Opportunity:
Expand Healthcare for All

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhumane.”
— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Issue

It's wrong that people have to choose between their health and paying their rent or other basic needs. Healthcare is more than just a service — it's a right that ties directly to our dignity, our value, and our productivity. Every person deserves healthcare that prioritizes their human needs, not corporate profits. We must strive to build a society where health is a priority, not a privilege.

What I’ve Done So Far

Throughout my career, I've been a vocal and effective advocate for equity in public health. In my role as Associate Director of the Office of Public Engagement during the Obama-Biden administration, I helped advocate for the groundbreaking Affordable Care Act. As a legislator, I've secured additional funding to expand our county's crisis hotline, declared racism a public health crisis, and ensured fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and testing. My focus has always been on keeping health equity at the forefront of our community's well-being.

What I Will Do in the Senate

  • Every individual deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare but our privatized healthcare system is too complex and too often prioritizes profits over patients. Healthcare decisions must be made by doctors and patients, not insurance companies. That’s why we need bold transformative solutions such as Medicare for All which would offer comprehensive coverage for everyone.

  • It's undeniable that too many in our community suffer silently from our nationwide mental health crisis. Although the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) was passed nearly 15 years ago, it has still not been fully implemented. We must expand MHPAEA to require insurance companies to provide comprehensive coverage for mental health care so that no person faces financial hardship when seeking help. Beyond legislation, we must boost funding for mental health services and continue efforts to destigmatize mental illnesses, ensuring everyone has access to the essential care they need.

  • It is crucial to also address the shortage of nurses and healthcare professionals. I commit to introducing legislation that would further expand federal funding for domestic nursing education. By providing financial support for nursing education programs, we can attract more aspiring nurses and help offset the often-daunting costs associated with obtaining a nursing degree. Democrats have already begun similar efforts: last year, President Biden's Department of Health and Human Services made a massive leap and invested $14 million to expand nursing education and just this year, the Department of Labor gave $78 million to strengthen the nursing workforce. These are crucial steps forward to create incentives to join the nursing workforce, but we can do so much more. I will seek to make the investments permanent and recurring, adjusted for inflation.

  • Additionally, tackling the exorbitant costs of prescription drugs is essential to make healthcare accessible to all. I will support legislation that caps the costs of prescription medications.

  • The opioid epidemic has left painful marks in every community in our state. It’s taken loved ones, hurt families, and left too many in distress. As your Senator, I will work with state partners to fight for new funding.