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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) introduced health and energy amendments to Democrats’ “Inflation Expansion Act.”

“The mislabeled Inflation Reduction Act will not reduce inflation, but it will raise taxes in a recession, result in fewer medical cures coming to market, and allow money to be taken from Medicare to pay for Obamacare subsidies for American households making up to $304,000. As the Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce’s Health Subcommittee, I’m pushing back against these provisions in order to protect access to Medicare services and lifesaving medical innovation.

“My first health amendment would prevent Democrats from taking Medicare savings out of Medicare, which is at risk of insolvency, to use it for propping up Obamacare subsidies and other programs.

“While Democrats are pushing government price setting for prescription drugs, they do not tell the American people that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates this will result in 15 fewer cures coming to market, which could be cures for cancers, Alzheimer’s, or other devastating diseases. My amendment would prohibit the federal government from price setting if it will result in at least 10 fewer cures or devices coming to market. I also introduced the Lower Costs, More Cures Act as an amendment to lower insulin and other drug costs for Americans without sacrificing lifesaving innovation. To further reduce drug costs, I introduced another amendment that would redesign Medicare Part D to lower monthly drug costs for seniors and cap what seniors pay annually for their prescriptions.

“Finally, I put forward an energy amendment to protect our nation’s military installations from the new energy tax. Americans have had to cut back and make tough financial decisions due to record high gas prices under the Biden Administration. While I’m voting no on the ‘Inflation Expansion Act’ to protect all Americans from this energy tax, I’m also including this amendment to shield our military installations, including Fort Knox, from having to divert more money for energy costs that can be used on other critical parts of their missions,” said Guthrie.

Background on Amendments:

Protecting Access to Medicare Services

The Medicare Board of Trustees estimates that the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, which funds Medicare Part A, could go insolvent as early as 2028. The “Inflation Expansion Act” allows savings from Medicare to be used for Obamacare subsidies for American households making up to $304,000. This amendment would prohibit Medicare savings to be taken out of Medicare. Click HERE to view the amendment.

Protecting Lifesaving Medical Innovation

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that 15 fewer drugs would come to market over next 30 years as a direct result of the “Inflation Expansion Act.” This amendment would prohibit the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary from implementing price controls if these controls would result in at least 10 fewer drugs and devices coming to market. Click HERE to view the amendment.

The Lower Costs, More Cures Act (Medicare Parts B and D)

This amendment would introduce the Lower Costs, More Cures Act that applies to Medicare Parts B and D. Without sacrificing lifesaving medical innovation, this amendment would lower drug costs by promoting competition, capping out-of-pocket expenses in Medicare Part D, and increasing transparency by giving seniors more information on the true costs of their medications. This amendment would also cap monthly insulin costs for seniors and allow employers to pay for insulin and insulin supplies pre-deductible for employees with High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP). Click HERE to view the amendment.

Medicare Part D Benefit Redesign

This amendment would provide an annual cap on what seniors pay for prescription medications and reduce prices patients pay for Medicare Part D drugs. Click HERE to view the amendment.

Shield Military Installations from Methane Tax

This amendment would exempt military installations, such as Fort Knox, and their energy resilience programs from the methane tax included in “Inflation Expansion Act.” By exempting the Department of Defense from this tax, this amendment would ensure that the U.S. military continues to have reliable access to energy, and it ultimately reinforces national security. Click HERE to view the amendment.

Democrats refused to consider Guthrie’s amendments or any other amendments at the Rules Committee today.

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