Fix Health Care Policy

Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA). (Photo: James Berglie/Zuma Press/Newscom)

Retiring House Ways and Mean Health Care Subcommittee chairman Wally Herger (R–CA) has introduced the most complete and detailed major Medicare reform proposal in a decade.

Herger leaves a rich legacy with the Save and Strengthen Medicare Act (H.R. 6645). The bill moves Medicare to a defined-contribution model with competition between traditional fee-for-service Medicare and private insurance companies. Many of its provisions are closely aligned to Heritage’s Medicare reform outlined in Saving the American Dream.

Herger’s legislation would protect and enhance Medicare for low-income beneficiaries by offering them a more generous benefit, and it would protect future beneficiaries by making Medicare more financially sustainable. The act contains changes to traditional Medicare, but it also clearly lays out a transition to premium support with the federal contribution eventually based on the minimum bid from both private insurers and traditional fee-for-service.

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Tags: enhance, Medicare, premium support, private insurance, protect, Rep. Wally Herger, Save and Strengthen Medicare Act, traditional fee-for-service