For too many Iowans, healthcare has become unaffordable. In recent years, our costs have risen at three times the rate of inflation. The average Iowan now spends over $9,200 annually on care, forcing families to skip vital check-ups and avoid treatment until a minor issue becomes a costly emergency. In total, this broken sysyem costs Iowans an estimate of $30 billion a year.

This crisis hits everywhere. We watch rural hospitals and clinics collapse while our state suffers from some of the highest cancer rates in the nation. Our system isn't just broken, it's working exactly as designed: prioritizing insurance company profits over Iowans' health.

Kris's Plan: A Common-Sense, Iowa-First Solution

Kris will fight to launch a public option. Here's how it works:

1. Cut Out the Costly Middleman: Challenge the insurance corporations that refuse care, by taking Medicaid back to the public, and expand it. This eliminates wasteful insurance bureaucracy and redirects every dollar toward patient care.

2. Meet People Where They Are: Create a new corps of community health outreach workers to help Iowans—especially in rural and underserved areas—navigate and access the care they need.

3. Invest in Prevention: By guaranteeing frequent, quality primary and preventive care, we can catch serious illnesses like cancer early. This human-focused approach saves lives and saves money by avoiding the lifelong financial burden of a late-stage crisis.

Healthcare cannot be a paywall. Kris believes your health is a common good, not a commodity. It’s time to build a system that reflects our Iowa values—one designed to improve health and quality of life for everyone, not generate profits for a few.