Louisiana senator on healthcare proposals and FDA guidelines

(CBS, KYMA) - Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) spoke with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation Sunday about healthcare proposals.

According to Brennan, Sen. Cassidy's healthcare bill gives "Americans up to $1,500 in tax free accounts to spend on health care rather than extend these expiring ACA subsidies," but was rejected by the Senate 51 to 48 last week, as was a proposal from the Democrats.

When asked if Republicans waited too long to come up with a healthcare alternative, Cassidy said:

"Let's just kind of recast the question. We've got to do something for affordability for the people in the exchanges. And I will say that the only thing the Democrats would accept was something that would decrease the premiums. But if a family has a $6,000 out of pocket before they get into the strength of the insurance plan, then, frankly, the policy is catastrophic. It brings profit to the insurance company, but not benefit to the patient. So I would argue that it actually is...there has to be a meeting of the minds between Democrats and Republicans. Let's acknowledge you've got to put cash in the patient's pocket to pay the out of pocket. I would be willing to do a short-term extension of the premium tax credits for those people with higher premiums, if they will concede that we've got to do something for the $6,000 out of pocket. I think there's a deal to be had here. We need to push for that deal."

Brennan said President Donald Trump liked the concept of Cassidy's plan, leading her to ask why President Trump endorsed it before Thursday's vote, and Cassidy said:

"All four of those voted for our proposal too. And I think that shows you that there is interest in finding something which addresses both the critical problem of the out of pocket expense, but also the higher premiums...Their initial plan had elements of what I am speaking about, helping people with that deductible. So simply put, yes, the White House is there. But if you notice, our problem was not on the Republican side, our problem was on the Democratic side. So what I'm saying is, let's just meet together. As a physician, I can tell you that deductible- the patient comes, she's stressed. She can't get the procedure, the X-ray, the whatever, because of her $6,000 deductible. Let's just meet. Let's address our concerns. And then this Republican would be willing to do something on a short term extension of the premium tax credits, if that's what it takes to get the deal to help those folks with the more expensive premium, but also helping everybody with their deductible."

When asked if this can be done before January 1, Cassidy said:

"Our problem is not with Republicans. Our problem has been with Democrats. But of course, they may say that about us. So what I am kind of searching for is a deal in which both have their concerns addressed. If you do that and you put this in place, you really have until the end of, like March to get it done. Because with- with these kind of accounts that people have money in, they just save the receipts, they submit them, and they get reimbursed. It happens...it's what we do in my family, we have a flexible spending account. And so we can get this done, and I think we can meet the concerns both about the out of pocket, but also about the premium."

During the interview, Brennan and Cassidy talked about the FDA delaying its abortion pill safety study, with CBS News reporting that there are no ongoing safety studies into Mifepristone.

This comes as the Trump Administration said they were going to conduct one and anti-abortion groups wants the review to take place.

Brennan also said FDA Commissioner Martin Makary sent a letter to Cassidy claiming the FDA is reviewing the evidence, prompting her to ask the senator if he believes Makary or not, and what he's going to do about it, to which Cassidy said:

"I had a conversation with the commissioner this past week. It seems as if it's taken a long time to get that study up and going, which suggests to me that it's not a priority. For the pro life community, this should be a priority. And if we're going to make America healthy again, this seems like, my gosh, should be top priority. So...I am disappointed as well as others are disappointed. By the way, this is being slow walked. I think it just needs to happen. We need to have the evidence out there. If you want to reassure American people about something which is really top of mind, this is where they should be going."

To watch more of Brennan's interview with Cassidy, click here.