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Congresswoman Susan Davis is joined by her colleagues at the U.S. Capitol promoting October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Congresswoman Susan Davis is joined by her colleagues at the U.S. Capitol promoting October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

On the Issues

Health Care

The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962)

The House passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) by a vote of 220-215. 

You can read Susan’s statement on the Affordable Health Care for America Act by clicking here.

You can read the full bill here on the House Rules Committee website or you can read a summary of the bill here on the House Majority Leader’s website.

You can share your thoughts on the bill with Susan by clicking here.

Specific provisions pushed by Susan included in H.R. 3962:

  • Extending COBRA benefits for unemployed
  • Continuing Medicaid fee reimbursements to states for birth centers
  • Requiring States’ input when developing nationwide health coverage guidelines
  • Guaranteeing gender equality in coverage
  • Doing away with “pre-existing” medical discrimination for insurance coverage
  • Ensuring fair Medicare reimbursement for San Diego physicians

Susan’s outreach on health reform in the 53rd District has included:

  • Three Telephone Town Halls, calling over 80,000 constituents in the 53rd District
  • Lemon Grove/La Presa Neighborhood Day in Spring Valley with more than 1,000 in attendance
  • Beach Communities Neighborhood Day
  • Health Care for America Now (HCAN) Community Health Care Forum

Susan has also hosted multiple roundtable discussions with groups such as:

  • St. Paul’s Senior Homes and Services
  • San Diego Hospice
  • San Diego County Medical Society
  • San Diego County Health and Human Services
  • California Nurses Association
  • American Cancer Society
  • Hospital Association of San Diego & Imperial Counties
  • Additional meetings with representatives from non-profit advocacy organizations, staff from pharmaceutical and bio-tech companies, representatives from San Diego’s community clinics, and staff from national and local health plans.

Susan’s Philosophy on Health Care

Susan is pleased President Obama has called for comprehensive health care reforms, and she has been pro-active in the 111th Congress advocating for action.  Susan believes now is the time to address skyrocketing costs and to provide coverage to the uninsured.

Growing up, Susan remembered her father, a pediatrician, leaving the house at all hours to care for his young patients.  Her father's devotion to his patients shaped her interest in health care and public service.  In fact, one of the reasons Susan wanted to come to Washington, D.C. was to make health care more affordable and accessible for San Diego families.  Far too many Americans are without health insurance.  The health care crisis is only becoming worse with the economic downturn in the Unites States.

Research Funding

Since coming to Congress, Susan has been working with a bipartisan coalition of colleagues to achieve ambitious increases in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget.  The critical research at NIH holds the keys to unlocking the mysteries of many debilitating diseases.  Strong funding allows NIH to continue its valuable work on behalf of patients and communities.  Susan and her colleagues in the House and Senate led a successful effort in Congress to include $10.4 billion for medical research in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1) for medical research.  The NIH has given a significant amount of this funding to biotechnology companies in San Diego to develop new medicines.

Mental Health

Susan has been a vocal advocate of mental health care throughout her career.  As the wife of a psychiatrist and a former psychiatric social worker, she has gotten a firsthand look at the mental health needs in the community, and she knows mental health care does not receive the attention or funding it deserves.  As a proud member of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, Susan has worked to bring greater attention to the mental health needs of service members and veterans.  Susan was also a strong supporter of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 (H.R. 1424) to ensure that mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.  The legislation was signed into law in 2008.

Women's Health

Currently, numerous health care plans require a referral for an appointment with an ob-gyn.  This can be a time consuming and inconvenient process.  In response, Susan has introduced the Women's Obstetrician and Gynecologist Medical Access Now (WOMAN) Act, which would allow direct access to an obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN).

The WOMAN Act recognizes women have different medical needs than men and the significant role OB/GYNs play in women's health.  Women who see an OB/GYN on a regular basis are more likely to receive important screening services, such as pelvic exams, as well as counseling on critical reproductive health issues.