Health Care
As a sitting Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, I am at the forefront of debates surrounding health care policy. People across western and central Wisconsin have shared with me for years their concerns with our current health care system. Our economy continues to suffer as Wisconsin families fall further into debt due to rising health care costs. Comprehensive health care reform could not wait and I was glad to help shape and support the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010. As part of health care reform, I was committed to making sure that we fixed what’s broken in the health care system and strengthened what’s working. For 46 years, Medicare has provided critical health care and financial stability for seniors and people with disabilities – and it’s working for seniors in western Wisconsin.
Legislative Successes:
- Part of the health care reform bill included provisions from legislation I authored. The provisions move the Medicare system from one that pays for the quantity of services provided to one that is quality-based and addresses the long-term sustainability of the program.
- This year, I partnered with Chairman Ryan to include access to Medicare data for Qualified Entities in the SGR repeal and replace bill that was signed into law.
- This Congress, I introduced bipartisan legislation that seeks to improve the health and lives of our children, our families, and our seniors.
For more information concerning work and views related to Health Care, please contact our office.
More on Health Care
La Crosse, WI – Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind’s bipartisan legislation to fix the problems at the Tomah VA, the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act, passed the House with almost unanimous support. The legislation will now go to the Senate for a vote and then to the President’s desk.
La Crosse, WI – The House and Senate Conference Committee on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act released their final bill late last night. The bill includes Rep. Kind’s legislation, the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act, and will now go on to the House and Senate for a final vote.
La Crosse, WI – Today U.S. Rep. Ron Kind’s bipartisan legislation H.R. 1270, the Restoring Access to Medication Act passed the House. This legislation would restore the ability for Wisconsin families to use the funds in their Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, Health Reimbursement Account, or Archer MSA to purchase over-the-counter medications.
La Crosse, WI – Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (WI-03) co-sponsored two pieces of legislation to provide state and local law enforcement access to additional resources to help those addicted to drugs get the treatment they need instead of being put through an endless cycle of incarceration.
Stevens Point, WI – Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind held a roundtable discussion with State Senator Julie Lassa, Portage and Wood county law enforcement officials and health professionals. They discussed Rep. Kind’s Drug Epidemic Action Plan and the ways that various public and private stakeholders can work together to help solve the problem.
Tomah, WI – Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind attended the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee’s field hearing about the Tomah VA and highlighted the need to continue to work together to pass legislation that will make sure the problems seen there never happen again.
La Crosse, WI – Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind unveiled his comprehensive action plan to address the growing drug epidemic that has been plaguing communities and families across western and central Wisconsin. In putting his plan together, Rep. Kind held discussions with local law enforcement, health care professionals, drug treatment officials, and families of those suffering from addiction.
La Crosse, WI – Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind voted for legislation to make sure that the Department of Veterans Affairs has the funding necessary to provide veterans with quality care, increase access to crisis services, and provide additional transparency and accountability.
“Our men and women in uniform serve with honor, and they deserve the best we can offer. Unfortunately, as we saw first-hand at the Tomah VA last year, they do not always receive the quality care and services they deserve.
La Crosse, WI – Last night, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind’s bipartisan legislation to ensure student athletes and their families have access to educational resources about the possible negative effects of prescription pain medication passed the U.S. House of Representatives.
La Crosse, WI – Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind’s bipartisan legislation, the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act, passed the United States House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support. This legislation is named in honor of Jason Simcakoski, a Wisconsin veteran who tragically lost his life last year, and fixes a number of problems seen at the Tomah VA, including looking into improved pain management practices.