Here’s this doctor’s opinion, John: We need a woman physician in the U.S. Senate.

Believe it or not, a woman physician has never served in the Senate — but we have a chance to change that and bring some badly needed perspective to Washington.

In the examination room, I’ve seen how much life outside of the doctor’s office affected people’s health and landed them in that examination room. I saw children with asthma who couldn’t play outside because the air in their neighborhood wasn’t clean. A pregnant mom who had to choose between sacrificing nutrition by shopping at a convenience store or taking two buses to get to a supermarket. A young, pregnant woman with a pre-existing heart condition who was denied insurance before the Affordable Care Act.

I’ve brought what I’ve seen as a doctor to the table both as an advocate who helped pass the ACA and as the first woman to Chair one of Pennsylvania’s largest counties. It’s why I fought so hard to raise the minimum wage to $15 and establish gender neutral paid leave for county employees, and commit to 100% renewable energy for the county by 2050 — because I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact your wallet and the environment have on your health.

It’s past time we have a woman physician in the Senate to give voice to these issues, and I know I have the experience and determination to make real progress.

If you’re ready to finally see a woman physician in the U.S. Senate, will you add your name?

Thanks for your support. Let’s go make history!

Val