Issue Position: Health Care

Issue Position

Ensuring access to high quality, affordable health care is essential for people in Northwest Washington and across the country. Throughout my time in Congress, I have advocated for health care that fits Northwest Washington's specific needs, including funding for critical access hospitals, better health services for veterans and Medicare beneficiaries, and health care that fits families' budgets.

In March 2010, I voted for and Congress passed legislation to make necessary changes in health care. The Affordable Care Act is an important step toward shifting the focus of health care from volume to value, improving the quality of care instead of just growing the quantity of care. I support measures in the law to keep Medicare sustainable and affordable by closing the prescription drug donut hole and cracking down on fraud that bilks taxpayers.

Northwest Washington is already seeing the improvements from the new health care law. Between January and July of this year, seniors in Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties saved an average of $1,030 per person on prescription drugs. Nearly 34,000 kids and 150,000 adults in our area now have health insurance that covers preventive care like check-ups and cancer screenings without co-pays, coinsurance, or deductibles.

Source