HEALTHCARE
Healthcare reform means cutting burdensome regulations, improving access to medical facilities, supporting rural hospitals, and tackling health disparities to create a sustainable and equitable healthcare system for all Alabamians.
CURRENT HEALTHCARE ISSUES
Stagnant Regulations
Alabama’s regulatory environment, particularly concerning Certificate of Need (CON) laws, remains stagnant. This regulatory burden stifles competition and innovation in healthcare, to the detriment of Alabamians.
Poor access to Healthcare
Alabama’s 7th District lacks sufficient hospitals and medical facilities. Residents often have to travel over an hour to reach medical facilities, making it extremely difficult to obtain timely medical care.
Hospital bed shortage
In the Black Belt region, 17 out of 24 counties have fewer than the state-wide average of 3.9 hospital beds per 1,000 people. This shortage limits the availability of medical services and exacerbates health disparities.
Rural Hospital Closures
Alabama has seen numerous hospitals experiencing financial losses on services, with several rural hospitals closing statewide. These closures severely restrict healthcare access for rural residents and further complicate transportation to hospitals elsewhere.
Premature Death Rates
Alabama continues to have one of the highest rates of premature deaths (defined as deaths before the age of 70) in the nation.
Racial Disparity
Alabama exhibits significant health disparities between racial and ethnic groups, with the infant mortality rate among Black Alabamians being three times higher than that of White Alabamians. District 7, a Black majority area, is particularly vulnerable to these disparities.
MY SOLUTION
Securing Financial Support for Hospitals
Many hospitals in Alabama are operating at negative margins. I will address the financial shortage by incentivizing increased reimbursements from both private payers and from Medicare, along with supporting strategies to reduce the number of uninsured patients.
Improving Rural Health Access
Enhancing rural healthcare is essential. To improve access to hospitals and labor and delivery units in rural areas, I will advocate for policies that will streamline burdensome regulations and incentivize healthcare providers to expand their services to rural areas.Investing in Healthcare Infrastructure
Building on existing infrastructure, such as crisis mental health centers, is crucial. Ensuring that people have to access these services through a combination of support and competitive options will create a sustainable healthcare model.
Strengthening Home Care Services
Companies like Help at Home have cited reimbursement challenges and regulatory hurdles as reasons for pulling services from Alabama. To improve the home care environment, we need to reduce these regulatory barriers and create a more supportive business environment. This will help in recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees in the healthcare sector.