Health care should be a right for all Americans, not just a privilege for some. The incumbent voted for all of Donald Trump’s failed plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Had this worked, everyday Coloradans – especially those with pre-existing conditions – would be left at risk of losing jobs, going bankrupt to afford medical treatment or even dying, while the wealthiest 1% would get huge kickbacks. No one in this country should be afraid that they will lose their life or their homes just because they got sick.
More than 20 million Americans, including 500,000 Coloradans, now have health coverage because of the Affordable Care Act. The law also requires insurance companies to spend their money on patient care, not administration and marketing. Young people and low-income earners have had the greatest gains, and are most at-risk if this coverage goes away. Since 2010, the Affordable Care Act has improved our health care coverage. But it is far from enough!
Yet many people – especially in Colorado’s rural areas – still struggle with high health care, medication, and insurance costs. Accessible health care isn’t really accessible if you can’t afford it or readily see providers. I will work to reform and improve the ACA, lower prescription costs and make sure we move towards achieving universal health care in the United States.
I support Medicare for All. Members of Congress, their staff and other federal workers have access to the best health care options available. So should the American public. As a leading nation in the 21st Century, we must provide all that one needs to be well human beings vision, dental, hearing mental wellness, substance use treatment, preexisting conditions, long-term coverage, reproductive planning, maternity care–full wellness coverage. Overall when people are well cared for, our nation thrives.
Cutting back essential health care services to women, children, veterans, rural and underserved communities in order to return favors to big donors is not morally responsible. I assure you I will be on the front lines of fighting for comprehensive, affordable, accessible health care for all people, not just for the privileged few.