Health

As a two-time cancer survivor and father of two kids with Crohn’s disease, I know that health care is a human right—not a privilege for those who can afford it.

Right now, we live in a country where pharmaceutical companies make billions in profits while working people have to crowd-sourc funding to cover their health care costs. And, despite all the money we’re spending, Americans still have worse health outcomes compared to other countries. It doesn’t have to be this way.

We have the means to streamline our bloated, cumbersome health care system by expanding Medicare—a program that already works—to cover every American. This is the surest way to guarantee health care for all while strengthening protections for people with pre-existing conditions and lowering inhumane and unsustainable prescription drug costs. That is why I am an original cosponsor of the Medicare for All Act.

At the same time, until we build the political consensus to achieve that big picture change, we have to defend and expand the Affordable Care Act to protect people with pre-existing conditions and lower drug costs. That’s why I introduced the STOP GAMES Act, which would prevent drug companies from gaming the system and ultimately help cheaper, generic drugs come to market faster.

We must also treat our nation’s gun violence epidemic like the public health crisis that it is. After the Sandy Hook school shooting, we said never again. After the Orlando nightclub shooting, we said never again. After the Parkland, FL shooting, we said never again. Thoughts and prayers are no longer—and have never been—enough.

It is past time for our country to enact gun safety laws that will save lives and end the horrors of gun violence. As a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I promise to make good on our word when we say, “never again.” Sensible gun safety laws like universal background checks, banning assault weapons and undetectable firearms, and stopping online ammunition sales will prevent gun violence and protect our loved ones.