Prioritizing Senior Advocacy & Senior Resources

According to the 2020 census, 12% of Virginia’s population are 62 or older, which will almost double before 2030. 27% of those seniors live alone. 6% of Virginia’s senior households have an annual income of less than $10,000. 22% of Virginia’s senior households have an annual income less than $20,000. As a Nurse Practitioner who has specialized in Geriatrics, I know how important it is to prioritize safe and affordable housing options for our senior friends, family, and fellow citizens.  

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In the General Assembly I will put forth policies and incentives for expanding and promotion of safe and affordable housing options, as well as increasing state and community resources to help our seniors age in place and peace. I will introduce legislation that limits the ability of utility companies from disconnecting our most medically vulnerable customers from services during extreme weather events. I have firsthand experience in the homes of patients that have dealt with the aftermath of hurricanes and snowstorms, trying to figure out how oxygen dependent patients are going to be able to survive without power to supply their oxygen, or bed-bound patients that may not be able to function without the use of their hospital bed. This is a serious problem, and I will work to solve it.

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I will also work to ensure that every person in our Commonwealth has access to affordable prescription drugs. As a medical provider, I have extensive experience navigating the insurance system with patients and figuring out ways to get them the medications that they so badly need. I will introduce and support legislation that requires insurance companies to cover many lifesaving drugs that are often excluded or have limited coverage by plans, including epinephrine auto-injectors for severe allergies, insulin and other medications used in the treatment of diabetes and metabolic syndrome, medications for cardiovascular diseases, and more.