The United States is the only high income country that does not have universal health care, and our citizens pay the price. Compared to other similarly developed countries, we have the lowest life expectancy at birth, the highest death rates for treatable conditions, and the greatest rate of people with multiple chronic conditions.  It’s time for change.  The United States needs a universal healthcare system to take care of the elderly, women, men, children, and our veterans.  Universal health coverage (UHC) is about ensuring that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, has access to the quality health care they need without suffering financial hardship 

One way to improve our healthcare system is with a single payer system and the other way is Medicare for all that would eliminate high copays, deductibles, and premiums. This will improve the long-term health conditions that are exacerbated by lack of access to affordable healthcare. 

I will be a vote to help Americans become healthier without overpriced healthcare or prescription drugs.  For us to be a healthier South Carolina and healthier America, we must: 

Strengthen Traditional Medicare 

• Traditional Medicare is vital healthcare coverage for Senior Americans to receive high quality and affordable care, the kind that we all deserve.  It is our tax dollars at work to keep us and those we love healthy.  However, Traditional Medicare does need to be strengthened and expanded to include at minimum dental, vision care, and prescription drugs.  And although you may get these things covered in Medicare Advantage, it is private insurance coverage.  Medicare Advantage is private insurance and has all the limitations on care, time delays on care, and cost associated with private insurance.  I will be a vote for improved Traditional Medicare coverage and for Medicare Advantage not to use the name Medicare in its name for the sake of transparency.

Expand Medicaid through the ACA

• According to the 2022 American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, 9.1% of South Carolina’s population, or 461,800 people, are uninsured. This is higher than the national average of 14% and gives South Carolina the 12th highest uninsured rate in the country. If the Republican Governor of SC would expand Medicaid, we could take care of the people who are not covered and lower the cost for everyone else (https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/medicaid-expansion-and-you/ ) .  South Carolina is one of the last of 10 states that has NOT Expanded Medicaid through the ACA (https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/issue-brief/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions-interactive-map/ ).  As your Congresswoman, I will strongly advocate for Medicaid expansion to improve the lives and health of South Carolinians. 

Women’s Reproductive Rights & Health 

• All humans deserve the right to choose, yet women weren’t always privy to this concept, and today, we aren’t again. Because of Republican lawmakers, the overturning of Roe v. Wade has caused an epidemic of banning women’s right to choice across the country. Women must be able to make decisions about their own body and live without fear of their future. I will always be a vote, advocate, and loud supporter for the right to choose by passing the Women’s Rights…. And overturning the Comstock Law… 

We as women, should all be entitled to equal access to health services like annual checkups, mammograms, widespread contraception, and safe abortions.  However, Black women experience a higher rate of mortality in pregnancy than white women.  These Maternal healthcare disparities can and must be fixed.  By extending healthcare coverage to low and moderate-income Americans, we can take steps toward reducing the racial disparities associated with lack of healthcare coverage. (https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/program-history/medicaid-50th-anniversary/entry/47671)