Health Insurance

I am deeply passionate about fixing a healthcare system that too often stands in the way of what truly helps people thrive.

I obtained my health insurance license on October 6, 2025. Even in these early months, I spotted major issues as I'm a quick study with a heart for fairness. One example hits close to home: I personally take Armour Thyroid—a natural desiccated thyroid medication that provides both T3 and T4 hormones in a more complete, natural way—because it works better for my body than the synthetic alternative, Synthroid. Yet insurance companies cover the synthetic version without hesitation, while patients like me are often stuck paying full price out-of-pocket for the natural option. Why the double standard?

I've also helped a few retirees navigate the Medicare program along the way, and it's clear the system has deep flaws—issues we'll tackle head-on in future discussions because Medicare itself needs drastic revamping. But right now, the barriers extend far beyond that: Licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs) in states like Oregon are experts in preventive, root-cause medicine—emphasizing nutrition, lifestyle, and holistic care to keep people healthy rather than just treating sickness. Yet Medicare (including Original Medicare Parts A and B) doesn't recognize NDs as eligible providers, so their services frequently go uncovered. Many private plans, Medicare Advantage options, and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies exclude them as primary care providers (PCPs) or add extra costs and restrictions, limiting access to care that could prevent chronic problems before they escalate.

This isn't about mandating coverage for everything or pushing full socialized medicine. It's about simple fairness and real patient choice. If a treatment is safe, prescribed by a licensed provider, and supported by diverse evidence—including long-term use, real-world patient outcomes, and expert consensus—insurers shouldn't discriminate just because it's "natural" instead of pharmaceutical. And qualified NDs should be able to serve as PCPs where state-licensed, without outdated rules blocking them.

These are exactly the kinds of systemic biases that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative is working to dismantle. MAHA is about a true shift: prioritizing prevention, integrative medicine, nutrition, and reducing over-dependence on Big Pharma. It's focused on what genuinely makes people healthier, not just what pads profits.

When elected to Congress, I'll introduce the Natural Treatment and Naturopathic Parity Act in the 120th Congress (starting 2027) to deliver these changes nationwide:

• Require all health insurance plans—including private group and individual plans, marketplace plans, Medicare Advantage (Part C), Original Medicare (via Parts A and B for related services), Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies—to cover evidence-based natural and holistic treatments—like natural desiccated thyroid—on equal terms with synthetics (no higher copays, no unnecessary prior authorizations or hurdles).
• Recognize licensed naturopathic doctors as eligible providers under Medicare Part B (for outpatient services such as consultations, preventive care, and therapies within their state-licensed scope), enabling them to act as primary care providers (PCPs) in state-licensed settings with fair coverage, reimbursement, and billing parity comparable to other primary care physicians. Medicare Supplement policies will provide corresponding cost-sharing parity for any covered Part B services furnished by NDs.
• Broaden "evidence" definitions to include real-world data, historical safety records, patient experiences, and expert consensus—countering the long-standing pharma dominance in research.

No new taxpayer spending—just common-sense parity to stop discrimination, promote prevention, and empower Americans to choose what works best for them.

I've seen these frustrations up close through my own journey, quick observations since getting licensed, and conversations with folks navigating the system. Retirees on fixed incomes, families in rural Oregon, and everyday Americans deserve a healthcare approach that respects health freedom and focuses on prevention over endless prescriptions.

If this speaks to you, let's turn frustration into action. Explore the full proposed bill language, read more about my platform across the site, share your own experiences, or support the campaign through donations or volunteering.

Together, we can advance MAHA principles and bring genuine health freedom to Washington—one fair choice at a time.