Expanding Access to Affordable Healthcare

Millions of families across our state and country have benefited from the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Instead of repeating partisan talking points, Sherrod focuses on protecting those who have benefited from the ACA, including more than four million Ohioans who no longer have to worry about hitting lifetime coverage caps, more than three million Ohioans with private healthcare plans that now include access to preventive services, and nearly two million Ohioans with pre-existing conditions.

When Washington Republicans tried to gut the Medicaid expansion that allowed more than 700,000 Ohioans to access low-cost insurance coverage — including 150,000 who struggle with addiction — Sherrod stood with Republicans like Governor John Kasich to fight back. Sherrod has also teamed up with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) to propose legislation to bring targeted healthcare tax credits to seniors and secure hard-earned coverage for retired miners who sacrificed their health and safety to support their families and power our nation.

Sherrod has always stood with consumers and patients in the fight for fair prescription drug prices. Whether it’s going after price-gouging drug companies or spearheading proposals that would allow Medicare to directly negotiate prescription drugs and increase competition in the pharmaceutical marketplace, Sherrod’s track record shows he’s not afraid to tangle with Big Pharma to make sure Ohioans can afford the prescription drugs they need.

Last year’s Republican-led attempt to allow the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to expire demonstrated how vital it is that Ohio’s children have an advocate like Sherrod in the U.S. Senate. In addition to his relentless fight for CHIP, Sherrod is a strong supporter of policies to fund training for pediatricians and pediatric specialists. He has worked across the aisle with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) on proposals to create and fully fund a national pediatric research network, standardize care across state borders, and combat sudden childhood deaths.

Sherrod has worked throughout his career to protect and expand Medicare, beating back attacks on this essential program and advocating to lower the eligibility age to 55. He has championed proposals to allow Medicare to directly negotiate prices and increase competition through generic alternatives and to establish free preventive cancer and osteoporosis screenings under Medicare. Reaching across the aisle, Sherrod has worked with Senator Portman to introduce legislation to extend a critical healthcare tax deduction for seniors.

Ohio’s opioid epidemic is putting a huge strain on our families and communities. That’s why Sherrod has teamed up with Senator Portman on legislation to increase access to healthcare professionals and facilities, direct research treatment options, and prevent addiction before it begins. Sherrod is also a consistent advocate for increasing awareness and education to combat diseases from widespread ones like breast cancer to rarer diseases like Zika virus, Ebola, tuberculosis, and sickle cell anemia.

• Ohio State Medical Association