Press Releases
Momentum Gains for STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act as Senators Join Bill
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the addition of U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Kennedy (R-LA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) as cosponsors to the STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act, bringing the total cosponsors of the legislation to 14 senators. They join Cassidy along with U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Todd Young (R-IN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tom Carper (D-DE), Dan Sullivan (R-AK)… Continue Reading
05.20.19
Cassidy Seeks Accountability for Poor Quality of NCIL’s Taxpayer Funded Dyslexia Report
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today responded to the National Center for Improving Literacy (NCIL) following their response to his letter to Secretary DeVos on April 22, 2019. Cassidy criticized an official NCIL work product, titled "Screening for Dyslexia," which included over 30 improperly cited references, outdated information and definitions, and opinions masqueraded as facts. "As the author of the pro… Continue Reading
05.17.19
Cassidy, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Expedite Medicare Coverage for Americans with Huntington's Disease
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and U.S. Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), reintroduced the Huntington's Disease Parity Act, legislation to waive the current two year waiting period those with Huntington's Disease must endure while waiting for Medicare coverage to kick in. "As a doc, I know treating a patient in early stages of disease is critical to good outcomes," said Dr. Cassidy. "Making patients wait two years for… Continue Reading
05.17.19
Cassidy Cosponsors Bill to Promote Human Rights in Vietnam
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) cosponsored the Vietnam Human Rights Sanctions Act, legislation promoting human rights in Vietnam and imposing sanctions and travel restrictions on Vietnamese nationals complicit in human rights abuses. "The people of Vietnam deserve fair treatment from their government. If we are to continue forging a stronger relationship with Vietnam, we must know they will respect their citizens' basic human rights," said Senator Cassidy. "It is important we hold leade… Continue Reading
05.16.19
Cassidy, Kennedy Congratulate Judge Wendy Vitter on Confirmation to Eastern District of Louisiana
U.S. SenatorsBill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and John Kennedy released a statement following Wendy Vitter's confirmation to be a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana with a vote of 52-45. "Congratulations to Wendy on being confirmed by the full Senate today," said Dr. Cassidy. "She is immensely qualified to serve, and I wish her success in upholding the Constitution on behalf of the good people of the Eastern District." "Wendy is whip smart and articulate. She und… Continue Reading
05.16.19
Bipartisan Senate Working Group Introduces Surprise Medical Billing Legislation
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Todd Young (R-IN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Tom Carper (D-DE), members of the Senate Bipartisan Working Group, today introduced the bipartisan STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act, legislation to protect patients from surprise medical bills. U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) are also cosponsoring the bill. This legislation is a product of a nearly year-long effort revising proposals and r… Continue Reading
05.14.19
Cassidy Joins President Trump on Louisiana Visit
LAKE CHARLES-U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy, today joined President Trump on Air Force One and on a tour of Sempra Energy's Cameron LNG Export Facility in Cameron Parish during the president's visit to Louisiana. Under President Trump, U.S. LNG exports to Europe have increased by 272 percent, fueling investment and jobs in Louisiana. "President Trump's goal that the United States be energy dominant has been great for… Continue Reading
05.13.19
Cassidy Urges Full Implementation of First Step Act Dyslexia Screening
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today called on the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Acting Director Hugh Hurwitz to fully implement the First Step Act, specifically as it pertains to screening prisoners for dyslexia. Cassidy was integral in the inclusion of the dyslexia screening provisions in the bill signed last year. "For far too long there has been a significant misunderstanding of what dyslexia is and how… Continue Reading
05.09.19
Cassidy Meets with Trump to End Surprise Medical Billing
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), medical doctor and member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, today met with President Trump at the White House to discuss solutions to end surprise medical bills, a priority Dr. Cassidy highlighted in his white paper on how to make health care affordable again. "Patients should be the reason for the care, not the excuse for the bill," said Dr. Cassidy. "President Trump is concerned about that single mom sitting at the kit… Continue Reading
05.08.19
Cassidy, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Tax Cut Law, Lower Taxes on Gold Star Families
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Doug Jones (D-AL), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mark Warner (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME) and 21 other bipartisan Senators today introduced legislation providing tax relief for children receiving benefits who have lost a parent serving in the military. Simplification of a special tax dating back to 1986 that was intended to stop wealthy parents from sheltering income by shifting it to their children with … Continue Reading
05.07.19
Cassidy, King, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Protect Disaster Relief Volunteers
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), Angus King (I-ME), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Joe Manchin (D-WV), today reintroduced the Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act to provide medical professionals with a limited, but consistent, level of legal protection while volunteering during federally-declared disasters. The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 sought to protect those volunteering through non-profit a… Continue Reading
05.06.19
Cassidy on Trump Visit to Lake Charles LNG Export Terminal
LAKE CHARLES-U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy, released a statement following the White House announcement that President Trump will tour Sempra Energy's Cameron LNG Export Facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana on May 14. Under President Trump, U.S. LNG exports to Europe have increased by 272 percent, fueling investment and jobs in Louisiana. "I thank President Trump for his commitment to unleashing American energy and s… Continue Reading
05.03.19
Cassidy Joins Vice President Pence During Visit to Louisiana
LAFAYETTE-U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) will join Vice President Mike Pence in Opelousas, Louisiana today to visit the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, one of three predominantly African American Baptist churches burnt down by an arsonist over 10 days in late March and early April. "There are times which will test our strength, when we must stand tall. With the help of community leaders, we will continue to heal and support those affected by this tragedy," said Senator Cassidy. "I thank … Continue Reading
05.02.19
Cassidy, Smith Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Cut Wasteful Health Care Costs
U.S. SenatorsBill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Reducing Administrative Costs and Burdens in Health Care Act, bipartisan legislation to help develop innovative ways to reduce unnecessary administrative costs in health care. Estimates suggest that administrative costs account for over one quarter of total health care spending in the United States. "We should spend money making people healthy, not on administrative waste," said Dr. Cassidy. "We need to lower health c… Continue Reading
05.02.19
Cassidy, Kennedy, Abraham, Graves Announce Details of Upcoming Duplication of Benefits Guidance
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and John Kennedy (R-LA), and U.S. Representatives Ralph Abraham, M.D. (R-LA) and Garret Graves (R-LA), today announced that Louisianans impacted by the 2016 flooding will be eligible to receive Restore Louisiana grants even if they took out SBA loans. In calls with Cassidy and Kennedy, HUD Secretary Ben Carson confirmed details regarding the upcoming Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) legal guidance needed to implement the duplication of be… Continue Reading
05.01.19
Cassidy, Delegation Secure Commitment From Trump, Benefitting Louisiana Shipbuilders and Maritime Workers
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and a group of senators and representatives, today met with President Trump to advocate on behalf of Louisiana shipbuilders and maritime workers in light of proposed federal waivers to the Jones Act, securing a commitment from the president to not go forward with the proposed waivers. The Jones Act requires that goods shipped between U.S. ports be transported on ships that are built, owned, and operated by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. This is es… Continue Reading
05.01.19
Cassidy Cosponsors Legislation to Expand Education Opportunities
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) cosponsored the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act (S. 634), legislation that would expand elementary, secondary, and vocational education opportunities for students by providing a federal tax credit to encourage individuals and businesses to donate to nonprofit scholarship funds. "Promoting education at every level is necessary for a healthy American economy," said Dr. Cassidy. "Incentivizing donations to scholarship organizations is a … Continue Reading
04.29.19
Cassidy, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Improve Innovation in Higher Education
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Todd Young (R-IN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today introduced the Innovation Zone Act (IZ Act), legislation to ensure that the Department of Education has clear guidelines on how and when to report data on experimental site initiatives. This improves transparency, holds the experimental sites accountable to the public, and allows policymakers to make better informed decisionson the viability of potential policies being tested at the exper… Continue Reading
04.29.19
Cassidy, Colleagues Urge Trump to Support International Fuel Standards Benefiting American Energy & Reducing Global Emissions
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy, along with Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Rob Portman (R-OH), John Kennedy (R-LA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Hoeven (R-ND), Michael Rounds (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Boozman (R-AR), James Lankford (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Todd Young (R-IN) today urged President Trump to continue its pro- U.S. energy agenda, and support the i… Continue Reading
04.25.19
Cassidy, Kennedy Announce $94.7 Million in GOMESA Revenue to Preserve and Protect Louisiana Coastlines
U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and John Kennedy (R-LA) today announced Louisiana's receipt of $94.7 million in GOMESA revenue sharing funding from the U.S. Department of the Interior, which represents 44 percent of the total amount allocated to Gulf states. This is roughly a $12M increase from last year's total. The Louisiana State Constitution requires that offshore revenue sharing funds be used for coastal restoration efforts. "GOMESA revenue is essential to restore and protect Louis… Continue Reading
