On the Issues
Access to Healthcare
During the last few years of my dad’s life, we found we needed around-the-clock care. My mom was unable to provide that care, so we turned to assisted living. Through that expensive, frustrating, and – at times – painful process, I saw firsthand the need for a health care system that is accessible and affordable to all. In Congress, I promise to stand up to Big Pharma to lower prescription drug costs for Michiganders, and to work across the aisle to improve health care access and affordability for all. In Congress, I will work to:
- Restore Medicaid coverage
- Cap the cost of critical prescription drugs and insulin so drug companies cannot inflate prices based on brand and or speciality
- Advocate for paid family and medical leave
- Work to improve the Affordable Care Act and healthcare exchange by providing more tax credits to lower premiums, creating more options on the exchange, and simplifying the process for small businesses and individuals
- Invest in telehealth services, increasing funding for rural hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
- Expand Medicare to cover vision, dental and hearing
Reproductive Freedom
My path to motherhood was not easy. Thankfully, advancements in reproductive technology, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), gave my husband and me the gift of our daughter. Going through the IVF process strengthened my belief that reproductive health care must be protected and available to all who need it. My plan for Michigan is one in which personal health care decisions are left to individuals, not mandated by the government. I will fight to:
- Codify and advocate for the protections set forth in Roe v. Wade in order to safeguard access to legal abortion;
- Protect access to IVF and other fertility services for those who wish to start a family
Jobs and the Economy
Growing up, I was raised by a small business owner and a public school teacher. We experienced the same financial ups and downs that many families face. I got my first job at age 13, and later worked two jobs so I could pay the bills. Hard work is in my DNA like many of us in West and Southwest Michigan. In Congress, I’ll look out for Michigan families like mine, and work to bring down the costs by:
- Advancing tax credits to organizations that are willing to build low-income and mixed-income housing projects throughout the region to address our lack of affordable housing
- Expanding of federal community block grants that offer dollars for affordable housing projects, including in rural communities
- Investing in Michigan’s semiconductor manufacturing capability so we can control costs and stand up to countries like China when they threaten our global supply chain.
- Investing in renewable energy to bring down the cost of energy
- Fighting for small businesses by cutting red tape, providing grant opportunities to accelerate growth, expanding high-speed internet access, and exploring innovative ways to support new entrepreneurs
- Addressing breakdowns in our national supply chain so we won’t be as reliant on the changing global supply chain
Labor
I come from a labor family. My mom was a public school teacher in West Michigan. My grandfather was an electrician in Detroit. My husband and father-in-law worked at Meijer’s and were members of UFCW 951. I know issues workers are facing today: from stagnant wages to stifled organizing efforts. I will work with union leaders to restore power to the labor movement such as:
- Passing the PRO Act, and support Davis-Bacon Prevailing wage protections
- Expanding relationships with the labor community and being available to meet with me to discuss national and regional issues
Education
I am a proud product of the Grand Rapids Public Schools and have spent the last thirty years of my life advocating for public school. We’re seeing teacher shortages across the district and learning shortfalls in our classrooms. I will fight to:
- Increase funding to early childhood education programs like Head Start.
- Invest in workforce training, apprenticeships, and ongoing education.
- Ensure that no child goes to school hungry.
Environment
The Great Lakes are the foundation of the Midwest and part of what makes Michigan such a great place to live. The effects of climate change and ongoing pollution threaten not just the health of the Great Lakes, but our communities that rely on them for so much. I will fight for:
- More funding to modernize and improve our water infrastructure and ensure our drinking water is free of harmful chemicals such as PFAS.
- Keeping Michigan’s water in Michigan;
- More funding and infrastructure to keep invasive species out of the Great Lakes;
- Legislation to establish stronger regulations to hold polluters accountable and protect our most precious assets for future generations
- A transition to renewable energy, reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and protect our already strained natural resources