Issues

Today, the plight of over 30 million Americans without health insurance and the struggles of countless more who are underinsured ignite a passionate call for change.

Even among the insured, the soaring costs are a harsh reality, cruelly pushing medical bills to the forefront as the leading cause of bankruptcy in our nation. Astonishingly, our nation's GDP pours into a healthcare system that remains inadequate, vastly outspending other major countries per capita. Yet, despite these colossal expenditures, our health outcomes pale in comparison, and our infant mortality rate stubbornly remains high—a stark contrast to nations spending far less on healthcare. This injustice compels us to demand a brighter future.

Our focus should be on investing in the true heroes: the doctors, nurses, mental health specialists, dentists, and dedicated professionals who breathe life into our communities. Let's channel our resources into pioneering drugs, groundbreaking technologies that conquer diseases and alleviate suffering. Let's redirect our funds away from the pockets of profiteers, from the staggering executive paychecks, and from the nonsensical administrative expenditures that drain hundreds of billions annually. Our people, the heart and soul of this nation, deserve nothing short of a transformative and compassionate healthcare system that stands as a testament to our commitment to their well-being.

When I am in Congress, I will:

• Align with global norms by establishing healthcare as a fundamental right of U.S. residents through a Medicare-for-all, single-payer initiative, aligning the U.S. with leading nations.

• The Medicare for All Act of 2021 (HR 1976) comprehensive medical coverage, including dental, vision, pharmaceuticals, mental health care, and long-term care, while ending unaffordable co-pays, premiums, and deductibles.

• Enforce the Disability Integration Act for community-based care and affordable, integrated housing, to avoid institutionalization.

• Direct government action to establish clinics, centers, and hospitals in underserved regions, bridging healthcare gaps.

• Work to cancel all medical debts, addressing a pervasive healthcare issue.

In the absence of a Medicare For All bill that will address these issues, I will:

• Defend the right to abortion care.

• Streamline healthcare by eliminating complexities like networks, premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and unexpected bills.

• Support collaborative efforts to address the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries' profit prioritization over well-being.

• Mitigate prescription drug costs through the following strategies:

• Enable Medicare to negotiate prices via the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act.

• Cap insulin price at $20 per vial.

• Facilitate importation of cost-effective drugs through the Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act.

• Reduce drug costs by 50% with the Prescription Drug Price Relief Act based on benchmark rates from Canada, UK, France, Germany, and Japan.

• Address rural medical personnel shortage by funding Community Health Centers.

• Ensure debt-free education for doctors with tuition-free colleges and universities.

• Expand Telehealth accessibility to counter geographic isolation and enable remote primary care access.

• Utilize Telehealth to treat opioid use disorder, enhancing access to addiction specialists.