Warner-Led Health Package Passes: Lowering Costs, Expanding Telehealth & Protecting Virginia Healthcare
- A bipartisan health package recently passed by Congress aims to address rising healthcare costs and improve access to care, with a significant focus on priorities for the state...
- Senator Warner emphasized the urgent need for these changes, stating, “As premiums and out-of-pocket costs continue to rise, Virginians and folks across the country are struggling to afford...
- The package significantly expands access to telehealth services, a trend that has grown in importance in recent years.
Bipartisan Health Package Advances Key Priorities for Virginians and Beyond
A bipartisan health package recently passed by Congress aims to address rising healthcare costs and improve access to care, with a significant focus on priorities for the state of Virginia. The legislation, championed by Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA), includes provisions to expand telehealth services, lower prescription drug costs, protect rural healthcare access, and advance research into critical health issues.
Senator Warner emphasized the urgent need for these changes, stating, “As premiums and out-of-pocket costs continue to rise, Virginians and folks across the country are struggling to afford health care coverage.” He acknowledged that further work remains to ensure affordable care for all working families, but expressed pride in the bipartisan effort to address several key areas.
Expanding Telehealth Access
The package significantly expands access to telehealth services, a trend that has grown in importance in recent years. Medicare telehealth flexibilities will be extended for two years, allowing continued remote access to care for beneficiaries. The legislation also directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop best practices for accessible telehealth services and to assist healthcare providers in utilizing telehealth for screening for medication-induced movement disorders. Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services can now be provided via telehealth for Medicare patients in and .
Lowering Prescription Drug Costs
Addressing the high cost of prescription drugs is a central component of the legislation. Several provisions target Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), aiming to increase transparency and accountability in drug pricing. The Patients Before Middlemen Act and the Senate Finance Committee’s PBM Price Transparency and Accountability Act are included, requiring Medicare drug plans and PBMs to allow any willing pharmacy to participate in-network and prohibiting PBMs from linking fees to drug prices. These measures are intended to protect access to pharmacies and ensure that PBMs provide value to Medicare.
The PBM Reporting Transparency Act further enhances accountability by requiring information about contracts between PBMs and Medicare prescription drug plans to be made public.
Protecting Rural Healthcare
Recognizing the challenges faced by rural healthcare facilities, the legislation includes measures to protect access to essential services. The Keeping Obstetrics Local Act requires State Medicaid programs to study the costs of providing maternity care in rural hospitals and those serving a high proportion of Medicaid beneficiaries, with the goal of informing strategies to maintain these vital services. The Rural Hospital Support Act extends critical Medicare programs that increase payments to certain rural hospitals for one year. The Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act extends add-on payments for ground ambulance services, particularly benefiting rural areas, for two years.
Advancing Maternal Health and Pediatric Cancer Research
The legislation prioritizes maternal health by reauthorizing support for State-based maternal mortality review committees through . It also directs HHS to disseminate best practices for maternal mortality prevention to hospitals and healthcare professionals. The Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act aims to reduce preventable maternal deaths and improve outcomes for mothers, and newborns.
Significant investment is also directed towards pediatric cancer research and treatment. The Give Kids a Chance Act provides the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with authority to require pediatric cancer trials for drugs used in combination therapies and extends the FDA priority review voucher program through to incentivize the development of drugs for rare pediatric diseases.
Addressing Diabetes and Other Health Concerns
The PREVENT DIABETES Act authorizes the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) Expanded Model to include virtual-only programs through , expanding access to diabetes prevention resources. The reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program for Type 1 Diabetes will continue research efforts aimed at preventing and curing type 1 diabetes for another year.
The legislation also addresses the mental health of healthcare providers through the reauthorization of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act, recognizing the importance of supporting those on the front lines of healthcare. The 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025 updates the funding formula for the World Trade Center Health Program through .
Improving Access for Children
The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act aims to improve access to out-of-state care for children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by streamlining the provider enrollment process. The PREEMIE Reauthorization Act continues efforts to address preterm birth and infant mortality through .
This comprehensive health package represents a significant step towards addressing critical healthcare challenges and improving the health and well-being of individuals and families across the nation, with a particular emphasis on the needs of Virginians.