Hearings to examine the rising cost of health care, focusing on considering meaningful solutions for all Americans.

Committee on Finance

2025-11-19

Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The meeting began with a favorable consideration of several nominations for key government positions [ 00:22:31-00:22:54 ] . However, the primary focus quickly shifted to a robust and often contentious discussion on the rising costs of healthcare in America, particularly the implications of expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies [ 00:26:26-00:32:32 ]

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[ 00:39:11-00:39:24 ]

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. Senators and witnesses debated both immediate and long-term solutions to address the affordability crisis facing millions of Americans [ 00:41:04-00:41:15 ]

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Nominee Confirmations [ 00:22:31 ]

The meeting was convened to consider four nominations: Arjun Modi for Deputy Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Jeffrey Getman for Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Julie Callahan for Chief Agriculture Negotiator at USTR, and March Bell for Inspector General of the US Department of Health and Human Services [ 00:22:31-00:22:54 ] . Senator Crapo expressed support for all nominees, citing their qualifications and experience [ 00:23:45-00:24:51 ] . In contrast, Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that the nominees were selected to further former President Trump's "disastrous" agenda, which he believes has increased costs for working Americans [ 00:26:34-00:32:32 ]

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. Specifically, he criticized Mr. Bell's record on fighting fraud and abuse [ 00:32:41-00:32:53 ]

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, Mr. Modi's potential role in Social Security privatization efforts [ 00:33:22-00:33:33 ]

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, and the trade nominees' inability to lower costs or commit to following the law over partisan orders [ 00:33:46-00:34:55 ]

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Healthcare Affordability Crisis and Expiring ACA Subsidies [ 00:39:11 ]

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A central theme was the escalating cost of healthcare and the impending expiration of enhanced ACA premium tax credits at the end of 2025 [ 00:40:03-00:40:23 ]

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. Several senators highlighted the significant premium increases millions of Americans are facing, with examples of costs doubling, tripling, or even quadrupling . Bartley Armitage, a witness from Oregon, shared his personal story, explaining that his family's monthly premium would increase by 500% from $443 to $2,224 on January 1st, 2026, threatening their retirement savings . Witnesses and senators emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that many people are currently making enrollment decisions for the upcoming year .

Proposed Solutions for Healthcare Costs [ 00:41:04 ]

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Discussions on solutions were highly polarized. Democratic proposals primarily focused on immediately extending the enhanced ACA tax credits to prevent massive premium hikes . Senators Wyden, Bennett, Hassan, Cortez Masto, Warren, Sanders, and Welch argued that this is the only feasible short-term solution to stabilize the market and protect consumers from financial ruin . They also called for reining in insurance company abuses, cracking down on middlemen, and pursuing long-term bipartisan reforms after the immediate crisis is averted . Some, like Senator Sanders, advocated for a universal healthcare system, viewing healthcare as a human right . Republican proposals critiqued the ACA's structure, arguing it drives up costs and favors insurance companies . They suggested solutions like providing financial assistance directly to consumers through Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) [ 00:41:24 ]

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, appropriating cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments to lower premiums , promoting market competition, and expanding affordable, flexible coverage options like short-term limited duration insurance . They also emphasized addressing fraud and improper enrollment within the ACA system .

Role of Insurance Companies and Fraud

Several senators and witnesses raised concerns about the role of insurance companies. Republicans, particularly Dr. Blase, asserted that the ACA's subsidies, especially the COVID-era boosts, have primarily benefited insurers, leading to soaring stock prices and fostering massive fraud and improper enrollment . He cited instances where fully subsidized enrollees were signed up without their knowledge or consent, costing taxpayers billions for unused plans . Democrats, including Senator Wyden, also criticized insurance companies for not paying for coverage, utilizing practices like prior authorization, and for predatory selling of "junk insurance" plans that offer inadequate coverage [ 01:22:56 ]

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Abortion Debate

An underlying issue that emerged was the debate over abortion, with Senator Wyden and Senator Smith claiming that some Republicans are using the healthcare crisis to push for a national ban on private insurance covering abortion care . Senator Smith questioned Mr. Levitas, who confirmed that federal funds cannot currently be used for abortion care under federal law and that an extension of tax credits would not alter this [ 02:01:04 ]

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. This suggests a political dimension to the healthcare discussion beyond just economic and policy concerns .

The tone of the meeting was largely contentious and polarized, marked by deep ideological divisions, especially concerning the Affordable Care Act and its future [ 00:26:30-00:32:32 ]

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. While there were repeated calls for bipartisan cooperation and finding common ground to address healthcare costs, the immediate discussions often devolved into partisan critiques and blame [ 02:35:04 ]

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. Speakers exhibited passion and frustration, particularly when discussing the direct impact of rising premiums on American families . There was a strong sense of urgency regarding the looming expiration of subsidies, contrasted with more theoretical debates about long-term systemic reforms .

Participants

Transcript

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Unknown
The committee will come to order.
We meet today to favorably consider reporting the nominations of Arjun Modi, who is nominated to serve as the Deputy Commissioner for the Social Security Administration.  Jeffrey Getman, who is nominated to serve as the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative.   Julie Callahan, who is nominated to serve as Chief Agriculture Negotiator at the USTR, and March Bell, who is nominated to serve as the Inspector General of the US Department of Health and Human Services.   This morning's meeting will provide members with the opportunity to offer remarks on the nominees.  We will notify members of a time and location later today to conduct the vote off the floor.  And I believe we have agreed, Senator Wyden, that that would be at 2.15 in the president's room.  And then we will vote on the four nominees.   Each of the nominees proved themselves to be well qualified at their hearing.  Mr. Modi highlighted his extensive experience working with congressional leaders to build consensus and find solutions to challenging policy issues.  He will bring the same work ethic and collaborative approach to the Social Security Administration.  Mr. Getman demonstrated his commitment to ensuring the resiliency of U.S. manufacturing supply chains, particularly for small businesses.   I look forward to working with him, if confirmed, to ensure the formulation of trade policy that is both fair and economically sound.  Dr. Callahan brings decades of expertise to the USTR, as reflected by the over 80 trade associations supporting her nomination.  If confirmed as chief agriculture negotiator, she will ensure the important interests of American agriculture are championed   on the world stage.  And lastly, Mr. Bell will utilize his extensive oversight experience if he is confirmed as the Inspector General to fight waste, fraud, and abuse and to help keep Congress abreast of the HHS's steps to save taxpayers' dollars.
I'll be voting in favor of each of the nominees, and I encourage all of my colleagues to do the same.  I now recognize Senator Wyden for his remarks.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.  Today, the committee votes on four more nominees that will be dealing with health and well-being as it relates to the betterment of the American people.  Donald Trump campaigned on lowering costs for the American people, but as families know all across the land, if they go to the grocery store or the doctor's office, the costs are going up.   Whether it's hiking tariffs, gutting energy supply, or letting health insurance premiums skyrocket for millions, Donald Trump's presidency has really been a disaster for the wallets of working Americans.  This committee ought to be focused on finding solutions to bring these costs down.   Instead, Republicans are rubber stamping more nominees to carry out what I think, based on going to a grocery store, which people will do this Thanksgiving holiday, it's a dangerous and expensive proposition when they were told their costs were going to go down.  Mr. Bell is nominated to serve as Inspector General at HHS from day one.   He has been an individual who has not done what's needed to root out fraud and abuse in our government.  After illegally firing nearly all inspector generals, he replaced them with partisan operatives that have gone on to further sabotage independent oversight.  Nothing Mr. Bell has provided to the committee demonstrates to me that he won't be more of the same.   Next is Mr. Arjun Modi, nominated to be deputy commissioner of the Social Security Administration.  His future boss, Frank Bisognano, was given yet another job by Donald Trump, putting him neck and neck for most job titles alongside Marco Rubio.   So, if confirmed, he would be expected to play a much bigger role at Social Security, while his boss takes on the CEO position at IRS.  From the jump, Mr. Bisognano and Donald Trump have worked to undermine the lifeline of Social Security.
What's needed now more than ever is leadership at this crucial position when we're looking at the possibility of privatization that Trump and Bisognano have put us on.   I don't believe that Mr. Modi has made the case that he'll provide that leadership.  Finally, the committee votes today on two more trade nominees.  Julie Callahan is one, chief agricultural negotiator, and Jeff Gutman, deputy at USTR.  It goes without saying that the Trump trade agenda has been a mess.   The tariffs change so much day to day, it makes your head spin.  Farmers, ranchers, and small businesses beg to get off this economic roller coaster.  Meanwhile, families see the cost of their groceries and daily necessities skyrocket.   As the country heads into the holiday season, parents are going to be forced to make some tough choices between how many toys end up under the Christmas tree and paying for other necessities like rent and groceries.  Christmas is about to be a lot slimmer this year, thanks to the tariffs.   What's needed is leadership at USTR that's going to lower costs.  Neither Dr. Callahan nor Mr. Getman has demonstrated that they'll stick up for the American people and farmers and small businesses.  Dr. Callahan is a very experienced trade negotiator.   But I have strong concerns about her failure to commit to this committee during her confirmation that if confirmed, she would follow the law, not a blind order from Donald Trump.  Each of these nominees has been hand-selected by Donald Trump to carry out his agenda.  This committee should be focused on bringing down costs for the public, not confirming more of Trump's nominees will drive them up.  I urge my colleagues to vote no on these nominees.

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