Believing every American should have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare, Chairman Yarmuth remains a tireless advocate for reform across all sectors of the healthcare industry and a vocal proponent for a Medicare for All system. Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became law more than a decade ago, Americans have seen improved health outcomes, greater financial peace-of-mind, higher quality coverage, and a dramatic decrease in the growth rate of insurance premiums and overall health care costs. In the face of Republican efforts to dismantle the ACA, Chairman Yarmuth has worked with colleagues to strengthen, and expand important provisions, including those that protect Americans with pre-existing conditions and eliminate health disparities. While the landmark ACA has vastly increased access to health care, Congress can, and must, do more to prevent surprise billing, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and address workforce shortages.
The coronavirus pandemic has brought to the forefront these and other faults in our health care system, and with devastating consequences. Since the onset, Chairman Yarmuth has helped to ensure frontline workers have the personal protective equipment they need to remain safe in the battle against COVID-19, fund Community Health Centers and other facilities and programs that serve our most vulnerable populations, and address systemic racial and economic disparities in our health care system. Unfortunately, from what we know of this virus, the threat is far from over and will require leaders like Chairman Yarmuth who are willing to implement a coordinated response that includes support for testing and contact tracing, and ensures safe, affordable treatments and a vaccine for all Americans when they become available.