Health Care
Summary of Position
In the wealthiest country in the world, no American should go without access to quality, affordable health insurance and health care. Unfortunately, our broken system leaves around 27 million Americans uninsured. To address the inadequacy of our health care system, Congressman DeSaulnier has been an ardent supporter of protecting, strengthening, and expanding the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In addition to fighting for a more equitable health care system that prioritizes people over profits, Congressman DeSaulnier strongly supports investing in research and innovation in new treatments and cures, addressing prescription drug affordability and health disparities, and improving the availability of and access to mental health care for all Americans.
By the Numbers
- There have been at least 70 Republican-led efforts to repeal or limit the ACA, which would cost 45 million Americans their health insurance.
- As of February 2024, 25% of Americans went without needed medical care within the last year due to cost.
- 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14.
- While usage has declined in recent years, 10% of high school students have used an e-cigarette in the last 30 days.
- Over 18.1 million Americans are living with cancer today.
Things to Know
- Survivor of Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Cancer Survivors Caucus
- Strong supporter of efforts to curb the youth tobacco epidemic
- Member of the Mental Health Caucus
- Sponsor of Medicare for All Act
Working for You
Supporting Health Research
Investments in health research boost our economy and lead to new treatments and cures for diseases of all kinds. Through the annual appropriations process, Congressman DeSaulnier has been strongly supportive of funding for medical research conducted through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies. Some NIH funding is distributed to universities and research institutions nationwide to support their research, including prominent Bay Area universities. In 2023, UC San Francisco received over $789 million in research funding from NIH, making it the top public university recipient of NIH funding for 17 years in a row.
Congressional Cancer Survivors Caucus
As a survivor of the most common leukemia in the world, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Congressman DeSaulnier founded the Congressional Cancer Survivors Caucus and runs it with his colleague Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA). The Caucus is an open forum that has hosted leaders in the cancer field such as the President of the Biden Cancer Initiative and former Executive Director of the President's Cancer Moonshot, Greg Simon, and the Director of the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Ned Sharpless.
Combatting the Vaping Epidemic
In 2023, over 2.1 million people under 18 used e-cigarettes, including 10% of high school students. The use of vaping products is undoing decades of progress made in reducing teen tobacco usage. That is why Congressman DeSaulnier introduced the Preventing Vape Use Act, which would ban the sale of any vape device that has not been approved by the FDA.
Improving Access to Mental Health Care for Children and Families
Millions of Americans are impacted by mental illness every year, particularly children. Unfortunately, the earliest most mental health programming in the United States begins is once a child enters elementary school. We know that the younger mental health interventions begin, the less likely it will be that the person develops lifelong negative impacts. That is why Congressman DeSaulnier introduced the Early Childhood Mental Health Support Act, which would provide funding to Head Start and early childhood education centers to provide mental health care and support for impacted children and families.
Increasing Access to Cancer Treatment Planning and Patient Navigators
Cancer treatment plans, which outline the steps that a patient will go through in treating their illness, improve outcomes and allow patients to actively participate in their own care. Congressman DeSaulnier introduced the Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act to encourage more doctors to use these treatment plans. Congressman DeSaulnier also authored the Patient Navigation Assistance Act to require Medicaid to cover patient navigation services and ensure that patients have help negotiating the complex health care system.
For a downloadable copy of Mark's health care work, click here:
