Senator Bill Cassidy , MD , R - TX has put forward a series of proposals that he hopes will bring about a reduction in health care costs . The primary target of the proposal is transparency in drug pricing and elective medical care . The move comes at a time when health insurance premiums are rising along with the cost of care , and the senator has described the system ‘ unaffordable and unsustainable . ’ Cassidy currently serves on the Senate health and finance committees and has also endorsed short - term insurance plans , health savings accounts ( HSAs ) , while also combining Medicaid expansion ##s and individual marketplace risk pools . Transparency , however , is at the core of the plan to allow patients to assess prices before they choose their medical services . That’s what these ideas I’m outlining are intended to do.” To this end , it calls for an end to pharmacy gag clauses , allowing Medicare to pay no more than the lowest - price drug in a class and pegging new medicines to an international number . Within the proposals is also a call for Congress to promote lower - cost care settings , such as ambulatory surgery centers , free - standing emergency rooms , and rural emergency centers . In addition , Cassidy declares the need for research into social determinants of health disparities and the consolidation of health care .
Senator Bill Cassidy , MD , R - TX has put forward a series of proposals that he hopes will bring about a reduction in health care costs . The primary target of the proposal is transparency in drug pricing and elective medical care . The move comes at a time when health insurance premiums are rising along with the cost of care , and the senator has described the system ‘ unaffordable and unsustainable . ’ Cassidy currently serves on the Senate health and finance committees and has also endorsed short - term insurance plans , health savings accounts ( HSAs ) , while also combining Medicaid expansion ##s and individual marketplace risk pools . Transparency , however , is at the core of the plan to allow patients to assess prices before they choose their medical services . To this end , it calls for an end to pharmacy gag clauses , allowing Medicare to pay no more than the lowest - price drug in a class and pegging new medicines to an international number . Within the proposals is also a call for Congress to promote lower - cost care settings , such as ambulatory surgery centers , free - standing emergency rooms , and rural emergency centers . In addition , Cassidy declares the need for research into social determinants of health disparities and the consolidation of health care .