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Healthcare

Ensuring Affordable Healthcare for All

Quality, affordable healthcare is a basic human right for all individuals, regardless of their economic circumstances or prior medical history. During my time as Insurance Commissioner of California, I saw firsthand how far the for-profit insurance industry will go to maximize their profits at the expense of consumers. I am a staunch supporter of universal healthcare and am committed to protecting Americans’ existing healthcare rights and addressing the racial disparities that permeate our current healthcare system.

Maintaining the Affordable Care Act

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 30 million Americans gained health insurance. I am dedicated to keeping this policy in place and maintaining its protections for all. The Affordable Care Act bans denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and prohibits charging women a higher premium for the same coverage. Maintaining the healthcare protections afforded to Americans in the Affordable Care Act is one of my major priorities, and you can be assured I will continue to fight to protect it.

Medicare for All

No American should be forced to choose between lifesaving care and putting food on the table. I am proud to support Medicare for All, which would create a single-payer system guaranteeing healthcare for all, regardless of income or employment status.

As one of the foundational systems of American healthcare, it is essential we not only protect Medicare’s existence, but also work to expand its benefits. Currently, Medicare coverage does not include dental, vision, and hearing care or mental health and substance abuse treatment. That is why I have continuously co-sponsored legislation that would expand these vital services.

Lowering Prescription Drug Costs

The cost of prescription drugs in America has skyrocketed, placing an immense financial burden on Americans whose lives depend on such medication. I was honored to vote in favor of the Inflation Reduction Act. This legislation, signed into law by President Biden on August 16th, 2022, gives Medicare the power to negotiate prescription drug prices, lowering health care costs for Americans nationwide.

Protecting Women’s Health

Every woman deserves access to reproductive healthcare, and I ardently oppose any actions to restrict a woman’s fundamental right to choose. Our intensely personal decisions belong to us, and I will continue to advocate for comprehensive women’s healthcare and abortion rights.

Addressing Health Inequities

Racial and ethnic health inequities, stemming from systemic racism, are an undeniable part of our present healthcare system. It is unconscionable that people of color continue to experience disproportionately worse health outcomes in America. In Congress, I am working to address health disparities, by funding community-based organizations and diversifying the healthcare workforce.