Rep. Susie Lee to Nevada Medical Community: Health Care ‘Stories Like My Parents’ Are Why the Work of Every Person in This Room Is Vital’
Las Vegas, Nev. – U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (Nev.-03) delivered remarks at the 12th Annual Nevada Health Care Forum—attended by over 300 health care advocates, industry leaders, and government officials—to discuss a broad range of health care policies, including health care reform, consumer engagement, technological innovations, Medicare and Medicaid, and supporting our doctors and nurses. In her remarks, the Congresswoman identified issues impacting Nevada's health care system and highlighted the solutions she is working towards to address these issues.
The following is an excerpt from Rep. Lee's remarks, as prepared for delivery:
"Listen, there are very few issues in our state or country that are as important as making health care more affordable and accessible. For every Nevadan, every business, every senior, every family, health care is personal.
"No matter if we're talking about specific policies, technological innovations, or improvements to our workforce, ultimately every person wants to know: will these changes give me health care I can rely on? Will my family be okay if one of us gets sick?
"Like nearly half of all Americans, both of my parents had pre-existing conditions. When my father was laid off at 56 and was unable to find full employment and benefits after that. He and my mother struggled, and because they both had a pre-existing condition of high-blood pressure, were unable to afford insurance. My mom suffered a heart attack literally one month before she qualified for Medicare. And we almost lost our home because of all the hospital bills and doctors' bills.
"That's what it's like still for too many Americans. And stories like my parents' are why the work of every person in this room is vital.
"From our first responders, nurses, and doctors, to our business leaders and innovators developing the medical technology of tomorrow, Americans are counting on you, and they're counting on their elected officials, to make sure they get the care they need at their next doctor's visit, or that their next hospital stay doesn't break their bank account.
"No pressure, right?
"Well I promise that I'm right there with you, doing my part in Congress to improve our health care system from every angle, for every Nevadan."
BACKGROUND: Since day one, Rep. Lee has fought for affordable, accessible health care and the protection of Nevadans with pre-existing conditions. She has helped thwart numerous attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, including standing with Nevada and other states in the ongoing Texas v U.S. lawsuit. Rep. Lee has prioritized addressing southern Nevada's doctor shortage, which has reached crisis levels in recent years.
In June, the House adopted her amendment to increase funding for Graduate Medical Education positions and programs. The amendment was adopted with broad bipartisan support, with over 130 Republicans voting in favor of the amendment to be included in the FY2020 Appropriations budget.
In June as well, Rep. Lee introduced a bipartisan bill, the Rural and Underserved Residencies to Attract Long-Term (RURAL) Physicians Act, which aims to attract medical professionals to underserved communities like southern Nevada in need of a more robust physician workforce. The RURAL Physicians Act would allow student loan borrowers to qualify for interest-free deferment while serving a medical or dental internship or residency if the internship or residency is fulfilled in a rural, medically underserved, or Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) medical facility.
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