MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall said he is optimistic Congress can advance legislation aimed at lowering healthcare costs by requiring providers to disclose prices up front while also highlighting efforts to provide additional assistance to farmers and strengthen election integrity during an interview Thursday.
Marshall said the Senate committee on which he serves approved his healthcare price transparency bill with bipartisan support, calling it one of his top legislative priorities after working on the proposal for nearly a decade.
The legislation would require healthcare providers to disclose prices before patients receive care and provide itemized billing, rather than leaving patients to face unexpected charges after treatment.
Marshall compared the proposal to shopping in a grocery store.
"You deserve price tags, not surprise billing," he said, arguing the measure would create competition among providers and help reduce healthcare costs for consumers.
He said prices for identical procedures can vary dramatically between providers, citing examples of MRIs and hip replacement surgeries, and argued that greater transparency would allow patients to make more informed decisions.
Marshall said he hopes the legislation reaches the Senate floor before next year's midterm elections.
"The number one issue back home is the cost of living," he said, adding that healthcare and housing have seen some of the largest cost increases.
The senator also discussed the impact of rising fuel and fertilizer prices on agriculture, saying a reconciliation package approved by the U.S. House includes an additional $12 billion in assistance for farmers.
Marshall said higher input costs tied to tensions in the Middle East continue to affect producers and noted the legislation also includes increased funding for crop insurance and other agricultural programs.
On election policy, Marshall voiced support for voter identification requirements and proof of citizenship measures, saying he believes election integrity is essential to maintaining public confidence.
He said Kansas already requires voter identification but wants to see similar requirements adopted nationwide. Marshall criticized Senate Democrats for opposing federal election security proposals and said he would like to see separate votes on voter ID, proof of citizenship and mail ballot safeguards.
Marshall also addressed concerns about the federal budget deficit, saying balancing the budget remains one of his highest priorities while acknowledging the challenge of reducing spending.
"We're spending a trillion dollars a year on interest alone," Marshall said, noting that many organizations continue to seek additional federal funding even as lawmakers work to reduce the national debt.