James Byrd

“To stop the bleeding in our healthcare system, we must take on the corporate greed that inflates costs while safeguarding the federal safety-net programs our rural communities depend on. My plan holds healthcare corporations accountable across two distinct fronts: private market oversight and public program protections.

Capping Drug Prices and Ending Markups: I advocate for aggressive price-capping measures on life-saving prescription drugs and stricter oversight of pharmaceutical manufacturers and middlemen who artificially inflate prices for profit.

Breaking Up Market Monopolies: Big health insurance conglomerates hold small-population states like Wyoming hostage. I support creating multi-state or nationwide health insurance pooling options to force private insurers to compete, lowering premiums for working families.

Ending Predatory Billing: I back legislative guardrails to stop aggressive corporate billing practices, hidden facility fees, and price gouging that force families to choose between medical care and basic necessities.

Safeguarding Public Programs: Corporate accountability means preventing large corporate interests from slashing or privatizing public safety nets. I am committed to protecting full federal funding for Medicare, Medicaid, and the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Direct Negotiation Power: I support expanding Medicare’s ability to directly negotiate drug prices across a broader spectrum of medications, ensuring that seniors are not forced to pay inflated rates for the treatments they need.

Protecting Rural Providers: Rural hospitals rely heavily on fair Medicare reimbursement rates to stay open. I will work to protect these reimbursements, preventing large healthcare systems from shutting down critical access facilities in underserved areas.

Expanding Telehealth Access: To stop rural seniors from bearing the high cost of long-distance travel for basic medical care, I support making permanent Medicare reimbursements for virtual care and telehealth services.

By tackling corporate profiteering in the private sector while defending and expanding public coverage like Medicare, we can build a healthcare system that prioritizes patient health over corporate profits.”

Statement submitted by campaign or congressional office