Defeated Sen. Cassidy, After Opposing Trump Nominees, Urges President to Tackle Medical Debt on Senate Floor
The Louisiana Republican urged the president to engage on health care costs during a Wednesday speech, citing rising bankruptcies tied to medical bills.
The HillSen. Bill Cassidy spoke on the Senate floor on Wednesday and called on President Trump to address medical debt. He said 60 percent of personal bankruptcies stem from medical bills and that monthly costs continue to increase debt for the average American.
Cassidy said Congress must act but can only succeed if the executive branch engages. “Now, Mr. President, I'm speaking to you just for a second, I'm speaking to President Trump, Mr. President, Mr. President Trump, get engaged,” he said, his voice escalating.
The senator urged President Trump to invite him to the White House to discuss the issue. He also held up a credit card while describing Americans who put medical expenses on cards and pay 22 percent interest because they lack funds in their accounts.
Cassidy released a Money and Value for Patients agenda in April that seeks to expand TrumpRx and direct funds to patients rather than insurance companies.
He said hospitals and insurance companies are doing well while consumers, patients, employees, and employers face higher premiums. Cassidy lost the GOP Senate primary election almost three weeks before the speech. He opposed President Trump’s nomination of Casey Means as surgeon general, noting Means was tapped despite not having an active medical license.
Cassidy also clashed with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over reducing required childhood vaccinations. President Trump endorsed a primary challenger for Cassidy after those disputes.
“We may have differences,” Cassidy said of the president. He added he shares no difference with anyone who wants to help Americans facing medical expenses. In January, President Trump unveiled The Great Healthcare Plan, which urges Congress to codify agreements with drug companies to lower prices of certain prescriptions, increase availability of over-the-counter medicines, and direct subsidies to individuals rather than insurance companies.
Cassidy did not mention the plan in his speech.
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