Jul 09 2014
Fischer Introduces The Healthy Families Act to Promote More Family Control Over Health Care
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) today introduced The Healthy Families Act, legislation that would enhance government accountability in decisions impacting many families’ health care. Under Obamacare, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is authorized to determine the types of preventive service coverage private insurers must offer without imposing cost-sharing – such as copayments, deductibles, or co-insurance – on patients. These determinations also strongly influence which preventive services Medicare and Medicaid choose to cover. The Healthy Families Act would check the power granted to this federal task force with increased public involvement and a more transparent process.
Fischer issued the following statement:
“ObamaCare has left thousands of families in Nebraska and across the country with fewer options and less control over their health care. The law has also empowered a federal task force to make decisions over coverage for important preventative services like mammograms and prostate screenings. I believe this task force’s decision-making process should be accessible to the public through an open, deliberative discussion – not hidden behind closed doors. The Healthy Families Act is a needed step towards restoring family control over their health care and strengthening transparency and accountability within the federal government.”
In 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force made the controversial recommendation that women between the ages of 40-49 did not need regular mammograms. In response to widespread backlash, Congress included in ObamaCare a provision negating the recommendation, leaving federal mammography coverage unchanged until the task force decides to make a new recommendation. This same federal task force has also recommended against regular prostate screenings.
The Healthy Families Act would:
- Require the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which enhances transparency and accountability; and
- Increase public involvement, including from medical associations and physician experts, through open meetings and reporting. FACA requires that committee meetings must be announced in the federal register and open to the public.
