[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 116 (Thursday, July 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E905-E906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2019

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 2019

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce the 
Chronic Disease Management Act of 2019, which would permit high-
deductible health plans to provide chronic disease prevention services 
to plan enrollees prior to satisfying their plan deductible.
  According to a 2017 Rand Corporation study, 90 percent of the United 
States' $3.3 trillion in annual health expenditures are for people with 
chronic and mental health conditions. Approximately 60 percent of the 
cost is paid by public sources: Medicare, Medicaid, and other U.S. 
federal and state health programs. The Partnership to Fight Chronic 
Disease estimates that by 2030, 83 million people in the U.S. will have 
three or more chronic health conditions, up from 31 million in 2015. 
Preventing chronic diseases, or managing symptoms when prevention is 
not possible, can reduce these costs.
  Currently, the cost of chronic care services often prevents 
individuals who have a chronic disease and high deductible health plan 
from seeking care. Many Americans struggle, particularly at the 
beginning of the year, when they have to pay out of pocket until they 
have met their deductible.
  My legislation would address this problem by allowing health savings 
account eligible high deductible health plans to provide beneficiary 
coverage of chronic disease management care before reaching their 
deductible limit. My bill would lower costs for people living with 
chronic conditions by providing pre-deductible coverage of services 
critical in fending off the progression of chronic illness. That is why 
I am proud to sponsor the Chronic Disease Management Act of 2019, and I 
urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of this important piece 
of legislation.

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