Dear friend,

I regularly hear from constituents about how the staggering cost of healthcare prevents them from having the coverage and care they need. That’s why, throughout my time in Congress, I’ve fought to make quality care cheaper and easier to get for Orange County families. For older Americans, that means being able to count on securing Medicare coverage. That’s why I introduced legislation to fix a flawed rule that raises healthcare costs for those who qualify for Medicare but delay enrolling.


This week, I introduced legislation that would reduce healthcare costs for seniors by capping penalties for delayed Medicare enrollment.

Medicare Part B insurance covers outpatient care, home healthcare, certain medical equipment, and some preventive services. Some Americans don’t need Part B coverage when they become eligible at age 65, so many defer their benefits without knowing they’ll be penalized for it. I recently heard from an Orange County resident who was working abroad at a college that provided medical insurance. When he sought Part B coverage once he was home, he learned he would pay a penalty on his monthly premium for the rest of his life. Hundreds of thousands of American families feel this same burden, which often comes as a surprise.

My bipartisan Medicare Economic Security Solutions Act would cap the unfair late enrollment penalty and limit how long it can be applied for. It would also lift penalties for certain groups, including veterans, making healthcare more affordable for our seniors.

Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve fought to reduce the costs of healthcare. Last June, I introduced the Patients Before Profits Act to bar insurance companies from renegotiating contracts during an ongoing public health emergency. In September, I introduced the No Surprise Bills for New Moms Act to simplify the process for enrolling newborns in health coverage. I'm excited to continue to work on these issues in this new Congress on your behalf.

I know that navigating our healthcare system can be challenging, and I’ll continue fighting in Congress to make it easier for all Orange County families to get high-quality coverage. To stay up to date on how I’m representing you and California’s 45th district, please follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @RepKatiePorter.


Very truly yours,

Katie Porter
Member of Congress