Representative Katie Porter (D-CA) and House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today announced the introduction of H.R. 2376, which will extend federal employee health benefits (FEHB) to employees of Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). “Tribal education and health care professionals are essential workers, who… Read more »

Reps. Katie Porter (D-CA) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) reintroduced a bipartisan bill to remove a major obstacle to care for seniors who wish to age at home. The Homecare for Seniors Act would allow older Americans to use their own money in Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to pay for homecare services.  “Congress should empower seniors to live with dignity, whether they choose to age at… Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA) today released a report documenting how Big Pharma has set prices for new drugs higher and higher to line its pockets. The report, “Skyrocketing: How Big Pharma Exploits Launch Prices to Cash in on Cancer,” analyzes pricing and spending data to expose how the prices of newly launched cancer drugs put patients and taxpayers at risk. “Our report… Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Katie Porter today introduced legislation to help patients and government watchdogs evaluate the quality of private health insurance plans provided through Medicare. The Medicare Advantage Consumer Protection and Transparency Act, co-led by Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), improves data collection and holds… Read more »

WASHINGTON—The House of Representatives today passed legislation from Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA) to improve insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatment for firefighters, public school teachers, police, and other frontline workers. The House approved provisions from Congresswoman Porter’s Closing Health Coverage Gaps for Public Servants Act, co-led by… Read more »

The pharmaceutical industry has drawn strong criticism over the past decade for driving up the prices of prescription drugs. Although Big Pharma executives and supporters argue that these price hikes are necessary in order to sustain research and development (R&D), i.e. innovation to help the development of new medications, not everyone agrees with that rationalization. According to… Read more »

Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA) today released the following statement following the passage of the Affordable Insulin Now Act: "I voted to lower the cost of insulin for millions of families, but today’s bill leaves far too many Americans behind. Telling insurers what to charge will not address the corporate price gouging that leaves patients unable to afford the drugs they need. We… Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA), along with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), today introduced legislation that would improve insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorders treatment for frontline workers. The Closing Health Coverage Gaps for Public Servants Act would require that certain… Read more »

IRVINE—On Wednesday, March 9, 2022, Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA) will join U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra for a roundtable discussion on local efforts to expand mental health care for Orange County families. Porter, a consistent advocate for improved mental health services, will give brief remarks on how Congress can strengthen the mental health and crisis… Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA) today reintroduced legislation that would protect patients from reductions in insurance coverage during public health emergencies. The Patients Before Profits Act, co-led by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), would prevent insurers from renegotiating contracts or decreasing reimbursement rates for doctors… Read more »