Access to healthcare is under attack by the current administration and Republicans in Congress. Over 340,000 Ohioans are losing coverage due to cuts and restrictions imposed by this administration. Health insurance premiums are skyrocketing—both on the ACA exchanges and through employer plans—making coverage unaffordable even for those who haven’t lost it. Many rural and local hospitals are closing or at risk, making it harder for families to receive the care they need. This is reckless and dangerous.

We are safer and more secure as a society when more people—not fewer—have health insurance. When people must choose between basic healthcare and paying rent, buying food, or meeting other necessities, they become desperate. These policies betray the basic American values that are the foundation of our country.

As a cancer survivor, I know the harm that taking care away from people can do. I was fortunate to get the treatment I needed to win my battle—treatment made possible by NIH-funded research. But I’ve met so many who worry they won’t be as fortunate. Driving premium costs higher hurts our economy, weakens our healthcare system, and makes us all less safe.

Reproductive rights: I strongly oppose the Dobbs decision and will make it a top priority to fight for a bill that codifies reproductive freedom at the federal level. Women’s healthcare decisions belong to women and their doctors, not politicians. I approach this issue with humility, recognizing that these are often incredibly difficult decisions that women face, and they deserve the freedom to make the choice that’s right for them and their families without government interference. No politician has the right, or frankly the experience, to weigh in on medical decisions for women.

We’re seeing devastating consequences—women denied life-saving care, forced to carry nonviable pregnancies, maternal mortality rising. It is the right and humane thing to do to codify the right to abortion before fetal viability, protect access to contraception and IVF, and ensure no woman is denied emergency care because of political restrictions.

When I serve as your representative, I will fight to pass legislation that:

• Protects your relationship with your doctors by restricting when insurance companies can remove providers from their networks

• Expands access to affordable health insurance without increasing the national debt

• Removes insurance companies from medical decision-making and limits them to being payors—your doctor should make medical decisions, not insurance executives

• Gives families more choice in their health insurance options so they can decide what coverage works best for them

• Reduces the gap between in-network and out-of-network costs so people have real choice in their healthcare providers.

• Codifies reproductive freedom at the federal level.

Greater access to healthcare will make the American Dream a reality for the hard-working people of our district. I will be A Voice for All to make Ohio healthier and stronger.