Sen. Cory Booker is leading his campaign with a focus on justice and opportunity, and his support for health care reform is relatively strong. He has campaigned in support for Medicare for All and related legislation, while vowing to end attacks on the Affordable Care Act. He has said in speeches he would try to retain a ‘private option’ under a comprehensive government-provided system.

Out of $19,330,607 that Booker raised so far in the 2020 elections:

  • $513,135 has been linked to the Health sector
  • $267,916 has been linked to health professionals
  • $136,212 has been linked to hospital/nursing home
[Source: OpenSecrets]

 

His Record

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced a bill to create Medicare for All in the 116th Congress. Booker signed on as a co-sponsor. 

Among the key drug price transparency legislation introduced in Senate this term, Booker signed as a cosponsor to the Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act of 2019. He did not sign onto the C-THRU, SPIKE, nor RxCAP bills.  

Booker had a reputation for taking Big Pharma money in past Senate elections, though he has made a concerted effort to return industry money in the 2020 campaign.

From his website

“As president, Cory will fight for access to quality, affordable and universal health care, end attacks on the Affordable Care Act, and act to bring down prescription drug costs:

  • “Fight for Medicare for All.
  • “Implement universal paid family and medical leave.
  • “Combat the opioid addiction crisis by treating addiction like a disease, providing resources for communities to heal and repair, and holding pharmaceutical companies accountable.
  • “Lower prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices and import drugs from Canada and other countries.
  • “Take patents away from drug companies that sell the same medication for less in other countries.
  • “Invest in ending the maternal mortality epidemic and reducing racial disparities in maternal mortality rates.
  • “Impose a tax penalty on drug companies that unfairly raise the cost of their drugs and take patents away from drug companies that sell the same medication for less in other countries.
  • “Ensure access to affordable long-term services and support to every American that needs it and pay caregivers for the critical work they do.”