Health Care

Health Care

I have traveled the world and have visited so-called “rich” countries and so-called “poor” countries and have come to know the United States has among the best doctors, the best medical technology and the best hospitals in the world. Yet, too many Long Islanders don’t have health care. We can do better.

For many of us who do have health care, the costs are exceedingly expensive. In fact, excessive health care expenses forced eight million Americans into poverty in 2018. And, a recent poll found 25% of Americans said they or a family member put off treatment for a serious medical condition due to cost. Something that everyone needs in order to live a long, happy life should not be costing Americans everything they have.

In Congress, I will work with Republicans and Democrats to lower prescription drug prices, continue to require insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions and protect people from surprise medical bills. I will also support a system that allows for Medicare to negotiate prices for its members 65 years and up. These price negotiations will not only protect seniors from predatory pricing, it will cause prices to come down for those who need it most.

Further, I believe that requiring medical care providers to be transparent with their pricing information will enable patients to have more power in choosing the provider and care that is best for them in addition to spurring previously non-existent competition between providers. By giving consumers more power to make more informed healthcare decisions and negotiating for lower prices, Americans will be able to access much-needed healthcare without the burdensome financial repercussions.