Newhouse Applauds Premera's Investment in Community Health Care
Federal tax cuts will lead to more stability and more rural access
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after Premera Blue Cross, a major health plan provider in the Pacific Northwest, announced that – as a result of the federal tax cuts Congress approved in December of 2017 – the company will be investing $250 million to stabilize the individual market, improve care for behavioral health issues, and support health care providers and patients in rural areas:
"In Central Washington, families have continued to face rising healthcare premiums and deductibles, and the number of insurance plans continues to dwindle due to the Affordable Care Act," said Rep. Newhouse. "In addition to more jobs and higher paychecks for hard-working taxpayers, I am pleased to see that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has allowed Premera to invest in our local communities. This investment will ensure that everyone in Washington, including those in rural areas like the 4th District, has access to health care and ensure that there will be no counties that lack coverage options."
According to Premera, the changes to the corporate tax system implemented through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act have resulted in a refund that allows the company to address critical health care needs. Premera will focus the investments to address three key areas:
- Customers and market stability: Premera has guaranteed that all counties in Washington sill have at least one health insurance choice, and federal tax savings are expected to trigger premium rebates for individual and small group customers.
- Improved access to health care in rural areas: Enhanced tele-health programs and other initiatives will work to attract and support health care providers in rural areas.
- Behavioral health: Premera will invest $40 million over the next five years to address addiction, childhood trauma, and homelessness.