Let’s Talk About Healthcare

President George W. Bush once said that “healthcare costs are on the rise because the consumers are not involved in the decision-making process.” President Bush was right: individuals should be empowered to make their own healthcare decisions in collaboration with their provider. Time has proven that families’ healthcare needs are best represented by plans created by local doctors and patients versus politicians in Washington. Healthcare is personal.  

Access to affordable, high-quality health insurance should not be limited by state borders. Allowing individuals to purchase insurance across state lines will help expand coverage options and introduce greater competition into the marketplace, driving down prices and increasing the quality of care. Broader competition and fewer regulations will also ensure the longevity of the Medicare program and help lower prescription drug prices, which are critical pieces as we look to further reform America’s healthcare system. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a critical topic that must be included in healthcare conversation.  Often stigmatized or overlooked, mental and emotional health coverage should be expanded in today’s healthcare system. Americans have been largely isolated over the last three years. They’ve lost jobs, homes, and loved ones, and it has taken a toll on people’s mental well-being. Addiction and overdose rates are on the rise, as are rates of depression. Our system needs to show compassion for those suffering from mental illness and fatigue, helping them stay on – or return to – a path towards prosperity and achieving their goals. 

Across the board, we need to expand the healthcare resources available for all Americans. Collaborating with nonprofits, faith-based groups, and private sector networks, our government should focus on ensuring individuals – especially young people – have access to information, tools, and treatments that support healthy living, promote disease prevention and management, and ensure individuals the opportunity to pursue their American Dream.