Statement from Justin Strickland

I’m running for Congress to make life better for all Americans. I recently released a video message sharing some of the specific policies I’ll work on in Congress to address the affordability crisis facing regular Americans. You can watch my video by clicking the following link:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTYV3i_jjSu.

Each day this week, I’ll provide an in-depth explanation of each of my policies (click here to read our policy for lowering college tuition, which we shared yesterday). I’m a new type of leader for NJ-11: I’m not a party machine politician, I’m not a millionaire, and I don’t accept PAC money.

I’m a true grassroots candidate focused on delivering progressive solutions that will make life better for everyone. I’d be honored to earn your vote in the special election primary on February 5th!

One of the issues that has been particularly top-of-mind for many in our district and around the country has been healthcare. We need a real conversation about healthcare that leads to a permanent fix.

It’s no secret that healthcare costs in America are ridiculously high. The average American spends over $13,000 per year on healthcare, almost $4,000 more than the next highest spending country. This is nearly double the $7,000 average spent by citizens of comparable developed countries. The lack of a public healthcare option in the United States is the leading factor driving rising healthcare costs.

That’s why I will fight to create a public healthcare option, available to all Americans.

What would a public option mean for you? Under a public, government-run healthcare option, (1) premiums and co-pays would not double and triple from year to year, (2) annual consultations, check-ups, and necessary screenings would be covered for all Americans, and (3) restrictions would be imposed on prescription costs.

And most importantly, with public option healthcare, health insurance and healthcare costs would not take a significant chunk of your income nor would they throw you into inescapable debt. You shouldn’t have to choose between paying rent and being healthy.

While the federal healthcare mandate under the Affordable Care Act was eliminated in 2019, many states, including New Jersey, have imposed healthcare mandates requiring their citizens to have some form of health insurance. Why do we have laws that punish you for living without health insurance, but no government system that provides coverage for all Americans? By mandating coverage, our laws have created a monster in the form of rising rates and deteriorating quality.

Copays continue to increase, and costs for procedures have exploded to eye watering numbers. The average person is left caught in the middle of the fight between health insurance and healthcare providers, the worst of which many have experienced: health insurance companies having more say over your care than doctors. When health insurance declines to cover what a doctor considers medically necessary, the provider jeopardizes the health of those it is supposed to protect.

With a federally run health insurance option the government sets the bar through controlled pricing. This would compel private insurance companies to lower rates to compete. All Americans would benefit.

We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Our idea has been tested in the form of the federal healthcare coverage provided for our veterans, which already supports 9,000,000 people through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A system like this would be the first step in our fight to ensure affordable healthcare coverage for all Americans. Under a public healthcare option, you’d still have the option of having a private insurance provider, but those who need it — anybody in this country — would always have the support to fall back on.

About Justin Strickland:

Justin Strickland is an Army Combat Veteran who served two tours in Iraq – one year as a platoon leader in Baghdad, and another year living with and advising the Iraqi Army in Mosul. He earned a Bronze Star and multiple Army Commendation medals for his service. After the military he served as a federal official in the Pentagon working on economic development in Afghanistan – traveling to the country 16 times. He currently serves as an elected member of the Chatham Borough Council in Morris County. Justin's congressional campaign is guided by his mission to make life better for regular people. He is committed to delivering progressive solutions that lower costs and ensure all Americans have the economic liberty and justice to achieve the American Dream.

Visit Justin’s website: https://www.justinstrickland.com/.