Lubbock Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives advanced House Budget Committee legislation, H.R. 766, the Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventative Health Savings Act (PHSA), to the Senate by a voice vote. The historic accomplishment marks the first time in history that a bipartisan bill with sole Budget Committee jurisdiction has been brought to the Floor under a suspension of the House rules.

House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX), joined by original cosponsors Representatives Dr. Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), released the following statements applauding House passage of H.R. 766:

Chairman Arrington lauded the historic passage of the legislation championed by Budget Health Care Task Force Chair, Dr. Burgess: "Health care costs are the chief debt driver of the federal budget, accounting for more than 1/3 of overall spending, a total that tops nearly $2 trillion dollars of taxpayer funds annually. Even worse, that estimate is projected to almost double over the next decade." Arrington added, "Investment in our nation’s health care innovation has the benefit of being a triple threat for patients everywhere: modernized technologies improve the likelihood of quality outcomes, and increase patient access, while also reducing the fiscal burden for taxpayers." He also highlighted, "One of the major barriers to deploying modernized and innovative policies that would unequivocally curb the cost of health care is the antiquated process used for calculating congressional cost estimates on proposed health care legislation." Chairman Arrington concluded by stating, "Today’s result is a testament of the impact that bipartisanship can have and marks a new chapter for the House Budget Committee."

House Budget Health Care Task Force (HCTF) Chair, Dr. Burgess, further praised the House’s consideration of H.R. 766: "Since 2012, I have been championing this legislation to provide the Congressional Budget Office with the ability to analyze the long-term benefits of preventive health care measures while ensuring that we make informed decisions on future health care policy." Burgess emphasized, "With chronic diseases accounting for over seventy percent of health care spending, this bill will ensure the Congressional Budget Office has access to the necessary tools to calculate the long-term cost saving potentials of preventive health care initiatives." He expressed gratitude towards the Budget Committee, Chairman Arrington, and Congresswoman DeGette for their collaboration in advancing the bill.

Congressional Diabetes Caucus Co-Chair and H.R. 766 Cosponsor, Rep. Diana DeGette, also commented on the legislation: "This legislation will revolutionize how Congress assesses health initiatives by accurately gauging the long-term savings from preventive health programs." DeGette added, "I’m glad to have worked alongside Dr. Burgess on this effort, who shares my commitment to a healthier, more affordable future for all Americans."

Background: The PHSA, championed by HCTF Chair Dr. Burgess and Rep. Diana DeGette, will reform how the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) approaches providing cost estimates on critically important health care legislation by extending the analysis horizon to capture long-term impacts. By providing a more comprehensive assessment of preventive health care measures, policymakers can make more informed decisions on policies that improve the nation's long-term fiscal health.