Dive Brief:
- Hillary Clinton is sending the message on her campaign trail that the debate over health insurance is over, but the goal now is to reign in consumers' healthcare costs.
- Her proposals would expand the Affordable Care Act, which she is attempting to preserve against attacks from Republicans and as well as a call for its replacement with universal coverage by rival Bernie Sanders.
- Experts note the majority of Clinton's proposals would require new legislation, which would be unlikely to fly under the current Republican-led Congress.
Dive Insight:
Clinton is fighting a dual battle against increasing drug prices and covered healthcare enrollees' out of pocket costs.
Among her most recent proposals:
- A prescription drug cap;
- A guarantee that all Americans get three doctor visits annually that don't count against their insurance plan deductible; and
- A refundable tax credit to help offset enrollees' other out-of-pocket medical costs.
“When Americans get sick, high costs shouldn’t prevent them from getting better,” Clinton said in a prepared statement. “With deductibles rising so much faster than incomes, we must act to reduce the out-of-pocket costs families face."