FLORENCE-On Monday, July 1 Senator Doug Jones held a town hall meeting pertaining to Health Care. The meeting was held on the UNA campus in the Communications building.
Senator Jones stated in his meeting on Monday night, which is one in several town hall meetings the Senator is expected to hold, that he believes Alabama needs to expand Medicaid in the Southeast. Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas do not currently hold the Medicaid expansion. Sen. Jones’ SAME Act would use the federal government to cover the costs of the expansion for the first three years. He also mentioned that he started an act that would produce a study showing the pros and cons of expanding our healthcare.
The Senator also talked about the Lower Healthcare Costs Act of 2019. This act will reduce the cost of healthcare for most Alabama citizens. Jones said part of the bill will eliminate “surprise billing” as well as increase transparency and increase competition in the prescription drug market.
There was a question and answer session after the town hall and people were able to meet with and talk to Senator Jones.
Senator Jones is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and is seeking re-election in 2020.