Reps. Katie Porter (D-CA) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today introduced legislation to help prevent overcharges for prescription drugs. While insurance copays often significantly decrease the cost of a medication, it is sometimes cheaper for a patient to pay without insurance. The Lowest Price for Patients Act will set a simple standard: no patient can be charged a copay for a drug… Read more »

Today, Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), the top Democrat on the Oversight Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services, reintroduced legislation to help patients hold insurers accountable for wrongfully denying coverage for health care services. The Justice for Patients Act, co-led by Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), would protect patients’ access… Read more »

Reps. Katie Porter (D-CA), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) today announced the reintroduction of the Mental Health Justice Act of 2023 with 48 of their colleagues. The Mental Health Justice Act would help states, tribes, and localities establish mental health responder units to support individuals in crisis. Sen. Warren plans to introduce… Read more »

Dear Friend, During the last three months of each year, Americans can update their health insurance coverage through Medicare. This year, the annual open enrollment period began on October 15, 2023. From now until December 7, 2023, Americans who are at least 65 years old can enroll in a Medicare plan or make changes to their existing coverage.  Traditional Medicare is health… Read more »

Dear Neighbor, California has its own health insurance marketplace, Covered California, where you can shop for and enroll in health insurance. This year, the annual open enrollment period began on November 1, 2023. From now until January 31, 2024, Californians can enroll in a health insurance plan or make changes to their existing coverage.  If you are unable to get health… Read more »

As Congress grapples with the country’s ongoing mental health crisis, Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., is hoping a bill she has championed since her first term will finally make it across the finish line. The measure aims to reduce police killings of individuals with severe mental illness by creating a grant program for mental health provider first responder units that can be deployed during… Read more »

Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) reintroduced bicameral legislation to protect patients from the long-term financial harms of high health care costs. Despite medical debt being an unreliable indicator of creditworthiness, it appears on the credit reports of tens of millions of American households. The Medical Debt Relief Act would ban all medical… Read more »

Today, Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), the top Democrat on the Oversight Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services, and Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) introduced a bipartisan bill that would help prevent another infant formula crisis.  The Safeguarding Kids and Families from Critical Food Shortages Act would require formula manufacturers to report to the Food and Drug… Read more »

WASHINGTON—Baby-formula manufacturers would be required to notify regulators about contamination in their products in a wider range of circumstances, under bipartisan legislation introduced Tuesday. The legislation is aimed at preventing and quickly halting any future outbreaks of cronobacter, the bacteria that sickened four babies and fueled last year’s shortage. The bill from the top… Read more »

Dear Friend, When you have a physical health problem, you go to a doctor for treatment. Mental health is no different. Just like physical illness, mental illness can be far reaching and require medication and other medical treatment.  Young people across the country are experiencing a mental health crisis, with reports of up to 44% of college students suffering from depression and… Read more »