Kermit Jones was born in Michigan. Jones served in the U.S. Navy from 2005 to 2009. He earned degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1997, Duke University School of Law in 2005, and Duke University School of Medicine in 2005.
When it comes to healthcare, even if they have insurance, Americans pay too much and receive too little. After treating over 20,000 patients throughout my career, I’ve seen first-hand where our healthcare system fails patients. In Congress, I’ll work to make sure our healthcare system puts the needs of patients first by addressing the drivers of cost, improving the quality of care, and increasing access to doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers.
Funding for the public health component of our healthcare system has remained stagnant for decades, and the price of medicines and prescription drugs have skyrocketed. As a result, Americans pay more for medical treatment than any other developed country in the world. In Congress, I’ll fight to implement common sense proposals to lower our healthcare costs by empowering Medicare and Medicaid to negotiate prescription drug prices, and creating a public option health insurance plan that caps out-of-pocket expenses.
I’ll work to tackle the lack of access to doctors and medical treatment in rural areas because every American should have access to the best healthcare in the world, regardless of their zip code. In Congress, I’ll also work to secure federal funding to increase the number of doctors and nurses in rural areas and improve the reliability and access of telemedicine by ensuring that 100% of Americans have access to broadband internet.
Healthcare is a unique service that should always put a patient’s needs first. Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed too many patients be denied coverage by their insurance companies for life-saving screenings and medical treatments, all while those same insurance companies post record profits and pay their executives millions of dollars in bonuses. I’ll take on companies that gouge patients and families when they are in most need. I’ll sponsor legislation that will provide better oversight to ensure patients’ premiums are directed to better their health, not to increase the already bloated bonuses for healthcare executives. No one should be allowed to excessively profit off the illness or treatment of a patient.
In Congress, I won’t stop until every American has quality, affordable healthcare.