Affordable Healthcare

Healthcare is a basic human right—not a privilege reserved for the wealthy or those lucky enough to have the right job. No one should ever have to choose between paying their medical bills or putting food on the table. Yet, for far too many Americans, that’s the heartbreaking reality. Families are drowning in medical debt, skipping necessary care, or rationing medications because our healthcare system prioritizes profits over people. It doesn’t have to be this way.

I believe we need to expand access to affordable, high-quality healthcare through a public option. A public option would allow anyone to buy into a government-run health insurance plan similar to Medicare, providing an affordable alternative to private insurance. This approach gives people more choices while ensuring no one is left without coverage. If you like your private insurance plan and want to keep it, you should be able to do so—but no one should be forced to rely on an expensive private plan if there’s a better option available. A public option would introduce real competition into the healthcare market, driving down costs and improving quality across the board.

One of the biggest drivers of high healthcare costs is the outrageous price of prescription drugs. Pharmaceutical companies have been allowed to charge whatever they want, putting profits ahead of patients’ lives. People shouldn’t have to skip doses of life-saving medications because they can’t afford them. I will fight to let Medicare negotiate drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies—a common-sense solution that has been blocked by special interests for far too long. By leveraging Medicare’s purchasing power, we can significantly lower drug prices not just for seniors but for everyone.

In addition to tackling prescription drug costs, I will work to cap out-of-pocket expenses for individuals and families so no one is bankrupted by medical bills. Surprise medical billing—when patients receive unexpected charges for out-of-network care during emergencies—must also be eliminated. Patients should never be penalized for circumstances beyond their control.

Protecting people with pre-existing conditions is non-negotiable. Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA), millions of Americans were denied coverage or charged exorbitant premiums simply because they had conditions like diabetes, cancer, or even pregnancy. We cannot go back to those days. I will always stand up for protections that ensure people with pre-existing conditions can get the care they need without fear of losing coverage or facing financial ruin.

Expanding access to mental health services is another critical part of making healthcare truly comprehensive. Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet millions of Americans struggle to access affordable mental health care due to stigma, lack of providers, or insurance barriers. I will fight to increase funding for mental health programs and ensure that mental health services are covered on par with physical health under all insurance plans.

Rural communities face unique challenges when it comes to healthcare access. Hospital closures in rural areas have left many Americans without nearby emergency care or specialists. I will push for increased federal funding to support rural hospitals and clinics, expand telehealth services, and incentivize healthcare providers to work in underserved areas.

Ultimately, my goal is simple: no one in this country should go without the care they need because they can’t afford it. Healthcare reform isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about building a system that works for everyone. By expanding access through a public option, lowering prescription drug prices, protecting people with pre-existing conditions, and investing in underserved communities, we can create a healthcare system that puts people first—not profits.