Accessible and Affordable Healthcare for All

I graduated from medical school to treat patients, but I soon transitioned into healthcare management to address our broken healthcare system. Even with insurance, our healthcare system remains inaccessible and unaffordable for many. Millions of Americans either lack access to healthcare or have very limited options. This is unacceptable. Healthcare is a human right, and no American should have to think twice before seeking medical attention or face bankruptcy due to illness.

Working daily in healthcare operations, I understand both the small and big details. I have a comprehensive plan to not just patch the current system but to reform it so it works for patients, doctors, nurses, and everyone involved in this sector. My healthcare reform plan addresses access, affordability, and sustainability.

We must tackle the outrageous cost of medication and the exorbitant prices of emergency room visits. No one should be financially crippled by a two-hour ER visit. My healthcare reform plan addresses these issues head-on, ensuring a system that serves everyone fairly and effectively

Addressing Michigan’s Healthcare Crisis

We are facing a national healthcare crisis, not only due to issues of access and affordability but also because Michigan is among the top 10 states nationwide experiencing a critical shortage of nurses and doctors. This shortage threatens to cripple our hospitals and healthcare institutions. That is why I introduced the “OpenTunity Act.”

Why I Am Running for Congress

I am running for Congress because I believe our healthcare system is in dire need of comprehensive reform. My background in both medicine and healthcare management uniquely positions me to tackle these challenges head-on. It is crucial to elect someone who understands the intricacies of the healthcare system and has a clear plan to make it accessible, affordable, and sustainable for all. Together, we can create a healthcare system that truly works for everyone.

OpenTunity Act: Bridging the Shortage of Nurses and Medical Professionals Nationwide

When I am elected to Congress, one of my first initiatives will be to introduce the OpenTunity Act. This federal legislation is designed to address the critical shortage of nurses and other medical allied professionals across the United States. The OpenTunity Act will provide federal funds to local hospitals to establish training and education centers, ensuring a steady stream of graduates in nursing and medical technology fields. Additionally, it supports the expansion of existing programs to overcome the current deficit in training opportunities for nurses nationwide.

The Current State of Nursing Shortages

According to a Health Workforce Analysis published by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in November 2022, federal authorities project a shortage of 78,610 full-time Registered Nurses (RNs) by 2025 and a shortage of 63,720 full-time RNs by 2030. The ten states with the largest projected nursing shortages by 2035 include Washington (26%), Georgia (21%), California (18%), Oregon (16%), Michigan (15%), Idaho (15%), Louisiana (13%), North Carolina (13%), New Jersey (12%), and South Carolina (11%). This data is accessible through HRSA’s Workforce Projections Dashboard.

In March 2023, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) released a report titled “Recover to Rebuild: Investing in the Nursing Workforce for Health System Effectiveness,” calling for the global nursing shortage to be treated as a health emergency. The pandemic has exacerbated this crisis, leading to increased nurse burnout and diminished access to care. Protecting and investing in nurses is essential for health system recovery.

The Vicious Cycle of Nurse Burnout and Retirement

An April 2022 analysis by Dr. David Auerbach and colleagues, published in Health Affairs, found that the total supply of RNs decreased by more than 100,000 from 2020 to 2021, marking the largest drop observed in the past four decades. Notably, a significant number of nurses leaving the workforce were under the age of 35, with most employed in hospitals. Further, a January 2023 survey by the Michigan Nurses Association revealed that 42% of nurses had witnessed a patient death attributed to unsafe staffing levels. Additionally, a University of Michigan study published in April 2023 found that 39% of Michigan nurses intended to leave their jobs within the year, with 59% of newly trained nurses under 25 also planning to exit the profession.

We Must Take Care of Our Nurses

Our nurses are currently underpaid and overworked. Without nurses, you don’t have a healthcare system. Contributing factors to the nursing shortage include:

• Aging Workforce: Many experienced nurses are retiring as the baby boom generation ages.
• Burnout: Increased responsibilities and a decline in support staff have led to exhaustion and burnout among nurses.
• Low Wages: Competitive pay is crucial to retaining nurses in the field.

Addressing the Physician Shortage

Similar challenges exist for physicians, who are also retiring early due to burnout and other factors. To address this, the OpenTunity Act will focus on graduating more physicians and enabling current nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to practice to the full extent of their licenses. By doing so, we aim to alleviate some of the pressures on the healthcare system and ensure that patients receive the care they need.

The OpenTunity Act is dedicated to creating sustainable solutions to bridge the gap in our healthcare workforce, ensuring that both nurses and physicians are adequately supported and trained to meet the growing demands of our healthcare system. This will be my day one priority in Congress.