Washington DC – Rep. Kathy McMorris Rogers (WA-05) of Eastern Washington today led the House Energy and Commerce Committee to reduce health care costs and increase transparency, strengthen America’s energy supply and hinder broadband deployment. passed a package of 19 bills aimed at removing barriers
click here Or click the image above to read Cathy’s opening statement.
Improving medical price transparency
The commission promoted a bill of six bills called the “Patients Act,” led by Kathy. This measure would reduce healthcare costs, increase price transparency for patients, responsibly fund community health centers, prevent harmful cuts to hospitals serving vulnerable patients, It trains more doctors. Serve in eastern Washington.
Kathy said of reducing healthcare costs and increasing transparency:
“Patients are frustrated. The system should be simpler, more transparent and more affordable.
“We spend a higher share of our economy on healthcare than any other developed country.
“And what Americans pay for is a bureaucratic and overburdened system.
“They see companies responsible for providing and paying for health care hiding costs, refusing to pay for treatment, and going to great lengths to overwhelm patients with complexity.
“What we are doing here today will not solve all the problems of the health system.
“I said this was just the first step in addressing the problems we face.
“But we can be proud of the meaningful bipartisan policies contained in this amendment that will reduce costs and improve transparency for patients.”
Bridging the digital divide
The Commission will also focus resources on rural and underserved areas, remove barriers to implementation, streamline permitting processes, and free up private investment to make government faster, more efficient, and less wasteful. Marked up and promoted seven bills to introduce broadband. These bills are aimed at closing the digital divide in areas like rural eastern Washington, where internet access is still lacking because maps are outdated and resources have not been allocated to truly underserved areas. Extremely important.
On bridging the digital divide, Cathy said:
“High-speed broadband is an important part of our economy, but many Americans, including those in eastern Washington, do not have access to reliable broadband.
“To deploy broadband, providers must go through tedious permitting processes at the federal, state and local levels, and obtaining permit approval can take months or years.
“Congress has spent an unprecedented amount (over $42 billion) for broadband deployment.
“If we don’t reform the permitting process, this money could go to waste.
“Our legislation eliminates red tape and ensures that this money reaches rural and underserved Americans quickly.
“While we are bipartisanly advancing some of these bills, we regret that our colleagues across the aisle have not joined other solutions.
“Either way, we are moving forward to serve the American people.”
Strengthening America’s Energy
Finally, Kathy led a committee to promote six bills to protect consumer choice and strengthen America’s energy security. One of these bills, the Save Our Gas Stoves Act, prohibits the U.S. Department of Energy’s ban on gas stoves, polarizing the Biden administration and Governor Inslee, who have sought to deprive consumers of choice and home appliances. It is a counterattack to go too far. It serves as a lifeline for many homes in eastern Washington during a weather power outage.
In addition, the committee promoted the Russian uranium import ban introduced by Cathy. The bill would strengthen and protect America’s energy by eliminating Russia’s dependence on nuclear fuel and enhancing its ability to develop supplies on the U.S. mainland by banning Russian imports of uranium. It is.
Kathy speaks about strengthening America’s energy security and protecting consumer electronics freedom.
“We will then move on to solutions from the Telecommunications and Technology Subcommittee to close the digital divide and ease the burden of permitting so that governments are less wasteful and can roll out broadband faster and more efficiently.
“On the energy front, we continue our mission to make energy more affordable and strengthen America’s energy security.
“Nuclear power is an important part of our nation’s energy mix, and the United States is now dangerously dependent on Russia to supply nuclear fuel for our existing nuclear power plants.
“My law, the Russian Uranium Import Ban Act, prohibits fuel imports from Russia and sends a strong signal to the market that it will help restore U.S. nuclear leadership and fuel infrastructure.
“We will also consider two bills by Rep. Leskoe and Rep. Armstrong that would block the Department of Energy and CPSC’s blanket ban on gas stoves.
“The Biden administration is using federal power to control every aspect of our lives, from what cars we can drive to how Americans are allowed to cook meals for their families. trying to determine
“If celebrity chefs were exempt from the local Democrats’ ban on natural gas stoves in Palo Alto, every hardworking person in this country would be able to decide for themselves which stoves to put in their kitchens. I think we can all agree today.”
Note: These 19 bills may now move to the House floor for a vote.
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