Health Care
I believe every Illinois family and small business owner should have access to quality, affordable healthcare. The landmark Affordable Care Act isn’t a panacea for all that ails the American healthcare system but it’s an important step in creating a new foundation for a healthy American future.
Since joining Congress, I’ve fought for critical insurance reforms that put patients in control of their healthcare while ensuring that the U.S. healthcare system remains the best in the world.
My healthcare priorities are:
- Improving our healthcare system and slowing the rise in healthcare costs
- Preserving access to reproductive health services for women and their families
- Protecting the benefits that our seniors have earned, such as Medicare and Social Security
- Expanding access to hospitals and specialty trauma centers in the District to ensure quality healthcare in our communities
- Promoting the establishment of grant programs to help train hospice care professionals as a means of improving the overall quality of medical care
- Investing in innovative, cutting-edge scientific research that is critical to discovering the next generation of cures that will save lives and reduce health costs
- Improving our nation’s mental healthcare services
For more information concerning my work and views on Health Care issues, please contact me.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
More on Health Care
Jul 30, 2014
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Sep 23, 2013
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Sep 20, 2013
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ACA and Illinois
- Currently, more than 1.4 million Illinois residents or 13% of Illinois's non-elderly population is uninsured. The Affordable Care Act will provide those who are uninsured as well as those who are underinsured with access to private health plans through Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace or Medicaid.
Sep 20, 2013
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Obamacare and Healthcare Providers
- The Affordable Care Act will help more patients access the treatment services and prescription drugs that you prescribe.
- The Affordable Care Act will help more patients obtain services in medically appropriate settings.
- Established the Community Health Center Fund that provides $11 billion over a period of five years for the operation, expansion, and construction of health centers.
- Included health care workforce initiatives to increase the number of providers available to serve patients nationwide.
Sep 20, 2013
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The Affordable Care Act and People with Existing Insurance
- Insurers must spend at least 80% of your premium dollars on medical care or quality improvements.
Sep 20, 2013
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The Affordable Care Act: Young Adults, Children
Young Adults:
- Allows young adults to stay on their parents' health plans up to their 26th birthday.
Sep 20, 2013
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The Affordable Care Act: Seniors
- The Affordable Care Act doesn't require seniors to do anything through the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace. Medicare beneficiaries will continue to use medicare.gov or 1-800-Medicare for Medicare Part D open enrollment from October 15 through December 7 and any other Medicare questions or concerns.
- Reduces prescription drug costs for seniors.
Sep 20, 2013
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The Affordable Care Act : People with Preexisting Conditions
- Insurers can no longer deny coverage or charge higher premiums for preexisting conditions.
- Insurers can no longer apply lifetime benefit limits on your coverage.
- Insurers can only apply modified annual benefit limits on your coverage. Beginning in 2014, insurers are prohibited from applying any annual limits on your benefits.
Sep 20, 2013
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The Affordable Care Act: Women
- Prevents insurance companies from dropping women when they get sick or become pregnant.
- Improves care for millions of older women with chronic conditions, by providing incentives under Medicare for more coordinated care.
- Over 47 million women with private health insurance are guaranteed free coverage of a range of preventive health services.
Sep 20, 2013
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The Affordable Care Act: Small Businesses, Non-profits
- The Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) allows small businesses and small nonprofits to compare and purchase coverage options on October 1, 2013 for coverage that can begin as early as January 1, 2014.