Issue Position: Health Care

Issue Position

I believe passionately that health care is a right for every American, not a privilege. I've spent much of my life with no health insurance coverage, and have a pre-existing health condition in diabetes that makes me acutely aware of, and like so many Americans, uniquely vulnerable to Republican attacks that seek to deny health care coverage. I believe we need to move as quickly as possible toward universal health care coverage and to do everything possible to make health care and prescription drugs more affordable. I'll build on the Affordable Care Act to make sure everyone has the opportunity to buy into Medicare if they so choose. Creating a public option will force insurance companies to compete, lowering health care costs for everyone.

I'm proud of our efforts in Washington state where we've established progressive models for the country in pursuit of these goals -- we've cut the uninsured rate from 14% to nearly 5% thanks to an efficient and aggressive implementation of Obamacare, and we've established the country's first long term care benefit that helps aging residents afford the care they need. These progressive policies that have improved the health and well-being of our citizens helped me earn a 100% rating from the Washington State Nurses Association while I served in the legislature.

The coronavirus crisis has made us acutely aware of the holes, shortcomings and inequality in our health care system, with essential workers who have bravely helped our country persevere through this crisis often enduring a lack of health coverage, while courageous health care professionals put their lives on the line to save others, even as they endured shortages of protective equipment and supplies.

We must continue to expand health insurance coverage for all as fast as possible. We must adamantly oppose continued efforts by the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress to strip away protections which ensure those with pre-existing health conditions are never denied coverage. We must also recognize that our public health infrastructure and brave frontline personnel must be given greater priority and value in our budgets and policies.

I applaud the recent U.S. House passage of the Lower Prescription Drugs Now Act, which would allow the government to directly negotiate drug prices for Medicare recipients and bring down prices for all medicines as a result -- now we need to get it out of Mitch McConnell's desk and passed into law.

I would aggressively pursue this ambitious approach to reducing health care and medicine costs by supporting other efforts, many of them that have bipartisan support, to stop pharmaceutical industry price gouging, create out-of-pocket limits for prescription drug costs under Medicare, and expand access to dental coverage.

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