The U.S. House advanced a health care bill Wednesday introduced by Iowa Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act passed 213 to 209, with only one Republican voting against it.
Miller-Meeks says the bill would lower premiums by 11%, reform Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and give small businesses more say in health benefits through Association Health Plans. The bill does not address subsidies for the Affordable Care Act that expire at the end of the year. Nearly 137,000 Iowans receive assistance through the ACA, also known as Obamacare.
If those subsidies expire, the research group KFF expects insurance premiums to increase significantly — potentially doubling for some people. The vote came as some moderate Republicans signed a Democratic petition to extend the ACA subsidies separately. The legislation still must pass the Senate.
