Every American should have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. No one should lose their home or be ruined financially in order to afford life-saving procedures or prescriptions. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) put our country on the right path by providing healthcare to millions of Americans and over 100,000 Connecticut residents. Unfortunately, more than 26 million Americans remain uninsured in our nation. Congress needs to find pragmatic, innovative solutions to expand healthcare coverage and decrease costs.
In my time in Congress, I’ve supported measures that expand mandatory paid medical and family leave, decrease prescription drug costs, cap insulin prices, expand health insurance subsidies, ensure coverage for telehealth services, encourage sensible Medicare and Medicaid reform and protect women’s reproductive freedom. I am proud to have supported some of the most comprehensive healthcare reforms this country has accomplished in recent decades through the Affordable Care Act, CARES Act, American Rescue Plan, and Inflation Reduction Act. Moving forward, I will continue to support measures that expand eligibility for insurance coverage and fund public health and medical communities to ensure robust medical research.
Maternal Healthcare
The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, with Black women facing disproportionately higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth. In fact, Black women are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as white women. Gaps in health insurance coverage, unequal access to quality care, and longstanding racial disparities in the health care system all contribute to these unacceptable outcomes for mothers and infants alike. I remain committed to expanding access to affordable, high-quality maternal health care and addressing the inequities that put far too many women and babies at risk.
I have consistently supported the Momnibus Act, a comprehensive package of legislation designed to address the many factors contributing to maternal mortality, maternal health complications, and racial disparities in care across the United States.
Mental and Behavioral Health
For too long, the importance of mental and behavioral health has been ignored as core tenets necessary for fulfilling and healthy lives, relationships, and communities. Our nation’s mental and behavioral health crisis undermines our moral sensibilities to ensuring equitable health outcomes and weakens our collective strength.
In 2022, the Biden Administration launched the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, creating an easy-to-remember three-digit number that connects people in crisis with trained counselors and support services. Early studies have shown that the 988 lifeline has contributed to a decline in youth suicide deaths and expanded access to immediate mental health assistance for people across the country. Congress must continue protecting and strengthening mental health programs while investing in a more accessible and responsive care system so every American can receive the support they need.
Community Health Centers
Community health centers are a vital part of our health care system, providing affordable primary care to millions of Americans in underserved urban and rural communities. These centers offer comprehensive medical, behavioral, and supportive services to patients regardless of their ability to pay, ensuring families can access quality care close to home.
Connecticut is home to 17 community health centers that serve more than 400,000 residents each year. I am proud to support these health centers and the critical care they provide, helping ensure that every family, regardless of income or background, can receive affordable health services in their community.