ISSUES

Healthcare affordability and accessibility are crucial. With hospitals and other healthcare facilities closing, high health insurance premiums and unaffordable prescription drug costs, many Missourians are left without life saving care. It’s important to fight to fund our local hospitals such as St. Joseph's hospital here in the 37th state house district, Medicaid expansion, and lowering prescription drug costs. As a nurse, I see firsthand what happens when these programs are underfunded, as your next state representative I will fight everyday to make healthcare a right for all Missourians

Disabled individuals deserve access to quality care and resources. Governor Mike Kehoe's current budget would cut $6.2 million dollars in funding for home and community- based services. These vital services allow disabled adults access to caretakers who help with activities of daily living and community integration. Missouri's disabled children deserve tailored support including assistive technology, therapies, in-home services, and nursing care. It is foundational that Missouri takes care of people with disabilities.

Public dollars should be used for public schools. Missouri is 49th in both state funding for public schools and teacher pay. Republicans put forward legislation to take away tax payer dollars from public schools. This legislation will have dire consequences to local districts such as Hickman Mills in South Kansas City.

Abortion and contraceptives should be legal. The government should not intervene in reproductive choices. Missourians voted to restore abortion rights in 2024. Republicans overturned the will of the people, and will put abortion access back on the ballot. We must defend choice of one’s own right to their bodily autonomy.

Missouri should stand up for workers and protect the rights of labor. Labor unions built this state and the middle class, and the state legislature should fight to preserve them. Working families deserve fair wages, safe workplaces, and the freedom to organize without intimidation. In 2024, Missouri citizens passed a ballot initiative to increase the minimum wage and ensure earned paid sick leave. Republicans in the legislature ignored the will of the people and overturned sick leave. As a nurse, I understand needs for sick people to be off work to protect themselves and others at their job sites. I will fight to ensure that the people who power our economy are treated with dignity and respect, and that Missouri remains a place where hard work is valued and rewarded.