Dear Friend,

The need to expand access to quality and affordable health care could not be more urgent. As a result of COVID-19, we’ve seen millions of Americans lose their employer-provided health insurance, which has only served to exacerbate this public health emergency. Fortunately, we have an opportunity this Congress make sure that no family ever forgoes medical care just because they can’t afford it.

This week I was proud to introduce the Health Care Improvement Act – legislation to lower health insurance costs for working families and protect coverage for Americans living with preexisting conditions. This bill would help counter the devastating effects of this health and economic crisis, which is why I’m gong to be working with my colleagues to get this passed and onto the President’s desk.  

Frankly, after four years of relentless Republican attacks to the Affordable Care Act, I’m glad to see that health care is an early priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. I’m particularly encouraged by the Administration’s plan to open a special enrollment period – something I called for more than eight months ago. This move will allow folks who lost their coverage during the pandemic to sign up for health insurance on healthcare.gov starting February 15.

I’m also pleased that President Biden’s executive order calls on agencies to review policies that undermine protections for those with preexisting conditions. Throughout my time in the Senate, I’ve pushed to protect the more than 3.5 million Virginians living with a preexisting condition. In fact, last Congress I led my colleagues in urging the Trump administration to limit “junk plans.” I also forced a vote on the Senate floor to try to stop the propagation of these bare-bones plans that destabilize the health insurance market and discriminate against people with preexisting conditions.

As always, you can count on me to keep working to lower health care and prescription drug costs for working families. In the meantime, I encourage you continue to care for your neighbors by washing your hands, wearing a mask, and practicing social distancing while we get this crisis under control.

If you want to share your thoughts about an issue that’s important to you, you can send me an email any time using the form on my Senate website. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,