February 03, 2020

Congresswoman Barbara Lee invites Sherry Hirota, CEO of Asian Health Services, to the State of the Union

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced that Oakland resident Sherry Hirota, CEO of Asian Health Services, will join her as her guest at the State of the Union on February 4. For more than 40 years, Ms. Hirota has championed underserved communities and has made an impact fighting for health care as a right, not a privilege. She has served as CEO of Asian Health Services since 1982, which has created a local model that sets the highest standards for community health centers on a national stage.

“I’m excited to welcome Sherry to D.C. to share her expertise and help highlight the importance of our fight to protect and expand health care in the East Bay and across this nation. Sherry has committed her life to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their race, gender, income, or immigration status, has access to quality, affordable health care.   

“House Democrats have passed numerous bills to protect and expand access to health care, including protecting patients with pre-existing conditions and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. In the face of Trump’s increasing attacks on access to care, it’s more important than ever that we come together to ensure that health care is accessible to all. I look forward to sharing Sherry’s firsthand expertise with my colleagues as we continue this critical fight for health care.”  

Congresswoman Lee has helped pass 11 bills this Congress to lower drug costs, protect people with pre-existing conditions, and reverse health care sabotage – including the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), landmark legislation that would give Medicare the power to negotiate directly with drug companies to bring down prices and make those savings available to hardworking families across America. Congresswoman Lee voted on Day 1 of the 116th Congress to throw the full legal weight of the House of Representatives against President Trump’s monstrous lawsuit to strike down protections for 130 million people with pre-existing conditions and every other benefit. 

Unfortunately, President Trump and Senate Republicans continue blocking legislation to lower costs and protect patients. Meanwhile, three days into this year, Pharma had already increased drug prices on more than 400 medicines. And President Trump’s lawsuit to repeal the Affordable Care Act recently moved forward, once again putting the health care of millions in jeopardy.

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