’s health and on our economy.  I urge those Republicans in Congress who are determined to hold yet another vote to repeal or undermine health reform to work with Democrats instead to make sure it benefits even more Americans.”