Rep. Schrier’s Medicare Vision Act Passes Committee as Part of Build Back Better Act

ISSAQUAH, WA – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) announced today that several of her priorities have been included in the Energy and Commerce Committee's portion of the Build Back Better Act. The Energy and Commerce Committee held a meeting over the last three days to pass its section of the bill which will lower health care costs, strengthen vaccine confidence, expand Medicare vision coverage, combat climate change, improve access to high-speed internet, and bolster clean energy infrastructure.

"As a mom and pediatrician, I believe we owe it to our children and grandchildren to act responsibly. Our country continues to face twin crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change," said Rep. Schrier. "That's why I am glad that the Build Back BetterAct makes significant investments in pandemic preparedness and moving our country to a cleaner, more energy efficient future."

Rep. Schrier continued, "I'm also thrilled that my Medicare Vision Act was included in this legislation. We want to make sure that seniors can live independently for as long as possible. An important factor of independent living is making sure that they can see well enough to drive to appointments, walk safely around the house, and carefully read prescriptions. The Medicare Vision Act within the Build Back Better bill will do just that."

The Build Back Better Act will:

• Create a new comprehensive vision program for seniors to cover routine eye examinations, eyeglasses, and contact lenses by implementing Rep. Schrier's Medicare Vision Act
• Cap ACA health insurance premiums permanently so no family pays more than 8.5% of their income
• Increase vaccine confidence by giving our public health leaders the resources they need to educate and do outreach on both the COVID vaccine and routine immunizations
• Establish the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to make investments in lifesaving cures
• Create a new EPA grant program to replace certain heavy duty vehicle fleets with electric trucks and buses
• Increase funding in grants for states and municipalities to implement Next Gen 911 that allows callers to send text messages, images or videos to 911, giving first responders and firefighters more information before they get to the scene
• Bridge the homework gap through additional funding to the Emergency Connectivity Fund to ensure students, school staff, and library patrons have access to high-speed internet

Rep. Schrier concluded, "Additionally, we have more work ahead to bring down skyrocketing drug prices in a thoughtful way. I hope to see many of the provisions we worked on in a final bill, while continuing to refine the bill to protect and encourage innovation that makes Washington state a leader in transformational treatments and cures."

House Committees will finish reviewing their sections of the Build Back Better legislation this week. The House is expected to vote on final passage of the legislation later this fall.