Health

Fixing our broken health care system has been my top priority for most of my life. My goal is to ensure that every person has access to affordable, quality and accessible health care. It is a national shame that our nation spends more than any other country in the world but fails to guarantee access to health care. 50 million Americans are completely uninsured, millions more are poorly insured. High medical costs are a factor in a majority of personal bankruptcies, and businesses, small and large, are struggling to pay for health care for their workers.

Lack of access to health care has resulted in the United States trailing the world in health outcomes. In 2017, the United States ranked 170th in the infant mortality rate, 138th in the maternal mortality rate, and 43rd in life expectancy. International comparisons by organizations such as the World Health Organization, OECD, and the Commonwealth Fund consistently show the U.S. rates poorly in meeting quality health measures despite spending far more than any other than country.

As a previous member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health, I am committed to building a health care system that works for everyone. We have made major strides in recent years, and I am especially proud of the passage of the historic Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare. It continues to benefit millions of Americans, and it lays a strong foundation to make even more improvements.

We have more to do to achieve breakthroughs in medical research and to eliminate disparities in access to care. We must expand the health care workforce. We must ensure that everyone has affordable access to the health care they need, including prescription drugs, mental health services and the full range of reproductive health services.

I believe we can create the best health care system in the world and that Obamacare was an excellent start.

More on Health

Schakowsky, Joyce Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing National CRNA Week
January 24, 2023
Press Release

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Dave Joyce (R-OH) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing National Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) Week. Since 2000, the last week of January has been known as "National CRNA Week," a time to honor the heroic work and expertise of CRNAs and Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs). The nearly 60,000 practicing nursing anesthetists in the U.S. devote countless hours each year to saving lives and advancing patient care.

Issues: Health Health Care Workforce
Jan's Plans & Pans - January 23, 2023
January 23, 2023
Video

Last Thursday, the United States of America reached its debt limit. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that extraordinary measures need to be taken to avoid the United States defaulting on its debts. We must raise the debt ceiling. This is not new spending; it is paying the bill for programs we have already approved. Republicans would rather cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, plus help the rich cheat on their taxes, than follow through with our obligations. It is time my colleagues put the livelihood of Americans first.

Issues: Social Security Seniors and Medicaid Women's Issues Women's Health Democracy and Voting Rights Poverty Civil and Human Rights Affordable Housing Economy, Jobs & Taxes Health Medicare
Schakowsky Statement Commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 16, 2023
Press Release

EVANSTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip, released the following statement commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

“Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy will forever stand as a reminder of our capacity to make real, lasting change for the betterment of all. Today, Dr. King’s message is more important than ever: To create a just society where all individuals can succeed, we must come together as a nation to right our wrongs.

Issues: Democracy and Voting Rights Housing Affordable Housing Economy, Jobs & Taxes Health
Jan's Plans & Pans - January 15, 2023
January 15, 2023
Video
This week, House Republicans passed legislation that would help the rich cheat on their taxes, they established a subcommittee to investigate conspiracy theories, and they made it clear they would like to see a nationwide ban on abortions. Sadly, Republicans’ priorities are the priorities of a small, wealthy minority of Americans. Meanwhile, Democrats will continue fighting for the issues that matter most to hardworking families, like protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare, safeguarding a woman’s reproductive freedom, and preserving our environment for future generations.
Issues: Women's Issues Women's Health Consumer Protection Auto Safety Children's Product Safety Health
Jan's Plans & Pans - December 24, 2022
Schakowsky Delivers for Illinoisans, Consumers, and Working Families in Government Funding Package
December 23, 2022
Press Release
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement after voting in favor of the twelve-bill government funding package, which invests millions of dollars in projects throughout Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, implements measures to keep Americans safe and healthy, and provides resources for social programs that support our families, workers, and communities:
Issues: Seniors Social Security Labor Women's Issues Women's Health Democracy and Voting Rights Poverty Hunger in America Civil and Human Rights Consumer Protection Cosmetic Safety Energy & Environment Clean Air/Clean Water Climate Change Housing Affordable Housing Economy, Jobs & Taxes Education Increased Educational Funding Health Foreign Policy/National Security
Schakowsky Secures Nearly $27 Million in Funds for Illinois' 9th Congressional District
December 23, 2022
Press Release
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced that she has secured $26,239,331 in FY2023 funding from the House Appropriations Committee for 15 projects across the 9th Congressional District. These funds are in addition to the millions in funding the Congresswoman secured earlier this year for community projects.
Issues: Seniors Women's Issues Women's Health Poverty Hunger in America Immigration Energy & Environment Clean Air/Clean Water Housing Affordable Housing Economy, Jobs & Taxes Education Increased Educational Funding Public Libraries/Museums Health
Schakowsky, LaHood, Durbin, Cassidy Applaud Passage of Legislation Supporting Rehabilitation Hospitals 
December 22, 2022
Press Release
WASHIGNTON - U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Darin LaHood (IL-18), along with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) applauded House passage of their bipartisan legislation to support rehabilitation facilities that lead the nation in medical research and complex treatment. The Dr. Joanne Smith Memorial Rehabilitation Innovation Centers Act recognizes the unique role that a leading class of rehabilitation hospitals play in our health care system, by driving innovative research for the entire field, providing a high volume of medical training to students, and treating the highest need patients across the country.
Issues: Health Diseases and Medical Research
Schakowsky, Tonko Seek Answers from CPSC and EPA on Dangers of Gas Stoves
December 20, 2022
Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, wrote to the Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the health and safety risks gas stoves pose to consumers. The Subcommittee leaders requested a briefing from the agencies on their efforts to curb harmful emissions from gas stoves.
Issues: Consumer Protection Energy & Environment Health
Schakowsky, Quigley, Fitzpatrick, Crow Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Access to Multidisciplinary ALS Care
December 20, 2022
Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Jason Crow (CO-06) introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure that ALS multidisciplinary clinics, which bring together teams of specially trained health care professionals who work to address the many needs of people living with ALS, can continue to provide quality, collaborative, life-extending treatment.
Issues: Seniors Health Medicare Diseases and Medical Research