Issue Position: Promoting Access to Quality Health Care

Issue Position

The United States spends more on health care than any other nation, but we fall far short of achieving the best health outcomes among our peers. The effects of paying more for less have been devastating for American families:

*Health care costs are a factor in over 60 percent of bankruptcies;
*Millions of Americans exhaust their savings every year trying to cover medical expenses;
*Many people without insurance have been unable to get treatment.

This is unacceptable, and I firmly support the Affordable Care Act as a vital step in the right direction. I believe that the ACA has begun, and will continue, to significantly transform our health care landscape. For example, right here in New Jersey, the Affordable Care Act has closed the Medicare donut hole for 109,000 Medicare beneficiaries and will save middle class New Jerseyans more than $1,000 per year by 2019.

In Newark, we know that investing up front can produce great gains in the long run, and that the opposite is equally and sadly true. As Mayor I did not wait for the federal government to improve health access for Newarkers.

*In February 2009, I launched Newark Rx, which created immediate access to affordable medications for thousands of uninsured Newark residents by partnering with private foundations;
*We developed an innovative program with the Heinz foundation to expand residents' use of primary care physicians to reduce reliance on emergency rooms;
*Recognizing that quality care for mothers and children is of the highest priority, I created a network of over a dozen "Family Success Centers" that improve family access to healthcare, childcare, counseling, and benefits -- a one-stop shop for strengthening families;
*We worked hard to improve early childhood care and were recognized as being one of the most improved cities in America for immunizing our children;
*Took on health threats to our children, reducing the percentage of Newark kids with lead poisoning by 60% between 2007 and 2011;
*By this fall, we will have doubled the number of schools served by school-based health centers, which serve students and their families with medical, dental and behavioral health care.
*We increased access to parks and recreation centers, expanding options for fitness and exercise throughout our city;
*I fought for access to affordable and healthy food, and for the first time in Newark history, SNAP benefits ("food stamps") can be used at Newark farmers' markets.
*We began numerous programs throughout our city in partnership with schools, businesses, faith-based institutions and others to launch evidence-based anti-obesity programs;
*Attracted the first new supermarkets to several areas of Newark that have been without supermarket access for decades. Expanded urban farming and grew farmers markets, all creating a healthier food system and giving families better access to nutrition.

And while we have made gains in Washington, there is more that needs to be done. As your Senator, I will not rest until every New Jerseyan has access to affordable, high-quality health care. My priorities will include:

*Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Affordable Care Act to ensure that it is delivering on its promise.
*Working to have our nation better invest in prenatal and early childhood health initiatives -- proven measures that elevate lifelong health and reduce long-term burden on taxpayers;
*Helping our nation develop strategies for wellness and preventative health. This is truly the best way to reduce health care cost and elevate the quality of life;
*Vigorously defending women's access to health care, affordable birth control, and protecting every woman's right to make decisions about her reproductive health;
*Fighting against Republican efforts to repeal or weaken the Affordable Care Act;
*Developing legislation designed to decrease the cost of health care;
*Expanding efforts to fight the prevalence of food deserts and promoting access to healthy food options.

Ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable and high-quality health care should not be a partisan issue. It is not only the right thing to do, it also strengthens the economy and ultimately reduces costs for us all. As Mayor, I brought private foundations, government and the community together to find innovative solutions to public health problems, and I will work every day to deliver the same results in Washington.

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