About diabetes: Dean Phillips — Member of Congress USA

Dear Ms. Mosseeva-Helier,

Representation begins with listening, and I appreciate hearing from you about our healthcare system.

I believe that it is time for us to make the moral decision to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable, high-quality healthcare – no matter their circumstances. That is why I support providing a public option for all Americans, creating both choice and competition. You can watch my full speech about healthcare on the floor of the House of Representatives here. I am working hard to improve our nation’s healthcare delivery model and lower the cost of care by taking action on the following issues:

Reducing the Costs of Prescription Drugs:It is shocking and reprehensible that in the richest country in the world, nearly a quarter of the population is unable to afford their prescriptions. It is time that we allow Medicare to directly negotiate drug prices and lower the price of prescription drugs by allowing generic drugs to enter the market earlier. We also must make insulin more affordable and increases access for those who need it. That is why I support providing states with grants to set up short-term emergency insulin supplies.

Protecting Individuals with Pre-Existing Conditions: I believe we should strengthen protections for people with pre-existing conditions which is why I support eliminating association and short-term plans and reducing patient costs through expanded tax credits and subsidies. 

Fixing the Affordable Care Act (ACA): There is no denying that there are aspects of the ACA that need fixing, but without the ACA, 20 million Americans would lose their health insurance. I also hear from many Minnesotans who cannot afford their premiums. That is why I believe we must help lower premiums in the individual health insurance market and encourage states to create their own state-based marketplaces to cover the costliest medical claims and lower premiums overall through reinsurance programs.

Strengthening Medicare Services: I’m committed to protecting and strengthening earned benefits like Medicarewhile working to lower the cost of prescription drugs for our seniors and their families. Congress should be working to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid and ensure the long-term solvency of both programs. I support preserving access to home health care services for Medicare recipients and promoting innovative approaches to home and community-based supports. If you are having issues contacting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), or need help with a federal agency, you can call our office for assistance at (952) 656-5176.

Expanding Mental Health Services: We must improve access to mental health services and remove the stigma surrounding mental health. Comprehensive health care includes mental health, and it’s time we invest in quality mental health care for all. I support allocating funding for schools to partner with mental health professionals and to establish on-site mental health care services for students. I also believe we must update the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) to improve the delivery of mental health services for children and families in the welfare system.

Improving TRICARE: TRICARE is the health care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. Our service members deserve the utmost respect for the sacrifices they have made for our country, and respecting that service means giving them affordable, high-quality healthcare. I support expanding TRICARE Reserve Select to those who serve in the National Guard or Reserves, providing chiropractic services and benefits through TRICARE, and ensuring that active duty military members and family covered by TRICARE receive coverage for breast cancer screenings.

Increasing Funding for Medical Research: I believe that Congress must support the work of scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) who could make a huge difference in so many lives. I support funding research activities at the NIH related to Alzheimer’s, cancer, and other diseases. More must be done to discover the cause of these diseases, manage associated health care costs, and ultimately, to find cures.

These steps represent a beginning. I will continue to be a staunch advocate for expanding access, improving quality, and reducing the cost of healthcare. My staff and I will continue to monitor bills pertaining to healthcare as they progress, and I will keep your message in mind. Thanks again for taking the time to contact me, and please continue sharing your perspectives and ideas. I’m listening – and reading.

Keep the faith and keep in touch,

Dean Phillips
Member of Congress