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’s (CA-10) Paid Sick Leave Credit Act has passed the House of Representatives as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Rep. Harder’s bill will provide tax credits to businesses that pay sick leave to employees who miss work because of the Coronavirus.
WASHINGTON – In response to concerns over missed work for employees, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) has introduced the Paid Sick Leave Credit Act of 2020. The bill would provide tax credits to businesses that pay sick leave to employees who miss work because of the Coronavirus. The bill complements legislation being led by the House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott which would require businesses to provide paid sick leave to workers affected by Coronavirus.
WASHINGTON – Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) released the following statement following President Trump’s 2021 budget proposal:
“This budget is so absurd that I’m almost waiting for someone to yell April Fools. Literally less than a week ago the President said that he wants to protect health care at the State of the Union – but actions speak louder than words and today he put out a proposal that would cut $1.6 trillion from health care programs. This is terrible for the Valley and our families, and I’ll fight these cuts tooth and nail.”
WASHINGTON – After the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) admitted that a “clerical error” had allowed a lapse in the official public health emergency for the opioid crisis, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) sent a letter to the Department’s Secretary, Alex Azar, demanding answers.
WASHINGTON – Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) released the following statement after President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union Address.
“Tonight we heard a lot of the same tough talk, but talk is cheap.
WASHINGTON – Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) released the following statement in advance of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address.
“I hope the President doesn’t come out guns blazing. I’m sure it’s tempting for him to be punchy because of all the fighting in Washington, but after all this chaos, it would be nice to hear something that’s unifying and optimistic.
WASHINGTON – After spending months fighting to ensure that Vietnam Veterans with Agent Orange-related health conditions not currently covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) receive their benefits, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) announced that he will be joined at the 2020 State of the Union by someone directly impacted by the lack of coverage – local veteran Joshua Melendez of Modesto.
Modesto, CA – Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) announced that his office – working with the office of Assemblyman Heath Flora – helped local veteran John Bokelman of Manteca get the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover his medical bills totaling $573,108.54 after incorrectly denying his claims. Mr. Bokelman had two heart attacks in 2017, but the VA refused to cover the costs associated with treatment on four separate occasions. Most alarmingly, the VA’s initial denial claimed that heart attacks were not emergencies. Without intervention, Mr.
Modesto, CA – Representatives Josh Harder (CA-10) and Jim Costa (CA-16) announced the Expanding Medical Education Act to establish a grant program to assist colleges and universities in the establishment of new medical schools in underserved communities. The grants would be directed towards communities with fewer than 200 physicians per 100,000 residents and no accredited medical schools in the area.
WASHINGTON – After the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) signaled that it would not cover several diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange for at least a year – if at all, Representatives Josh Harder (CA-10) and Pete Stauber (MN-08) introduced the Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act, which would require the VA to cover the conditions. Currently, Vietnam Veterans with specific health care problems developed as the result of exposure to Agent Orange during their service get “presumptive” access to benefits at the VA.