Health Care
All Americans should have comprehensive, affordable, quality health care as a fundamental right. The Affordable Care Act, which I voted for in 2010, has been a major step in the right direction. It has expanded health coverage and protected patients, no matter how you get your insurance. However, we have more work to do to reduce costs, including out-of-control prescription drug costs, and to further improve the quality of care.
In Congress, I strongly oppose efforts to repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act, weaken Medicaid for vulnerable Americans, or endanger Medicare for seniors today and in the future. I strongly support creating a public option in our health care system, efforts to address health disparities, and policies that will address the rise of prescription drug costs. We must also do more to ensure all Americans have access to mental and behavioral health services. To fulfill our goal of a true universal health care system, I have proposed the America’s Right to Health Care Amendment, which would enshrine a fundamental right to health care in our Constitution.
More on Health Care
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) today joined House Appropriations Democrats in voting to approve the FY 2020 Labor-HHS-Education bill, which invests in improving lives and rejects President Trump’s harmful budget cuts.
The Labor-HHS-Education bill includes $189.9 billion in discretionary funding, an increase of $11.8 billion over the 2019 enacted level and $47.9 billion over President Trump’s 2020 budget request. The bill provides:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL, MN-04) has introduced an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to make health care a right for all Americans. The Health Care for All Amendment (H.J. Res. 17) states:
“Health care, including care to prevent and treat illness, is the right of the people and necessary to ensure the strength of the Nation. The Congress shall have power to enforce and implement this article by appropriate legislation.”
Congresswoman McCollum released the following statement:
WHY ARE MEDICARE COST PLANS SUNSETTING?
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL–Minn.) introduced a five-year reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) that reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The bipartisan fiscal year 2019 Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes a provision offered by Representative Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) that enables individuals who are diagnosed with cancer to defer payments on their public student loans while actively receiving lifesaving treatment.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement after she voted against the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2017 (H.R. 184):
The medical device industry serves a vital role in Minnesota by supporting thousands of jobs and providing lifesaving technology.
Representative Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) yesterday offered an amendment during the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education appropriations bill markup that would permit individuals who are diagnosed with cancer to defer payments on their public student loans while they receive lifesaving treatment. This amendment was adopted by the House Appropriations Committee.