Health

Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson has always firmly believed that healthcare should be a fundamental human right, accessible to all, rather than a privilege reserved for a few. Driven by this commitment, he has proudly supported legislation aimed at expanding and ensuring access to quality and affordable healthcare. By co-sponsoring Medicare for All, Congressman Jackson has advocated for a transformative approach to making healthcare more affordable and equitable while also addressing longstanding socioeconomic disparities in the system.

In a statement he said: "The 1st Congressional District is in pain. People are hurting," he said. "I heard from the senior citizens, the 'special citizens,' who have to cut their medicine in half because they don't have enough to make it from prescription to prescription. I've heard from those who have worked an entire lifetime who don't have enough money to go to the hospital……We need Medicare for All. We're going to fight for healthcare for all. We can afford it; it's a function of political will."

Congressman Jackson is deeply committed to addressing critical health challenges impacting our communities. As a member of the Congressional Black Maternal Caucus, he spotlights America’s maternal health crisis and champions solutions to improve. He has co-sponsored the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, a groundbreaking bill that invests in addressing the social determinants of maternal health, including housing, transportation, and nutrition, through funding for community-based organizations. The legislation also aims to diversify and expand the perinatal workforce in order to provide culturally responsive care, enhanced support for maternal mental health and substance use disorders, as well as improve care for incarcerated mothers. Going further, the bill also supports innovative payment models to incentivize high-quality maternity care, ensures continuity of insurance coverage for postpartum mothers, and invests in federal programs to protect veteran moms and reduce climate change-related health risks.  In addition to these advancements, it also promotes maternal vaccinations while extending WIC eligibility during the postpartum and breastfeeding periods. Congressman Jackson has continued this work for Mothers and Children as a co-sponsor of the Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act, which establishes initiatives to expand maternal and infant health services in low-income and minority communities.

Mental health is yet another cornerstone of Congressman Jackson’s advocacy. He recognizes that mental health is a vital part of overall well-being, closely tied to physical health. With approximately one in four adults and one in seven children in the U.S. living with a mental or behavioral health condition, Congressman Jackson believes Congress must prioritize treatment for all communities. He specifically understands the connection between gun violence and mental health, underscoring the need for comprehensive action.

To this end, he supported the Youth Mental Health Research Act, which establishes a national initiative to advance long-term mental health recovery, improve preventative measures for at-risk youth, and develop better treatments for children. He also backed the Mental Health Justice Act, which creates mental health responder units to assist individuals in crisis, ensuring they receive the care and support they need. Through these efforts, Congressman Jackson continues to advocate for meaningful change to improve health outcomes for all.

For more on the Congressman's work on healthcare, please read below.