Manatee Review

On March 4, 2025, Congressman Vern Buchanan announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed his proposed legislation, the Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act (H.R. 919). The bill aims to broaden healthcare coverage options for Americans with chronic diseases through employer-provided plans.

Buchanan, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chair of the Health Subcommittee, emphasized the importance of expanding options for managing chronic health conditions. "With six in ten Americans living with at least one chronic disease, it is clear that we must expand options for people to manage their chronic health conditions," said Buchanan. He added that the legislation "offers employees more flexibility to manage their chronic diseases, improving patient health while reducing high out-of-pocket costs."

The act permits employers offering high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to include pre-deductible coverage for specific healthcare services treating common chronic illnesses. This measure codifies a policy from the Trump Administration established in 2019.

Under this bill, employers can offer pre-deductible coverage for 14 types of chronic healthcare services within an HDHP framework. Services covered include beta-blockers for congestive heart failure patients, blood pressure monitors for those with high blood pressure, glucometers for diabetes patients, inhalers for asthma sufferers, and cholesterol drugs and testing for individuals with heart disease. The legislation also allows room to expand this list as necessary.

Despite its passage in the House during the 118th Congress with unanimous bipartisan support, the Senate has yet to vote on it.

Numerous organizations back this legislation including the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), National Small Business Association (NSBA), Primary Care Collaborative (PCC), American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), American Benefits Council, Smarter Health Care Coalition, Alliance to Fight for Health Care, Health Savings Account Council and American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM).

Buchanan holds significant roles within Congress as both Vice Chairman and senior Republican member on the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee while also leading its Health Subcommittee which oversees various Medicare programs.