Access to abortion

The decision on when and how to start a family is sacrosanct. It does not belong in the hands of any legislator or judge.

The situation post-Roe v. Wade is one of dramatic health and economic impacts. A 2024 study revealed the Dobbs decision led a 7 percent increase in infant mortality. Abortion bans, deeply unpopular around the country, were linked to a dramatic jump in sepsis—50 percent in Texas, for example. These burdens are, of course, borne more heavily on marginalized communities, Medicaid beneficiaries, individuals without college degrees, young people, and communities in the South.

A number of women died because they were denied abortion care when it could have saved their life.

Additional studies found contraception access declined.

A 2024 study found that states with the most restrictive policies experienced a combined economic loss of $64 billion as it reduced women’s labor force participation, ages 15 to 44, by 556,000.

Matt will fight to establish a national right to abortion access and protect those who seek and perform an abortion. Anti-abortion forces spent decades concocting a myriad of ways to weaken access to abortion prior to and after Dobbs. There are a number of actions Congress must undertake to restore abortion access.

• Establish a statutory right to abortion with minimum standards for access
• Repeal the Comstock Act to prevent a backdoor national abortion ban
• Codify FDA approval of mifepristone
• Shield FDA decisions from judicial meddling
• Outlaw fetal personhood
• Prohibit criminalization of travel to obtain an abortion
• Protect those who assist an individual to obtain an abortion
• Protect doctors and hospitals who perform abortions
• Prohibit crisis pregnancy centers from lying to women
• Prohibit government registries or databases which track personally identifying information of those who had an abortion
• Prohibit civil actions and deputized private citizens as defined in Texas’ SB 8

Medicare for All

The key to reducing the cost of health care is prevention and that requires access. With the expiration of the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, we are moving in the wrong direction. This new year, many Americans see their premiums increase as high as three-, four-, or five-fold. The high cost will force many to go without insurance altogether. As many as 15 million Americans are expected to lose their Medicaid by 2034. Manageable health concerns may exacerbate without intervention leading to complications or even death. It’s poor policy that leads to sicker communities and higher costs for all.

Employer-based health insurance places a heavy financial burden on businesses. It disadvantages small businesses of whom only 51 percent cover partial insurance premiums in 2025. (Down from 56 percent two years ago.)

It restricts the free movement of labor. Workers may fear losing their health insurance and stay in a job with less professional growth and limited wage increases. At a time of high costs for groceries, child care, and more, it infringes on Americans’ freedom to live our lives.

The fact of the matter is that health insurance is not health care. The health insurance industry’s model is simple: profit off exorbitant premiums and deny care.

Matt will fight for Medicare for All. It will save Americans money, maintain private medical practices and bolster rural hospitals, and lead to healthier lives. Americans, with greater economic freedom, will be able to pursue professional advancement and higher wages without fear of losing their health care.