The next is the transcript of the interview with Sen. Invoice Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana, tthat aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Dec. 14, 2025.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to Louisiana Republican Senator Invoice Cassidy, he joins us this morning from Baton Rouge. Good morning to you, Senator.
SEN. BILL CASSIDY: Good morning, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So your well being care invoice offers People as much as $1,500 in tax free accounts to spend on well being care reasonably than lengthen these expiring ACA subsidies. On Thursday, your proposal failed 51 to 48, as did the Democratic proposal. So which means it seems like these receiving ACA premium subsidies will see their prices go up 114%. Backside line right here, did Republicans merely wait too lengthy to give you a well being care various?
SEN. CASSIDY: Effectively, first Margaret, let’s simply sort of recast the query. We’ve obtained to do one thing for affordability for the folks within the exchanges. And I’ll say that the one factor the Democrats would settle for was one thing that might lower the premiums. But when a household has a $6,000 out of pocket earlier than they get into the power of the insurance coverage plan, then, frankly, the coverage is catastrophic. It brings revenue to the insurance coverage firm, however not profit to the affected person. So I might argue that it truly is- there needs to be a gathering of the minds between Democrats and Republicans. Let’s acknowledge you’ve obtained to place money within the affected person’s pocket to pay the out of pocket. I might be keen to do a short-term extension of the premium tax credit for these folks with greater premiums, if they may concede that we’ve obtained to do one thing for the $6,000 out of pocket. I believe there’s a deal available right here. We have to push for that deal.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So that you need to make it possible for the typical deductible is lower than $6,000 is what I simply heard you say there, and also you’re open to an–
SEN. CASSIDY: Completely. The online deductible, if you’ll, that $1,500 is per individual. Give me a couple- for folks over 50. Give me a pair of their 50s with two kids, 18 and 19, they’d get $5,000 in an account of their purse, pocketbook, you title it, of their pocket to pay the out of pocket for the insurance coverage. Now the insurance coverage plan for that couple can be 6000- $6,000 deductible. So- so you find yourself reducing the web deductible by doing this. That makes the coverage truly useful for them. If the kid has a sprained ankle you carry to the pressing care, you’ll be able to pay the invoice, not sort of come with- come forward- out of your individual pocket. By the way in which, I’m instructed that about 40% of People have lower than $1,000 of their financial savings account. That sort of places into reduction why you have to have one thing of their pocket to pay the out of pocket.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So I do know the President has mentioned that he likes the idea of your plan, but- however why didn’t the White Home put its shoulder behind this earlier than Thursday? Why didn’t they whip votes for you? 4 of your Republican colleagues crossed the aisle and voted with Democrats on their proposal.
[CROSSTALK]
SEN. CASSIDY: All 4 of these voted for our proposal too. And I believe that reveals you that there is- there may be curiosity find one thing which addresses each the essential drawback of the out of pocket expense, but additionally the upper premiums–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –However is the White Home behind you on this? Like are they serving to you?
SEN. CASSIDY: –Effectively it actually looks like it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You need this up for one more vote.
[END CROSSTALK]
SEN. CASSIDY: Their preliminary plan had parts of what I’m talking about, serving to folks with that deductible. So merely put, sure, the White Home is there. However in the event you discover, our drawback was not on the Republican aspect, our drawback was on the Democratic aspect. So what I’m saying is, let’s simply meet collectively. As a doctor, I can inform you that deductible- the affected person comes, she’s harassed. She will’t get the process, the X ray, the no matter, due to her $6,000 deductible. Let’s- let’s simply meet. Let’s handle our issues. After which this Republican can be keen to do one thing on a brief time period extension of the premium tax credit, if that’s what it takes to get the deal to assist these of us with the dearer premium, but additionally serving to everyone with their deductible.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you want extra White Home assistance on this? And, sir, you’re operating out of time right here. Do you actually suppose you may get this carried out earlier than January 1st?
SEN. CASSIDY: Our drawback is just not with Republicans. Our drawback has been with Democrats. However after all, they could say that about us. So what I’m sort of trying to find is a deal by which each have their issues addressed. Should you do this and you set this in place, you actually have till the top of, like March to get it carried out. As a result of with- with these sort of accounts that folks have cash in, they only save the receipts, they submit them, they usually get reimbursed. It happens- it’s what we do in my household, we’ve got a versatile spending account. And so we will get this carried out, and I believe we will meet the issues each concerning the out of pocket, but additionally concerning the premium.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I additionally need to ask you about what’s taking place with the FDA proper now. CBS has confirmed that there aren’t any ongoing security research into the abortion drug Mifepristone. This was regardless of the Trump administration saying they had been going to conduct one and anti-abortion teams need this evaluate to happen. I noticed a letter the FDA commissioner despatched to you final week claiming they’re reviewing the proof. Do you consider him? And if not, what are you doing about it?
SEN. CASSIDY: I had a dialog with the commissioner this previous week. It appears as if it’s taken a very long time to get that research up and going, which suggests to me that it’s not a precedence. For the professional life group, this ought to be a precedence. And if we’re going to make America wholesome once more, this looks like, my gosh, ought to be high precedence. So there is- I’m disillusioned in addition to others are disillusioned. By the way in which, that is being gradual walked. I believe- I believe it simply must occur. We have to have the proof on the market. If you wish to reassure American folks about one thing which is absolutely high of thoughts, that is the place they need to be going.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So the American School of Obstetricians and Gynecologists mentioned that Mifepristone is protected and efficient and that there are unintended effects in lower than 1% of sufferers. I- with that information level in place, why isn’t the White Home urgent the FDA commissioner to make this occur? There’s some suggestion in reporting that it’s for political issues as a consequence of impression on the upcoming midterm races. Is that this politically motivated- the gradual strolling you say is going on?
SEN. CASSIDY: You’re asking me to look into the sort of motivations of oldsters with whom I’ve not had a private dialog–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –Effectively, did the FDA commissioner say that?
SEN. CASSIDY: I can’t do that- however the FDA commissioner mentioned that they’re making an attempt to get the research collectively, however they’ve been in workplace lengthy sufficient that it could possibly be and so I believe that it’s proper to be impatient. It’s proper to demand extra. I don’t know if the choice begins with the FDA commissioner. You simply steered it begins within the White Home. That is likely to be the case. Level being, get it carried out.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And you’ve got confidence within the FDA commissioner?
SEN. CASSIDY: I believe the FDA commissioner is working very exhausting, and I believe that in lots of circumstances, he’s receiving directives from on excessive. I don’t know that for certain, however I think that’s the case.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. Dr. Cassidy, Senator Cassidy, we thanks on your time. We’ll be again in a second.
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