Buchanan Introduces Bipartisan Bill Expanding Chronic Disease Insurance Coverage

Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) is introducing bipartisan legislation with Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) to expand treatment options for chronic diseases via workplace health insurance.

Named the "Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage" Act, Rep. Buchanan's bill allows employers that offer high-deductible health plans (HDHP) to employees an option to include pre-deductible coverage of healthcare services treating common chronic diseases, a policy first implemented in President Donald Trump's first term in 2019.

Healthcare services listed in Rep. Buchanan's legislation include beta blockers for congestive heart failure, blood pressure monitors, glucometers for diabetes, asthma inhalers, and cholesterol drugs for heart disease patients.

In his press release, the Florida Congressman said, "With six in ten Americans living with at least one chronic disease, it is clear that we must give people more options to better manage their chronic health conditions."

As a result, Buchanan stressed how "The Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act offers employees more flexibility to manage their chronic diseases, improving patient health while reducing costly hospitalizations."

Similarly, Rep. Panetta emphasized, "Expanding access to affordable and effective treatments for chronic diseases is critical to the health and pocketbooks of families throughout California’s 19th Congressional District."

"The Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act would give employers the flexibility to provide pre-deductible coverage for essential treatments, ensuring that employees can better manage their health without being burdened by high out-of-pocket costs. This bipartisan effort is a step forward in improving care, lowering costs, and enhancing the quality of life for millions of Americans," Rep. Panetta continued.

Buchanan had previously introduced another healthcare-related bill in late January that strengthens research and development efforts between the United States and Israel through measures such as support for "innovation hubs" designed to speed up research into new healthcare technologies for development and commercialization, bolster intellectual property protections of biological products and telemedicine infrastructure between the U.S. and Israel, and facilitate hospital cybersecurity improvement, disease prevention measures, and exchange/training programs.