Barrett announces second package of bills to make health care affordable again

These HSA reforms would bring Michigan closer to cutting Medicaid middlemen for patients/clinicians to thrive. (Taxpayers, too.)

Bill text is pending.

https://greatlakeswire.com/barrett-announces-second-package-of-bills-to-make-health-care-affordable-again/

Barrett announces second package of bills to make health care affordable again

Great Lakes Wire    |    Apr 20, 2026

Congressman Tom Barrett announced on Apr. 20 a new set of legislative proposals aimed at lowering health care costs and increasing transparency for patients. The announcement marks the unveiling of the second package under his Blueprint for a Better America, focusing on making health care more affordable.

The proposed legislation is intended to address ongoing concerns about high medical expenses faced by Michigan residents and others across the country. Barrett said, “Michigan patients are sick and tired of paying too much to see a doctor and get the treatment and medicine they need.” He added that large insurance companies profit while families face rising premiums and unclear pricing structures.

Barrett joined Representative Eric Burlison in introducing the Great American Healthcare Plan (H.R. 8324), which seeks several reforms: expanding access to tax-free Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) by removing restrictions and increasing contribution limits; broadening eligible HSA expenses to include insurance premiums, healthy food, vitamins, and fitness-related costs; strengthening federal price transparency requirements by mandating hospitals and insurers disclose actual prices in clear terms; enabling certain healthcare professionals such as physician assistants or pharmacists to dispense low-risk medicines without physician oversight; creating marketplace pools for small businesses to provide better insurance options for employees; and ensuring fair reimbursement through Medicare Part B for expensive cancer treatments.

Barrett also co-sponsored the Every Dollar Counts Act (H.R. 8270), which would require insurers to count all patient spending on prescription drugs toward deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums regardless of where medications are purchased. This measure aims to help patients shop for more affordable prescriptions rather than being limited by network restrictions.

These two bills follow an earlier six-bill package from Barrett designed to expand HSAs further, prevent insurance fraud, ensure competitive prescription drug pricing compared with other countries, allow working seniors continued HSA contributions, improve insurer spending ratios on health care services, and enhance Medicare customer service.

Barrett’s Blueprint outlines broader goals beyond health care affordability—such as restoring trust in government operations, helping families afford homes in Mid-Michigan, recalibrating foreign policy priorities toward peace initiatives—and positions these legislative efforts within a larger vision for reform.