DelBene, Suzan RSS Articles

DelBene Statement on Republican Budget Resolution

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement after voting against the Republican budget resolution.

“This budget does absolutely nothing to lower costs when families are struggling with high health care premiums, expensive grocery bills, and unaffordable gas prices due to Republican policies. Instead of addressing the issues that actually matter to families, this bill writes another blank check to ICE, providing $70 billion to continue terrorizing our communities.

“Despite Republican claims, this bill also does nothing to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, putting paychecks at risk for countless TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA employees.

“The American people have been clear – they want a Congress that works to lower costs and keeps our communities safe. The Republican budget is completely out of touch, fails to address the cost-of-living crisis, and only creates more chaos.”

DelBene Announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winner

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) announced Tina Zhao, a junior from Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bellevue, as the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Washington’s 1st Congressional District. Tina’s acrylic painting, “Leave Me Alone” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

“The Congressional Art Competition is a unique opportunity for young artists in our community to showcase their talent,” said DelBene. “Tina’s painting is an impressive work of realism that evokes feelings of contemplation and vulnerability. I’m incredibly proud of all the students who submitted their artwork to this year’s competition.”

Since 1982, the Congressional Art Competition has been an opportunity for members of Congress to celebrate the talents of student artists from across the country. Over 650,000 high school students have participated nationwide.

“Leave Me Alone” was selected by a panel of judges from the local WA-01 art community.

DelBene on FISA Vote: “Federal Government Shouldn’t Have a Loophole That It Can Exploit to Override Our Civil Liberties”

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement after the House FISA vote:

“It is a huge mistake for Congress to continue allowing the federal government to have unchecked access to Americans’ personal data. That’s why I’ve voted against reauthorizing FISA four times since I’ve been in Congress under both Republican and Democratic presidents. The proposed changes in this extension don’t go far enough to protect Americans’ civil liberties. Without enforceable baseline privacy protections, the government goes to data brokers to purchase information on our citizens. Without strong warrant standards, there is no requirement to provide any justification to surveil Americans. People deserve these baseline protections, and the federal government shouldn’t have a loophole that it can exploit to override our civil liberties. This should be a concern regardless of who is in the White House. Congress should exercise its oversight responsibility and put the necessary reforms to these surveillance powers in place.”

DelBene Unlocks $300,000 for Flood Prevention in Snohomish County

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) announced that Snohomish County will receive nearly $300,000 for flood prevention efforts. The resources will allow the county to make life-saving investments to protect communities at increasing risk of severe flooding. The funding, initially approved in June 2025, was held up awaiting the signature of then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

“Our communities don’t have the time or ability to wait month after month for the federal resources they need to help prepare for the next natural disaster. Washington has faced more frequent and intense flooding in recent years. These resources will help the county better prepare to protect lives and property,” said DelBene. “By finally unlocking these funds, communities along the Snohomish, Stillaguamish, and other river systems and waterways will be better prepared for future flooding.”

“December’s flooding highlighted how critical flood mitigation measures can be in ensuring that our residents live in prepared and resilient communities,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “This grant will help give us more information about what needs to happen to keep people and property safe. It provides the resources for us to look holistically at flood infrastructure countywide, specifically dikes and levees, so that we can work with partners on identifying and addressing areas of concern.”

In December 2025, DelBene, along with Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08), called on then-Sec. Noem to release the funding that had already been held up for six months at that point, as Washington was facing another round of extreme weather and flooding.

The funding was announced as part of a $21 million FEMA investment to support flood mitigation in Washington and Oregon. The full FEMA announcement can be found here.

The letter to Sec. Noem can be found here.

DelBene Leads Bipartisan Push to Increase Seniors’ Access to Breakthrough Medical Devices

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Blake Moore (UT-01), Rudy Yakym (IN-02), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lori Trahan (MA-03), and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) led a bipartisan letter urging Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy and Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Oz to take action on improving Medicare coverage for FDA-designated breakthrough medical devices.

The Breakthrough Devices Program is an accelerated FDA review process that gives patients access to innovative technologies, while ensuring they are safe and effective. Several groundbreaking technologies have benefited from this program, including blood tests, cancer therapies, and bone grafts. However, there is often a multi-year delay for Medicare to cover these devices even after FDA approval. This negatively impacts seniors’ access to innovative technologies and harms overall health outcomes.

“Seniors should not be forced to wait years for cutting-edge, safe, and effective treatments that could change or even save their lives,” said DelBene. “Guaranteeing Medicare coverage of breakthrough medical devices would encourage future innovation and investment in next-generation medical technologies while improving the quality of life for millions of seniors. We can’t let the coverage approval process be a barrier to life-saving treatments or care.”

"When the FDA designates a device as a breakthrough technology, that means that there is nothing similar already available to patients having the potential to change or save lives,” said Yakym. “Seniors on Medicare shouldn't have to wait years to access it simply because of bureaucratic processes. This letter makes clear that Congress expects action, and I will keep pushing until patients in Indiana and across the country can get the care they need without unnecessary delays.”

“There is no reason that Medicare patients should have to wait to access breakthrough medical devices already cleared by the FDA. The Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act ensures patients receive the most advanced treatments on the market as soon as possible,” said Moore. “Easing the pathway for Medicare approval has long been a bipartisan priority, and I look forward to working with Secretary Kennedy to ensure this crosses the finish line for our seniors.”

“All Americans deserve access to life-saving, breakthrough therapies and devices,” said Sewell. “This letter takes a critical step in the right direction to ensure that the review and approval process for breakthrough therapies does not inhibit patient access to innovative and effective technologies for our seniors.”

"When the FDA designates a device as a breakthrough, it means it has the potential to change or even save a patient's life,” said Trahan. “Medicare seniors shouldn't have to wait years to access treatments that have already cleared that bar. This bipartisan effort is about making sure our coverage policies keep pace with medical innovation, so patients here in Massachusetts and across the country can get the care they need without unnecessary delays."

This effort has earned broad support from industry leaders and patient advocacy organizations across the healthcare community, including MDMA, AdvaMed, Alzheimer's Association, Roche Diagnostics, National Health Council, HealthyWomen, Alzheimer's Impact Movement, Siemens Healthineers, and Indiana Life Sciences Association.

The letter was signed by 82 Members of Congress and received support from leading health and industry organizations.

The full letter can be found here.

DelBene, Kelly Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Kidney Failure Care

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Mike Kelly (PA-16) introduced the Concurrent Care for Comfort Act, bipartisan legislation that would help improve care for patients with kidney failure.

Currently, Americans living with kidney failure are not allowed to continue their dialysis treatment under Medicare if they choose to enter hospice care. This legislation would allow patients to continue a limited number of dialysis treatments upon entering hospice. This will allow patients to be with their family symptom-free. The Concurrent Care for Comfort Act would clarify the policy for coverage under the Medicare program for palliative dialysis services. The legislation also clarifies separate payment for such palliative dialysis services, furnished by renal dialysis facilities and providers of services to certain individuals electing hospice care.

“At the end-of-life, patients with kidney failure often have to choose between hospice care or continuing dialysis, making them half as likely to receive hospice care than patients with other end-stage diagnoses,” said DelBene. “Hospice care is meant to provide comfort and dignity for people nearing the end of life, but for patients in kidney failure this decision is much more complicated. Our bipartisan bill addresses this issue and ensures patients have access to therapies that improve comfort at the end of life.”

"The Concurrent Care for Comfort Act gives patients greater choice and accessibility to care while they receive their critical dialysis treatments," said Kelly. "It's a practical solution for both [RS1] patients in what is often one of the most trying times of their life."

“Medicare patients with ESRD deserve a choice in all aspects of their care, including end-of-life”, said Monica Massaro, Executive Director of the Nonprofit Kidney Care Alliance (NKCA). “NKCA is grateful to Representatives Kelly and DelBene for their leadership in sponsoring the Concurrent Care for Comfort Act, which will provide a dignified end-of-life experience for patients and their families.”

“Puget Sound Kidney Centers commends Representatives Kelly and DelBene for their leadership in introducing The Concurrent Care for Comfort Act,” said Tom DeBord, President & CEO of Puget Sound Kidney Centers. “We urge Congress to pass this important legislation to ensure dialysis patients have the choice to elect hospice with the knowledge that dialysis treatment, not “maintenance dialysis,” will be available as needed to address symptom management and provide comfort as they approach the end of life.”

“Currently, people receiving dialysis care, despite a strong clinical need for hospice, have limited access because they must make the excruciating decision to stop dialysis before they can receive hospice services. In Western Pennsylvania, we have piloted a concurrent hospice and dialysis program for eight years offering more individuals the opportunity to pass away in comfort with their family compared to most Medicare beneficiaries on dialysis. We applaud Rep. Kelly’s leadership on this important issue to allow all individuals on dialysis to make the choice that’s right for them,” said Doug Johnson, MD, CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board, Dialysis Clinic Inc.

The text of the legislation can be found here

DelBene to RFK Jr.: You Are Hurting Patients for No Reason

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) demanded answers from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., about a new program he implemented that is unnecessarily delaying and denying care to seniors in Washington.

DelBene has been a leading voice in raising the alarm about how this program could harm patients since it was announced. She has introduced legislation and championed several efforts to cancel it.

Here is a link to the video, and below is the transcript:

DelBene: Secretary, I'm glad you're appearing before us today. Under your leadership, CMS recently added new layers of red tape that Medicare patients need to navigate to get the care that they're entitled to. Mr. Secretary, I hope you understand the harm that delaying and denying necessary care can have. Do you remember saying this: “Americans shouldn't have to negotiate with their insurer to get the care they need. Pitting patients and their doctors against massive companies was not good for anyone.” Do you remember?

Kennedy: I don't remember, but I would, I would align with that,

DelBene: I'll submit for the record, actually, a press release from CMS with your quote in that is from June 23 of 2025. In this case, I agree. Pitting patients and their doctors against massive companies isn't good for anyone. And yet, less than a week after you said that CMS announced the WISeR model. The program allows private companies to use AI to review traditional Medicare claims and pays them based on the amount of care they deny. This program went into place in six states across the country, including my home state of Washington.

President Trump said multiple times on the campaign trail that he would not cut Medicare, but this program does exactly that. For example, Joanne is a senior from Washington on Medicare. She has a herniated disc that is pinching her sciatic nerve, causing immense pain down the right side of her body. Her doctor prescribed an injection that would help relieve her pain. If it had been prescribed last year, she would have received the treatment, no problem. But because of the WISeR model that has been implemented, she has been in intense pain for over six weeks while she waits for approval. She has been using crutches or a wheelchair for over a month now, which is making her arthritis worse, adding to her chronic pain. Since using crutches, she's fallen multiple times, including earlier this week. Instead of simply approving the procedure, Joanne's conditions are getting worse, and Secretary Kennedy, the W in the WISeR model stands for ‘wasteful.’ Do you think that Joanne's treatment, which would allow her to walk and live with less pain that her doctor has prescribed. Do you think that's wasteful?

Kennedy: Do you want me to actually answer that question?

DelBene: Yeah!

Kennedy: I think that that's a terrible outcome. It's one that was not intended by the system. Obviously, the problem is there's tremendous ways… In Medicaid, there's only 5% of the cases are given prior authorization. In private industry, 30%.

DelBene: This is traditional Medicare now where it's now. This is only been put under prior authorization under your leadership. Now, President Trump promised multiple times that he “will not lay a finger on Medicare.” Given President Trump’s promise, did you or the President approve this model, which is now delaying and denying care for people in states like the state of Washington?

Kennedy: Can I answer the question?

DelBene: Yeah, people are being denied care across our state right now.

Kennedy: Very quickly, and this is an example - Five years ago, we were paying $250,000 a year for - $250 million for skin substitutes. This year, $23 billion. Why? Because there was no prior authorization in the Medicare program.

DelBene: And now someone like Joanne is not getting her care. It's more expensive for us because Joanne is not getting her care. We have story after story. I can also submit for the record stories of all the people who are being delayed and denied care. It is more expensive for us. It is more expensive for them when they are not getting the care they need.

Last year, I sent CMS a letter detailing my concerns about the WISeR model. I still have not gotten a response. That was last August. Can you publicly commit to responding to that letter and addressing the concerns of this harmful model?

Kennedy: Yeah, absolutely, we will, and I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. We have an unprecedented number of communications from Congress.

DelBene: Well, we don't have you here very often. We have people in my state who are being denied care, who are being hurt based on this policy, and there's an indifference to the challenges that they are facing, all because of a model put in place for no reason and doing exactly what you said shouldn't happen, which is “pitting patients and their doctors against massive companies.” These are private companies doing this prior authorization was not good for anyone. Thank you, I yield back, Mr. Chairman.

Kennedy: Discovering $23 billion worth of fraud is not for no reason.

DelBene: You are hurting patients in our state and other states across the country for no reason, and I appreciate you finally responding to the letter. Thank you. I yield back.

DelBene: RFK Jr.’s AI Pilot Program Is A Trojan Horse For Privatizing Medicare

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Earlier this year, Joanne, a Medicare patient from Quilcene, Washington, went to her doctor for severe pain in her lower back, down her leg and on the top of her foot. An MRI showed that a herniated disc was pressing on her sciatic nerve. Joanne’s doctor prescribed an epidural steroid injection to help alleviate the pain. Before this year, getting that procedure done would have been quick and routine.

But in January, Medicare started a new pilot program in Washington and five other states: Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. This program, called the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model, allows for-profit companies to use artificial intelligence to review and deny Medicare claims. In just the first few months, the number of stories like Joanne’s, in which care is delayed or denied, have exploded across these six states. Joanne’s doctor recommended this injection more than six weeks ago and it still hasn’t been approved. For over a month, she has had to use crutches or a wheelchair, worsening the arthritis in her hands, knees and ankles and adding to her chronic pain. Joanne is now looking to see if she can pay out of pocket for the procedure because, as she told my office, she “can’t keep living like this.”

WISeR isn’t just making it harder for seniors to get the care their doctors prescribe. It also opens the door to something more troubling. Under WISeR, outside companies are paid a share of the costs they “save” by rejecting claims. This creates a pervasive incentive to deny care. By injecting private companies into traditional Medicare with the goal of limiting care, the Trump administration is testing a new avenue to privatize the program. Congress must recognize and reject this Trojan horse before it fundamentally reshapes Medicare as we know it.

So far, it appears that using AI to speed up claims review has resulted in rapid treatment denials and frustration for patients and providers alike. Months in, doctor’s offices are still in the dark about basic functions of the program, and the Department of Health and Human Services hasn’t provided answers to foundational concerns since WISeR was announced last June.

The practice of requiring procedures to be preapproved, known as prior authorization, is extremely rare in traditional Medicare but already widespread in employer-sponsored health plans and privately run Medicare Advantage plans. Under this deeply flawed process, patients and doctors routinely spend hours fighting on the phone for approval of basic care. Many seniors choose traditional Medicare precisely so they don’t have to deal with this red tape. By injecting prior authorization into traditional Medicare, the differences between it and private Medicare Advantage grow slimmer.

Worse, prior authorization often doesn’t work. Over 4 million prior authorization requests made for Medicare Advantage enrollees were denied in 2024. Eighty percent of the denials were overturned when patients appealed the initial denial, but because appeals denials require considerable time, knowledge and energy, few patients contest coverage decisions.

Even if a denial is reversed, the delay in care frequently leads to more serious health issues and higher long‑term costs. Nearly a third of physicians say that a prior authorization requirement has led to a serious adverse health event for one of their patients. The American Medical Association has said these worse health conditions resulting from delayed care “may actually add significant costs to the nation’s health system.”

Even HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seemed to acknowledge the problem, saying in June, “Americans shouldn’t have to negotiate with their insurer to get the care they need.” But four days later, HHS announced WISeR.

As Kennedy prepares to testify before the House Ways and Means Committee this week, he should be ready to explain why his department is moving forward with WISeR despite widespread concerns that it delays care and opens the door to privatizing Medicare.

The administration claims that this program is supposed to test new ways to use technology to fight fraud in Medicare. We must develop more ways to detect, stop and hold bad actors accountable, but WISeR simply repeats the same flawed tactics that already delay care, frustrate patients and cost us more money. Kennedy and HHS seem more focused on enriching private companies with tax dollars that should be going to care for seniors.

Congress cannot sit on the sidelines while our constituents linger in pain. I’ve introduced legislation that would stop this program and other AI pilot programs like it. The House should quickly move it forward. This isn’t a partisan issue. Stories like Joanne’s could happen anywhere, from the reddest areas in Texas all the way to the bluest corners of Washington. We need to stand up for our seniors and stop this attempt to privatize Medicare.

Read the op-ed on MS NOW

DelBene, Steube Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Employee Benefit Flexibility

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Greg Steube (FL-17) introduced the Optimizing Participant Tax Incentives through Optional Noncash Selections (OPTIONS) Act, bipartisan legislation that would clarify existing gaps in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) rules governing employer contributions to employee benefit plans.

In May 2024, the IRS allowed a single employer to implement a flexible benefits program allocating contributions to employee retirement accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Health Reimbursement Accounts, and educational assistance programs. While this was a positive step, the fact that it granted unique permission for one specific employer has created uncertainty for others interested in adopting a similar flexible benefit package for their employees. The OPTIONS Act resolves this problem, extending the flexible benefits model to all employers.

“Workers want more flexibility in their financial planning, but employer contributions are mostly limited to retirement accounts currently. With many employees wanting to prioritize student loans and health care bills, this legislation would let them direct their employer contributions to these needs. This commonsense bipartisan bill would give workers more options while ensuring those focused on retirement can continue to save,” said DelBene.

“American workers deserve more freedom and true financial security when it comes to their benefits," said Steube. "Unfortunately, ongoing confusion and inconsistencies with IRS rules governing employer contributions to benefit plans have shortchanged millions of Americans of potential savings. That is why I am introducing the OPTIONS Act to ensure workers have more choices and better benefits at the workplace."

“American workers don’t all face the same financial challenges, so their benefits shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all,” said American Retirement Association (ARA) CEO Brian Graff. “The OPTIONS Act is a smart, forward-looking solution that empowers employees to direct employer contributions where they need them most, whether that’s retirement savings, healthcare, or paying down student debt. ARA applauds Representatives Steube and DelBene for their bipartisan leadership on this important legislation, which strengthens financial security while preserving the integrity of our employer-sponsored system.”

Read the full bill text here.

DelBene, Kelly Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Care Coordination for Seniors

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Mike Kelly (PA-16) introduced the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation that would facilitate better care management for the more than 22 million Medicare patients with two or more chronic diseases. Chronic care management has been proven to lower patient costs and improve health outcomes, but the practice remains underutilized because of Medicare’s payment structure.

Chronic care management services are provided on the back end between providers but currently require a 20% cost-share from patients. This prevents many seniors from utilizing this service. The cost is a financial barrier, but it also confuses patients who don’t understand why they are charged for it.

“Removing barriers to chronic care management is key to lowering health care costs and delivering better results for seniors,” said DelBene. “Chronic health conditions account for 90% of national health care spending, yet too few seniors are receiving these incredibly impactful services. Dropping cost-sharing requirements would increase access to these services for more seniors.”

“The Chronic Care Management Improvement Act aims to allow seniors to access important services to manage their health, free of co-pays,” said Kelly. “This bill helps doctors manage patient health behind the scenes, an essential tool in the preventative care toolbox.”

Chronic care management services are performed continuously and billed each month. While providers are required to get consent from their patients before providing these services, it is confusing for seniors to get a bill from their physician when they did not have an appointment. The coinsurance is small, usually around $12 per month, but providers must comply with Medicare rules and make an honest effort to collect that payment.

Chronic care management can improve patient outcomes, but these services are sorely underutilized. Only 882,000 – or 4% of eligible patients – have received these services according to the latest data. The vast majority of patients are not benefiting from coordinated care.

A 2017 Mathematica analysis found that overall expenditures for seniors receiving chronic care management services were significantly lower compared to those not receiving them. After 12 months, spending per beneficiary per month saw a $28 decrease compared to those who did not receive such services. When the lookback was extended to 18 months, the savings jumped up to $72 per beneficiary per month.

Chronic care management services include:

Recording of patient information using certified EHR technology;
Providing 24/7 access to providers;
Designating a team member to schedule future appointments;
Systematic assessment of the patient’s medical, functional, and psychosocial needs;
Medication reconciliation and adherence;
Creation of a comprehensive care plan;
Transmission of documents to ensure continuity of care during care transitions;
Coordination with home and community-based providers; and
Enhancing communication options (secure messaging, etc.).

This bipartisan legislation has been endorsed by health provider and patient advocacy groups, including Alzheimer's Association and the Alzheimer's Impact Movement, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists, AARP, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, American College of Lifestyle Medicine, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, American College of Physicians, American College of Rheumatology, American Diabetes Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, American Medical Group Association, American Osteopathic Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, America's Essential Hospitals, America’s Physician Groups, Association of American Medical Colleges, Connected Health Initiative (CHI), Association for Competitive Technology (ACT), Cadence, Healthcare Leadership Council, Health Care Transformation Task Force, Mental Health America, Medical Group Management Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of ACOs, National Kidney Foundation, National Patient Advocate Foundation, National Rural Health Association, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, Premier Inc., Primary Care Collaborative, Primary Care Development Corporation, Remote Monitoring Leadership Council, TapestryHealth, and The Alliance for Connected Care.

DelBene Hosts Telephone Town Hall

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 02:15:00 GMT

Join Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) for a telephone town hall on Monday, February 24 at 6:16 PM PT for a discussion on what's happening with the Trump administration and what she's doing in Congress to protect Washington families.