An Update on Bipartisan Collaboration - and My Work to Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care
Hello Folks –
Over the past few weeks, our country has seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. In fact, last Friday, Johns Hopkins University reported over 83,000 new cases and over 900 deaths – which is the highest number of new cases reported in a single day since this pandemic started. We also learned last week that over 100,000 Washingtonians have now tested positive for the coronavirus.
These numbers are important reminders that we still have a long way to go before we crush this virus. Importantly, they are also crucial reminders that we all have a part to play in slowing the spread of COVID-19. So please keep wearing your masks, washing your hands, and staying socially-distanced from folks when at all possible!
As you may have seen in the media, I have been outspoken in pushing for Congress and the President to come to an agreement and pass a COVID relief package that delivers for the people. Nearly every day, I am speaking with families in our region facing financial difficulties because of this pandemic. Nearly every day, I am also speaking with small business owners who are struggling. I know that the urgency I feel about seeing folks get the help they need is shared in communities across our region.
Earlier this month, the House passed an updated version of the HEROES Act, a proposed compromise to crush this virus, to provide assistance to folks who are unemployed or experiencing housing insecurity, and to help small businesses on Main Street. The passage of that bill furthers the effort toward an agreement, and I am hopeful we will see an agreement announced soon. Now, more than ever, Democrats and Republicans need to secure a relief package that meets the needs of Americans who are hurting. Simply put, they shouldn’t have to wait any longer.
Working Together to Make Progress
Our national response to the spread of COVID-19 cannot, and should not, be about politics. Politicizing this outbreak will only make addressing it more challenging and could place our public health at risk. The safety, health, and well-being of our public should remain our top priority.
When I started in public service, I did so with two principles in mind:
- Our elected leaders need to represent their constituents and vote what they think is right. There are Democrats with some good ideas and with some bad ideas. There are Republicans with some good ideas and with some bad ideas. Our job as elected officials – my job as your representative – is to vote for the good ideas and vote against the bad ones. Obviously, that doesn’t sound like rocket science, but unfortunately – too often – that’s missing in our government today.
- We need to work together to solve problems. The vast majority of the bills I sponsored in the legislature have had bipartisan co-sponsorship. Neither party has a monopoly on good ideas, and I’ve found that we solve problems best when we solve problems together.
That’s why I am honored to serve as a co-chair of the Bipartisan Working Group. It’s a group of Democrats and Republicans focused on one thing – solving problems. In my view, there’s nothing to be gained when our elected officials define success as making the other party look dumb. Success should be defined as getting our economy and our country back on track from the current public health and economic crisis we are facing.
That’s why the Bipartisan Working Group has continued to meet throughout the pandemic to find common ground on how we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to find out how we can revitalize and reinvigorate our economy in the coming months together.
In recent weeks, we’ve talked about how we can support local employers and small businesses – and heard different perspectives on how federal response programs are helping our constituents and what else needs to be done. We’ve talked about how to support state, local, and county governments to ensure that we have the backs of those on the frontlines in our communities keeping us safe – including health care workers, firefighters, EMS workers, educators, transit drivers, and other vital workers. And, we’ve talked about infrastructure initiatives – to create new jobs, expand broadband to more communities, and build a greener economy. In fact, earlier this year, we proposed a bipartisan plan for infrastructure investment that could put people to work now and lay the foundation for economic growth over the long haul. I am hopeful that we could see something like this move forward in the months ahead.
Providing Quality, Affordable Health Care
Frankly, I’d like to see bipartisanship extend to strengthening our health care system. The increase in COVID-19 cases is also a reminder of the importance of ensuring every American has access to quality, affordable health care. That’s why it’s alarming that, when asked about the prospect of the Supreme Court repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) last week, the President said, “I hope they end it.” That’s just not right. And I don’t say that in a partisan way – I say it because repealing the ACA would be undeniably bad for the folks I represent.
Let’s be clear what repealing the ACA means. It means ending health care coverage for millions of Americans without a replacement or plan for them. It means ending protections for people with pre-existing conditions. It means ending the ability of young people to stay on their parents’ insurance until their 26th birthday. It means ending the ability to get preventive care – like mammograms and cancer screenings – without a co-pay. It means ending health care coverage for more than 20 million Americans who didn’t, or couldn’t, get health care coverage prior to the law’s passage. All of these protections are at stake if that law is overturned.
I wasn’t in Congress when the ACA was passed into law and, like most folks, I recognize that there are improvements that ought to be made to our health care system. I’m not content with the status quo. But rather than scrapping the law altogether in the middle of a global pandemic, I think we should work to build on the progress that has been made under the ACA. In my view, this progress is worth protecting. In fact, I’ve sponsored several bills to try to reduce health care costs for small businesses, improve access to primary care, and strengthen care in rural areas.
Earlier this year I voted to support of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act – which passed the House with bipartisan support. Among other things, this bill will:
- Lower health coverage costs by decreasing health insurance premiums. Many enrollees will see their premiums cut by half or more and, for the first time, no one will have to pay more than 8.5% of their income for a silver plan in the ACA marketplaces;
- Expand Medicaid coverage so more people get the care they need. In addition to protecting folks from losing their coverage, it’s expected that this bill will cover an additional 4-5 million people;
- Fight the maternal mortality epidemic by requiring states to extend coverage to new mothers;
- Improve Medicaid beneficiaries’ access to primary care physicians;
- Further reduce racial and ethnic health inequities by expanding coverage and premium assistance to more Black and Hispanic Americans; and
- Reverse the Administration’s expansion of “junk” health insurance plans that do not provide coverage for essential medical treatments and drugs and that are allowed to discriminate against people with pre-existing medical conditions.
Importantly, this bill also takes steps to deliver lower prescription drugs prices and ensure that Medicare can negotiate lower drug prices and make those prices available to more Americans. That’s a big deal! Over the years, I’ve spoken with far too many people who are grappling with the high costs of prescription drugs. The painful conversations that I have had with people in our region who have been forced to skip doses or cut their pills in half because the costs are simply too high have stuck with me and ultimately inform my approach to these issues. That’s why I’ve been such a strong proponent of reducing drug prices – and it’s another reason why I’m proud to support this bill.
But we know that more work needs to be done to make our health care system work better. That’s why I think Democrats and Republicans should be working together to fix problems with the ACA and to promote accessible and affordable health insurance that works for every family and employer. There’s real work to do to improve our health care system for doctors, rural providers, and – most importantly – for patients. Rather than playing politics, that should be the focus. I’ll keep at it.
Helping Our Students Reach New Heights
Nominating outstanding young people to our nation's Service Academies is one of the top honors of this job. Every year, the district I represent sends an incredible crop of candidates to the Navy, Air Force, Merchant Marine, and Army academies. These are not just future military leaders; many will transition into careers in the civilian world where they'll be leaders in the aviation, engineering, health care, and tech industries, among others.
The November 1st deadline to apply for this year's nomination is fast approaching. If you know a young person who may be interested in applying, please check out my website for more details!
Working for You
Supporting Our Shipyard
I’m proud to represent all who serve our nation - both in uniform and the thousands of civilians who ensure their ships are ready for deployment at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Last week, I joined Representative Rick Larsen at the Shipyard to receive a command brief from Capt. Wolfson, Capt. Crinklaw, and Executive Director Tift.
Being There for the Seafood Industry
Shellfish growers, charter fishers, and seafood processors have all been hit hard by COVID-19. I appreciated the opportunity to hear from seafood industry workers last week. I'm inspired by their resiliency, work ethic, and ingenuity as they adapt and overcome to push through this crisis. I'll keep pushing for a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package that delivers more help and provides new resources for folks in our region.
Having the Backs of Our Local Employers
It was great to check in with Pam Volz, President & CEO of the North Mason Chamber of Commerce, last week. The Chamber is doing tremendous work to help local employers navigate these unprecedented times. We need a COVID-19 relief bill that provides additional assistance to our small businesses and restaurants. Count me on the home team!
Supporting New Housing Programs
I appreciated speaking with Port Angeles City Manager Nathan West about the utility, rent, and mortgage support PA is providing to help individuals and small businesses weather the storm of this pandemic. Glad to see folks come together to coordinate relief to folks in need! Proud to be a partner.
OK – that’s it for now folks. Take care of yourselves - and of one another.
As always, I’m honored to represent you.
Sincerely,
Derek Kilmer