Health Care
Health care is a right, plain and simple. I came to Congress because my brother has a preexisting condition that left our family with a hundred-page medical bill. Without insurance, my parents never would have been able to afford the care he needed, but now insurance itself is becoming too expensive to afford. I hear similar stories from folks at every town hall and in every city I visit. Health care and prescription drug costs are out of control, in fact, the 43,000 people without insurance in our community could pay more than $600 a month for lifesaving medications like insulin. That’s unacceptable and I’m laser-focused on bringing those costs down.
The Affordable Care Act (also known as “the ACA” or “Obamacare”) was an important first step to getting health care for more people, especially folks with pre-existing conditions. I will always fight to protect that access and continue to expand health insurance coverage. I’m also working to bring down costs and bring more doctors and nurses to the Valley.
I’ve already passed multiple amendments through the House to help protect preexisting conditions and increase access to mental health coverage.
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More on Health Care
WASHINGTON – Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) announced that he will introduce the Specialty Treatment Access and Referrals (STAR) Act to provide support for the creation of new telehealth infrastructure. The bill will allow patients and doctors in the Central Valley to electronically connect with doctors in other areas of the state through eConsults and other telehealth services. The bill is cosponsored by Republicans Rep. Don Yong (AK-at large) and Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01).
Modesto, CA – Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) today announced a federal investment of $1,200,000 to allow Stanislaus County to expand its Community Assessment, Response, and Engagement (CARE) team by hiring a public health nurse, substance use clinician, and a project coordinator to buy recovery housing and emergency shelter vouchers. The investment is being made through the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs. Last month, Rep.
WASHINGTON – Representatives Josh Harder (CA-10), Paul Cook (CA-08), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), and Karen Bass (CA-37) today introduced the bipartisan Stopping Doctor Shortages Act, to close a loophole in federal regulations that prevents doctors in California and Texas from qualifying for student loan repayment programs. The California Medical Association (CMA) estimates the bill could bring 10,000 physicians to the state over the next decade.
Modesto, CA – Next week, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) and the Stanislaus County Veterans Service Office will host a workshop to help local Vietnam Navy veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange but have been denied their benefits for decades. For years, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has not covered Agent Orange-related health problems, including cancer, for some Navy veterans who served in Vietnam. Rep.
Modesto, CA – After meeting with local advocates for people with diabetes, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) released a report he had commissioned regarding the costs of insulin in the Central Valley compared with other developed countries. The report found that Central Valley residents who do not have insurance pay twenty-one times more for insulin than patients in Australia.
Modesto, CA – Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) today released the following statement regarding the announcement of S.J. Amoroso Construction Co. Inc. receiving the construction bid for the French Camp VA facility:
"We are long overdue in expanding local health care access for our veterans. Today's announcement is an important step forward in finally making the French Camp facility a reality. It is good to see tangible progress being made toward shovels in the ground after countless setbacks on this project.
Modesto, CA – After recently touring the Modesto VA Clinic, Rep. Harder heard from veterans and VA officials alike that veterans are experiencing unacceptably long wait times. He heard this is due in part because of doctor and nurses shortages in the Central Valley. After doing more digging, he found that these shortages are because the Modesto VA is prohibited from paying their medical practitioners as much as the Stockton and San Francisco VAs, thus lowering Modesto's ability to compete for talent. To remedy this issue Rep.
Turlock, CA - Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will invest $26 million to help continue Head Start programs in Stanislaus County. Head Start provides comprehensive early child education, as well as offering health and nutrition programs.
WASHINGTON – Following the passage of the majority of fiscal year 2020 "appropriations" bills in the House of Representatives, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) released a report outlining his record of success in securing funding for critical programs which support water projects, job training, and health care in the Central Valley.
WASHINGTON – Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) today voted for a bipartisan bill to eliminate a 40 percent tax on top-tier health insurance plans. The so-called "Cadillac Tax" was initially passed into law as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but its implementation has been repeatedly delayed thanks to bipartisan opposition.