Health Care

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Everyone should have access to quality, affordable health care, but far too many Kansans can’t get the care they need or are faced with skyrocketing costs. No one should ever have to choose between getting lifesaving treatment or going bankrupt. That’s why I’m dedicated to finding ways to lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs, strengthen the Affordable Care Act, expand Medicaid, and improve quality of care. 

• Lowering health care and prescription drug costs: After years of fighting Big Pharma influence, I am proud we finally voted to allow Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices, which will help both Medicare patients and those on private insurance save money. Additionally, I voted to cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month for seniors—now, I’m working to extend that cap to everyone.

Learn more about the Inflation Reduction Act and how it is helping lower health care costs for Kansans.

• Preventing surprise medical bills: Medical emergencies are stressful enough without an unexpected bill showing up at your door. I worked across the aisle to pass a bipartisan law that eliminates surprise medical billing and protects patients. And after hearing about an Olathe family’s experience with an obscure insurance loophole that put them on the hook for thousands of dollars, I introduced legislation to close it.

• Improving the Affordable Care Act: Thousands of Kansas rely on the Affordable Care Act’s protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and I will always fight to protect those guardrails. Additionally, I helped pass a law to lower premiums for people who buy their own insurance, saving Kansas families an average of $980 a year on health care costs.

• Supporting mental health: I’ve supported legislation to expand mental health services, especially in schools and rural areas, because I believe that mental health is health. I also helped local law enforcement in Overland Park hire and train personnel to respond to mental and behavioral health crises, including opioid misuse and fentanyl poisoning.