Issue Position: Responding to the Public Health Impacts of COVID-19

Issue Position

On March 4, Michael Flor, a 70-year old Seattle resident, was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of COVID-19. When he was discharged on May 5, the heroic doctors and nurses who helped him survive lined up and cheered as he exited the hospital. Days later, Flor got his hospital bill, for more than $1.1 million. The story of Michael Flor is the story of COVID-19 in America: the strength of Michael and his family, the heroism of doctors and nurses who risked their lives every day to care for him, and the injustice of a health care system that leads even well-off folks to financial ruin.

No one should go broke paying for healthcare in America, whether it be COVID-19 related costs or not. That's why Candace supports a robust public health care option.

In Congress, Candace will:

*Fight for a robust public health care option to ensure no American goes broke from the costs of medical care.
*Ensure testing for COVID-19 is free and widely available for all communities.
*Invest in basic and advanced science initiatives at the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control; it couldn't be more clear the threat that novel viruses and superbugs pose to our communities, and we need to dramatically enhance our ability to prepare and respond.

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