How the Democrats want to fix your healthcare

updated September 27, 2022

This post was published in 2020 when the Democratic Party updated its 2016 party platform and nominated Joe Biden to run for election as President. In 2022 I have published a series of posts reviewing the Democratic platform healthcare policies and proposals. I suggest you review them in addition to this older one. Here’s a link to one of them.

What do the political parties say about healthcare?

My intent is to present a non-partisan review since this blog does not endorse any party or candidate. If my reviews seem biased toward any specific viewpoint, that is unintentional.

I’ll summarize what I consider the highlights but encourage you to read the entire documents. I’ll include points that express the party’s positions as well as its proposals.

The Democratic Platform on health

The photos are for illustration only and are not associated with the platform or the party.

This party platform was voted on and passed by the membership at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in 2016. The platform re-approved at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

First, let’s read the introduction to the platform on health.

ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL AMERICANS

“Democrats have been fighting to secure universal health care for the American people for generations, and we are proud to be the party that passed Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Being stronger together means finally achieving that goal. We are going to fight to make sure every American has access to quality, affordable health care.

We will tackle the problems that remain in our health care system, including cracking down on runaway prescription drug prices and addressing mental health with the same seriousness that we treat physical health. We will fight Republican efforts to roll back the clock on women’s health and reproductive rights, and stand up for Planned Parenthood. And we will tackle the epidemics of substance abuse and gun violence, which each claim tens of thousands of lives every year.”

Securing Universal Health Care

Democrats believe that health care is a right, not a privilege, and our health care system should put people before profits.

Americans should be able to access public coverage through a public option and those over 55 should be able to opt in to Medicare.

Democrats will

empower the states to use innovation waivers under the ACA to develop unique locally tailored approaches to health coverage

work to end other practices that lead to out-of-control medical debt , repeal the excise tax on high-cost health insurance, reducing out-of-pocket expenses, and capping prescription drug costs

fight against insurers trying to impose excessive premium increases

fight any attempts by Republicans to privatize, voucherize, or phase out Medicare as we know it

oppose Republican plans to slash funding and block grant Medicaid and SNAP

keep fighting until the ACA’s Medicaid expansion has been adopted in every state

Supporting Community Health Centers

We must renew and expand our commitment to Community Health Centers, as well as community mental health centers and family planning centers.

Democrats will

double funding for federally qualified community health centers over the next decade, to include primary care, mental health care, dental care, and low cost prescription drugs

fight to train and support public health workforce

encourage providers to work with underserved populations

create a comprehensive strategy to increase the pool of primary health care professionals

Reducing Prescription Drug Costs

Democrats are committed to investing in the research, development, and innovation that creates lifesaving drugs and lowers overall health costs, but the profiteering of pharmaceutical companies is simply unacceptable.

Democrats will

crack down on price gouging by drug companies 

cap the amount Americans have to pay out-of-pocket every month on prescription drugs

prohibit anti-competitive “pay for delay” deals that keep generic drugs off the market

allow individuals, pharmacists, and wholesalers to import prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies in Canada and other countries with appropriate safety protections. 

Cutting-Edge Medical Research

Democrats believe we must

accelerate the pace of medical progress, ensuring that we invest more in our scientists and give them the resources they need to invigorate our fundamental studies in the life sciences in a growing, stable, and predictable way

make progress against the full range of diseases, including Alzheimer’s, HIV and AIDS, cancer, and other diseases, especially chronic ones

recognize the critical importance of a fully-funded National Institutes of Health to accelerate the pace of medical progress

Combating Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Democrats want to

confront the epidemic of drug and alcohol addiction, specifically the opioid crisis and other drugs plaguing our communities

expand access to prevention and treatment, supporting recovery

help community organizations, and promoting better practices by prescribers

encourage full recovery and integration into society of those struggling with addiction  working to remove common barriers to gainful employment, housing, and education

fight to expand access to care for addiction services, and ensure that insurance coverage is equal to that for any other health conditions 

do more to educate our youth, as well as their families, teachers, coaches, mentors, and friends, to intervene early to prevent drug and alcohol abuse and addiction

help state and local leaders establish evidence-based, age-appropriate, and locally-tailored prevention programs

Treating Mental Health

We must treat mental health issues with the same care and seriousness that we treat issues of physical health, support a robust mental health workforce, and promote better integration of the behavioral and general health care systems. Recognizing that maintaining good mental health is critical to all people, including young people’s health and development.

Democrats will

work with health professionals to ensure that all children have access to mental health care

expand community-based treatment for substance abuse disorders and mental health conditions and fully enforce our parity law

create a national initiative around suicide prevention across the lifespan—to move toward the HHS-promoted Zero Suicide commitment

Supporting Those Living with Autism and their Families

Democrats believe that our country must make supporting the millions of individuals with autism and those diagnosed in the future and their families a priority.

Democrats will

conduct a nationwide early screening outreach campaign to ensure that all children, and in particular children from underserved backgrounds, can get screened for autism

expand services and support for adults and individuals transitioning into adulthood, including employment and housing assistance

push states to require health insurance coverage for autism services in private insurance plans as well as state marketplaces so that people with autism are not denied care

Securing Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice

Democrats are committed to protecting and advancing reproductive health, rights, and justice. We believe unequivocally that every woman should have access to quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion.

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Democrats will

stand up to Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood health centers, which provide critical health services to millions of people 

continue to oppose—and seek to overturn—federal and state laws and policies that impede a woman’s access to abortion, including by repealing the Hyde Amendment

combat any acts of violence, harassment, and intimidation of reproductive health providers, patients, and staff

defend the ACA, which extends affordable preventive health care to women, including no-cost contraception, and prohibits discrimination in health care based on gender

address the discrimination and barriers that inhibit meaningful access to reproductive health care services, including those based on gender, sexuality, race, income, disability, and other factors

support a woman’s decision to have a child, including by ensuring a safe and healthy pregnancy and childbirth, and by providing services during pregnancy and after the birth of a child, including adoption and social support services, as well as protections for women against pregnancy discrimination

We are committed to creating a society where children are safe and can thrive physically, emotionally, educationally, and spiritually. We recognize and support the importance of civil structures that are essential to creating this for every child

Ensuring Long-Term Care, Services, and Supports

Our country faces a long-term care crisis that prevents too many seniors and people with disabilities from being able to live with dignity at home or in their communities. The vast majority of people who are aging or living with a disability want to do so at home, but face challenges finding and affording the support they need to do so.

Democrats will

take steps to strengthen and expand the home care workforce

give seniors and people with disabilities access to quality, affordable long-term care, services, and supports

ensure that all of these resources are readily available at home or in the community

Protecting and Promoting Public Health

Investment in our nation’s crumbling public health infrastructure is critical to ensuring preparedness for emerging threats; for preventing disease, illness, and injury in communities; and for promoting good health and wellbeing.

Democrats will

continue to oppose Republican attempts to cut public health services and funding

ensure adequate funding of public health education at the undergraduate, graduate, and medical school levels as well as adequate funding of residency training programs in public health, preventive medicine, and its subspecialties

fight for increased investments and coordination in public health to better address emerging threats as well as persistent needs across our country

pursue policies addressing these social factors (that cause poor health)  and empowering communities to respond to their most pressing health needs

Ending Violence Against Women

Democrats are committed to ending the scourge of violence against women wherever it occurs —whether in our homes, streets, schools, military, or elsewhere.

Democrats will

continue to support the Violence Against Women Act to provide law enforcement with the tools it needs to combat this problem

support comprehensive services for survivors of violence and increase prevention efforts in our communities and on our campuses

provide comprehensive support to survivors, and ensure a fair process for all on-campus disciplinary proceedings and in the criminal justice system

increase sexual violence prevention education programs that cover issues like consent and bystander intervention, not only in college, but also in secondary school

Preventing Gun Violence

Democrats believe that we must finally take sensible action to address gun violence. While responsible gun ownership is part of the fabric of many communities, too many families in America have suffered from gun violence.

Democrats will

 expand and strengthen background checks and close dangerous loopholes in our current laws

repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) to revoke the dangerous legal immunity protections gun makers and sellers now enjoy; and 

keep weapons of war—such as assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines (LCAM’s)—off our streets

fight back against attempts to make it harder for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to revoke federal licenses from law breaking gun dealers, and ensure guns do not fall into the hands of terrorists, intimate partner abusers, other violent criminals, and those with severe mental health issues

Here is the link to the party platform which I encourage you to read for yourself.

The Democratic Party Platform

exploring the HEART of healthcare change