Expanding the Medicare system is our best option to make affordable health care accessible to everyone

Americans are not ready to give up private insurance, and shouldn’t have to do so
Medicare is not a perfect system, and we should fix known problems and close gaps in coverage and address shortfalls in provider reimbursement as part of the reform process
Reform should strengthen access to preventive care to reduce long-term costs, eliminate administrative waste, and realign incentives to promote more efficient use of resources and better outcomes
Put an end to “surprise billing,” especially in connection with hospitalizations where patients have little choice about providers or the scope or cost of care

Lower prescription drug prices

Eliminate barriers to entry for manufacturers of generic drugs and reduce the monopoly power of drug manufacturers
Examine patent laws that have allowed older drugs to be brought back under patent protection with minimal changes
Give the federal government the ability to negotiate drug pricing
Drug pricing should be more closely correlated with the costs of production and with international standards
Continue to support research and development into new, potentially life-saving medications

Increase treatment options for opioid and other addictions

Support treatment facilities, supportive housing, transitional facilities, and counseling to assist those battling addiction

Support hospitals and other healthcare facilities in rural and underserved urban areas

Closing rural hospitals can lead to the collapse of the entire community it supports
Medicaid expansion has been strongly linked to better outcomes for rural hospitals and should not be optional

Incentivize doctors and nurses to serve where needed

Covering the costs of medical education in exchange for service in rural and underserved urban areas increases the number of doctors, nurses and other health care workers in underserved communities