The Senate Finance Committee convened a hearing on November 19, 2025, to examine the persistent problem of health care affordability in the United States, despite record public and private spending. Members from both parties cited the growing financial strain of premiums, deductibles, and out‑of‑pocket costs on families, small businesses, and federal programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Witnesses included policy experts Douglas Holtz‑Eakin of the American Action Forum, Jason Levitis of the Urban Institute, Brian Blase of the Paragon Health Institute, and patient advocate Bartley Armitage, who offered a firsthand perspective on the impact of high deductibles and medical debt. National advocacy organizations—including Families USA and Americans Covered—submitted additional statements urging legislative action to strengthen affordability and consumer protections.
Committee leaders framed the discussion around both short‑term and structural reforms, with particular attention to the scheduled expiration of enhanced ACA premium tax credits. Democratic members emphasized the need to extend these subsidies and reinforce cost‑sharing reductions to maintain coverage and prevent premium spikes, while also calling for broader cost‑containment strategies. Republican senators focused on addressing the root causes of spending growth, including hospital consolidation, limited competition, and opaque pricing practices. There was bipartisan agreement on the importance of improving transparency, promoting fair market competition, and advancing payment reforms that incentivize value‑based and population‑based care.
From the perspective of the American College of Sports Medicine, the hearing highlighted an encouraging shift toward recognizing the importance of prevention, primary care, and community health in controlling long‑term costs. Proposals to expand telehealth, strengthen primary care infrastructure, and reward preventive and lifestyle‑based interventions align closely with ACSM’s mission to improve health outcomes through physical activity and evidence‑based prevention. Several senators also underscored the need to ensure that cost reforms preserve quality and access, particularly for rural and underserved populations.
While partisan differences remain over the future of ACA subsidies and the scope of federal regulation, there was emerging consensus that promoting transparency, reducing excessive cost growth, and supporting preventive health approaches must be shared priorities. For ACSM members, the discussion reinforces the critical role of exercise professionals, clinicians, and researchers in shaping an affordable, prevention‑oriented health system that improves both population health and economic sustainability.
Contact Your Member of Congress to Push for Physical Activity Guidelines
Senators Roger Wicker and Richard Blumenthal introduced the Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (S. 2303) in the Senate and Representatives Blake Moore and Jimmy Panetta introduced the Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (H.R. 6121) in the House. The bills would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to prepare and promote physical activity recommendations based on the latest scientific evidence at least every ten years.
S. 2303/H.R. 6121 would also direct HHS, five years after the release of each set of recommendations, to publish a midcourse report highlighting best practices and continuing issues relating to physical activity among Americans. Given the strong base of science and medicine that shows the benefits of exercise, every American needs to know the current physical activity recommendations to promote health and combat obesity.
Please click the Take Action link below and enter your information. From this information, your elected officials will be listed on the next page and a form letter will be provided asking your senators/representative to cosponsor S. 2303/H.R. 6121. Feel free to use the sample language provided or to edit the subject and text to reflect your individual views.
