WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) is joining Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) to reintroduce the Preventive Health Savings Act, which would direct the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to more accurately research the cost-savings that come from preventive health care. The bipartisan legislation also would allow congressional leaders of relevant committees to request an analysis of preventive measures extending beyond the existing 10-year window for two additional 10-year periods – allowing Congress to consider longer-term impacts of legislation designed to create fiscal savings over an extended period of time.

“Catching and treating a disease early can avoid health problems getting worse, in addition to major expenses – but first, we have to change our mindset and embrace the long-term benefits of preventive care,” said Senator King. “That shift should start in Congress.  Currently, the Congressional Budget Office only measures the financial effects of preventive health programs in a narrow ten-year window; as a result, these estimates miss out on substantial savings that come twenty or thirty years down the road. If we really want to measure the financial and physical benefits of preventive care, it is vital that we start looking further ahead to find the legislation that will pave the way for long-term, cost-effective solutions rather than prioritizing short-term savings. This bipartisan legislation will encourage the preventive care that can help Americans across the country improve their health and avoid costly medical bills.”

The Preventive Health Savings Act would define preventive health as “an action designed to avoid future health care costs that is demonstrated by credible and publicly available epidemiological projection models, incorporating clinical trials or observational studies in humans, longitudinal studies, and meta-analysis.” This narrow and responsible approach encourages a sensible review of health policy that Congress believes will promote public health. It will make it easier for us to invest in proven methods of life-saving disease prevention, such as cancer screening, vaccination, and community intervention, which will reduce long-term medical costs through improved health.

Senator King is a champion for prevention policies across the board – including advocating for the advantages and financial benefits of proactive and preventive healthcare. He has introduced the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act, which would require private insurance plans to cover three annual primary care visits and three annual outpatient mental health or outpatient substance use disorder treatment visits, without charging a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible-related fee. Additionally, he has introduced the Preventive Home Visits Act, which would provide Medicare coverage for qualified care providers to assess the safety of seniors’ homes, and the Wellness and Education for Longer Lives (WELL) for Seniors Act, which would improve Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit to encourage seniors and their physicians to work together and confront health issues before they become more serious.  

In October 2019, Senator King hosted a prevention-focused panel discussion in Bangor with local healthcare providers and public wellness experts on the best ways to use prevention strategies to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. In November 2019, Senator King introduced the Primary Care Patient Protection Act to allow consumers enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHP) to be covered for two yearly visits to primary care physicians. In May 2019, Senator King introduced the Preventive Health Savings Act, which would direct the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to more accurately reflect the cost-savings of preventive healthcare, including health screenings.

A broad coalition of over 120 organizations support the Preventive Health Savings Act, including Alzheimer’s Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans, American Diabetes Association, American Medical Association, American Pharmacists Association, National Restaurant Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.