House Republicans strike down amendment to lower health care costs

Today, March 27, State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) proposed an amendment to lower the cost of health care for Hoosiers. Her amendment to Senate Bill 3 would have restored language in the bill that requires health insurance middlemen, including pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), to provide a fiduciary duty for beneficiaries. These middlemen determine coverage and premiums for companies. Campbell's amendment was struck down by the House majority. 

Campbell released the following statement:

“SB 3 provides health care transparency and accountability. But we need to restore the language in the bill that provides fiduciary duties to beneficiaries of employers’ health plans: Hoosiers. This amendment puts Hoosiers first by prioritizing lowering health care costs, not padding the pockets of insurance companies and their shareholders. 

“Fiduciary duties ensure that providers act in the best interest of patients. It means that Hoosiers have access to potentially life-saving medications and services at the lowest available cost. Hoosiers deserve protection from bad actors in the health care industry. It’s time to put people over profit in Indiana. By striking down this amendment, the majority voted to leave Hoosiers out in the cold.

“The majority blocked an opportunity to provide much-needed savings for people who are drowning in health care expenses.”