TOPEKA — Kansas pediatrician Trevena Moore says federal policies that give patients access to quality, affordable health care are a critical issue in the 3rd District Congressional race.
Moore, an internist in Kansas City, Kan., said voters’ decision on Nov. 5 to maintain the Medicare program, which lowers the cost of prescription drugs, will lead to Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice David and Republican challenger and cancer doctor. He said that Prasanth Reddy’s opinion should be considered. . Voters need to consider the threat that Congress would repeal the Affordable Care Act and hurt low-income Kansans’ access to health insurance, he said.
“As a pediatrician, I know firsthand how important access to care is for patients,” Dr. Moore said. “Sharice David supports the Affordable Care Act. Sharice David supports Medicaid expansion.”
Moore was among 22 medical professionals who signed a letter arguing that “Mr. Ready’s positions on important health care issues will set Kansas back and put the lives and well-being of our patients at risk.” I was alone.
The letter raised the possibility that Republican lawmakers could repeal the ACA, which President Barack Obama signed into law. The letter said House Republicans could eliminate Medicaid’s $35 per month cap on insulin prices and the government’s ability to negotiate lower prices on other drugs.
Additionally, the letter praised Davids’ support for reproductive freedom and questioned Reddy’s alliances with groups seeking to restrict abortion rights.
The maneuver by Davids’ re-election supporters was aimed at blunting print and television ads by Ready highlighting his work as an oncologist. Last week, Reddy released a campaign spot opposing distortions of Davids’ position on abortion rights.
In 2022, David opposed an amendment to the Kansas Constitution that would overturn the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision that declared women have a fundamental right to terminate pregnancies. The amendment failed in a statewide vote, leaving the Kansas Legislature unable to tighten restrictions on abortion.
Reddy said he didn’t vote on the constitutional issue because he wasn’t sure what would happen with the abortion amendment, but he would respect the decision of Kansas voters.
Regarding price caps on prescription drugs, Reddy said the federal government used coercive tactics to force drug companies to lower prices rather than reasonably negotiate lower prices. He said price caps could hurt U.S. medical research and development. He said Congress should pursue opportunities to increase generic drug manufacturing to reduce consumer costs.
“I understand first-hand the critical balance that needs to be struck between making life-saving medicines affordable and ensuring that we continue to innovate in the medical field,” Reddy said. spoke.
At a Saturday news conference with doctors who signed the letter, Davids said the U.S. House of Representatives needs members who will prioritize health care access and affordability.
