Issue Position: Health Care

Issue Position

Today, more than 45 million Americans live without health insurance. In the 32nd District and the San Gabriel Valley, one in three residents lack health insurance, and 80 percent of the uninsured are working families. Many of these families are just one illness away from bankruptcy.

Even for those that are insured, many plans cover only a limited number of doctors' visits or hospital days, exposing families to unlimited financial liability. Over half of all personal bankruptcies today are caused by medical bills, and skyrocketing health care costs are making it increasingly difficult for employers, particularly small businesses, to provide health insurance to their employees.

That is why, as a Congressmember, Dr. Chu will fight for access and expansion of affordable and quality healthcare for our low-income families, seniors and the disabled.

It is a fight she has carried on since her days in the Assembly, where she led the fight against cuts to MediCal, Healthy Families and the developmentally disabled. She authored bills to improve the ability for Medi-Cal and Healthy Family patients to stay at the community clinic of their choice, thus allowing low income people to access clinic locations with transportation, linguistically and culturally competent service, and more comprehensive care, such as dental and optometry services. She also carried legislation that established a 211 service line to improve access to health and social services programs for underserved communities.

Dr. Chu opposes cuts to Medicaid and supports expansion of Medicaid eligibility to uninsured parents of children who are enrolled in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Expanding SCHIP will allow federal support for states that provide health services for legal immigrant children and pregnant women, as well as increase availability of funds for interpretation and translation services.

Dr. Chu agrees with President Obama's goal to provide affordable, accessible health coverage for all Americans.

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