At a recent House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado used her opening remarks to frame a wide-ranging discussion on the cost of health care in the United States. Speaking as the ranking member of the Health Subcommittee, DeGette addressed six health insurance CEOs and a patient whose monthly premiums had risen by more than 300 percent, surpassing $2,000 a month. Her comments set the tone for a hearing focused on affordability, access, and the real-world impact of policy decisions.

DeGette began by pointing to the broader context of American health care. She noted that the United States spends a larger share of its economy on health care than any other developed nation, yet health outcomes lag behind those of many peer countries. She cited declining life expectancy and compared U.S. performance unfavorably with countries such as Spain, Panama, and Oman. For DeGette, these trends raise fundamental questions about whether the system is delivering value for patients.

She acknowledged one area of progress: the uninsured rate. According to DeGette, the number of uninsured Americans is at a historic low, with roughly 21 million people enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans. However, she said that recent premium increases have threatened that progress. Many people buying insurance on the individual market saw their premiums rise sharply at the start of the year, in some cases doubling, after Congress failed to extend enhanced premium tax credits that had helped keep costs down.

DeGette highlighted recent action by the House, which passed a three-year extension of those tax credits. She emphasized that the vote was bipartisan, though narrowly so, with 17 Republicans joining Democrats. She argued that these credits are built on a simple principle: no American should have to spend more than 8.5 percent of their income on health insurance. Without them, she said, middle-class families are increasingly priced out of coverage. One witness at the hearing, Ellen Allen, was cited as an example of someone whose premiums skyrocketed after the credits expired.

Even for those who remain insured, DeGette said, access to care is not guaranteed. She pointed to denials of coverage, prior authorization requirements, and high deductibles and copays as ongoing barriers that can prevent patients from getting timely treatment. These challenges, she argued, add stress and financial strain even for people who technically have coverage.

DeGette also placed the current situation in a legislative context, criticizing past budget decisions that paired tax cuts with reductions or delays in health care support. She argued that failing to extend premium assistance while prioritizing other fiscal policies contributed to the affordability crisis now facing many families.

Looking ahead, DeGette said she and the committee chair share a broad goal of ensuring access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans, even if they differ on long-term solutions. While she expressed support for more sweeping reforms, she stressed the need for immediate relief. With open enrollment for 2026 already closed, she urged the Senate to act quickly on the House-passed extension so it could be sent to the president.

She concluded on a more collaborative note, thanking committee leadership for including a long-delayed package of health extenders in upcoming legislation, which she said would support research and care for millions. Overall, DeGette’s remarks underscored the tension between policy debates and the everyday financial realities facing patients navigating the U.S. health care system.

Source: Congresswoman Diana DeGette on YouTube, “DeGette Delivers Opening Remarks in Insurance CEO Hearing”