As the husband of a family nurse practitioner, and a senior member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, I know firsthand the challenges that exist in our current health care system. For more than two decades I have worked to make healthcare affordable and accessible for all Americans.
I am proud to have voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which is helping make sure the people of our district can get health insurance. This landmark legislation is holding insurance companies more accountable, increasing competition and guaranteeing more health insurance options.
Under the law, insurance companies can no longer drop your coverage when you get sick or deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. Adults with pre-existing conditions now have access to coverage. Being a woman can no longer be treated as a pre-existing condition and your coverage can’t be dropped because you become pregnant. Insurance plans are required to cover preventive services and immunizations with no co-payments. Seniors are saving millions on prescription drugs. Small businesses that provide coverage to their employees now get a tax credit on insurance premiums. And, the hidden taxes all insured individuals currently pay toward the cost of emergency room visits by people without insurance have ended.
In the Inflation Reduction Act, I helped pass legislation that brings down the cost of prescription drugs by allowing the government to negotiate to get fairer prices. This provision will save Americans billions of dollars.
During the pandemic, my legislation expanded telehealth helping people connect with their doctor in a safe and efficient way. I continue to lead the effort to make permanent and expand telehealth services.
I continue to fight against the healthcare cuts in the Big Ugly Law which kicks 15 million Americans off their healthcare, reversing many of the healthcare coverage gains Democrats have secured.