Issue Position: Health Care

Issue Position

Health care is one of the most critical issues Americans face today, with nearly 50 million Americans lacking health insurance. Insurance costs continue to rise at an alarming rate, significantly faster and higher than most other industrialized nations.

Since World War II, almost every President, Republicans and Democrats alike, has made efforts to reform the health care system. In 2010, Congress was finally able to pass the Affordable Care Act (also known as "Obama Care"), which represented progress, but was not as strong as most Americans would have liked. I'm not a big fan of "Obama Care". It did, however, secure coverage for many, including college students still living at home with their families and individuals with pre-existing conditions. Further, it ended caps on lifetime coverage and created a cap on salaries and bonuses not to exceed 15% of premiums received. However, if we are to truly change the trajectory of health care costs, I believe it would best be accomplished through a "Medicare for All" approach. Much like education is a human right, so is healthcare.

We should remember that Medicare is not a so-called "entitlement program'. It is an insurance account we all pay into, and nearly 97% of our contributions gets paid out to health care providers rather than a bureaucracy. This high patient investment rate far exceeds that of any private insurance carrier. In fact, most of the private carriers keep more than 25% of the premiums they receive from their members as salaries and bonuses.

My opponent, Rohrabacher, voted YES on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts (Ryan Budget Plan; Bill HCR34&SCR21). Rohrabacher voted NO on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP Reauthorization Act; Bill H.R.2). Rohrabacher voted NO on giving mental health full equity with physical health (Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act; Bill H.R.1424). Rohrabacher voted NO on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act; Bill HR 4 ("First 100 hours")). Once again, he is not standing for WE the People, he is standing for special interest campaign contributors.

Rohrabacher's Voting Record:

YES on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts (Ryan Budget Plan; Bill HCR34&SCR21)

NO on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP Reauthorization Act; Bill H.R.2)

NO on giving mental health full equity with physical health (Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act; Bill H.R.1424)

NO on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act; Bill HR 4 ("First 100 hours"))

NOT standing up for WE the People

Varasteh's Congressional Pledge:

Health Care is a human right
Medicare for all
Protect Medicare for seniors
Label our genetically engineered food
Standing up for WE the People

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