Jamee Decio

Elkhart native | Trailblazer | Child advocate | Justice seeker | Proud union member

Policy Platforms

Healthcare

Universal healthcare, working alongside private payers, will enable small businesses to compete for top talent, save taxpayers billions, and improve the quality of life for every Hoosier.

Americans pay more for healthcare than anywhere else in the world, yet our system prioritizes profits over people and leaves working families behind, struggling to afford basic care while insurance companies and pharmaceutical corporations extract wealth and diminish access to care in our local communities.

The Problem

Indiana families are caught in an impossible bind

Indiana lags in access to primary and preventive care, and the current profit-favoring system creates massive inefficiency, resulting in the U.S. spending more than any other developed nation while ranking lower in health outcomes.
The lack of affordable and reliable healthcare traps Hoosiers in a difficult bind: without good health, they cannot work, and without work, they cannot access reliable healthcare coverage.
A third of Hoosiers live at or near the poverty line. Even for families above that line, many lack adequate coverage, meaning they cannot afford necessary preventative care. Far too many Hoosiers are just one medical emergency away from financial ruin or bankruptcy.

Small businesses are getting crushed

Small employers must pay tens of thousands of dollars per year, per employee, just to provide basic health benefits.
Large corporations can absorb these costs and offer better coverage. As a result, they can monopolize talented workers, leaving small businesses and entrepreneurs at a disadvantage.
When small and local businesses can’t compete for top talent, entrepreneurship and innovation are stifled, local economies suffer, and Indiana’s economic potential is throttled.

Proposed, Actionable Solutions

Pass federal legislation for universal healthcare

Establish a system that guarantees access for every American, ensuring choice, but eliminating the fear of going bankrupt from medical bills.
Take inspiration from models like Medicare and Germany’s healthcare system, where private healthcare coexists alongside universal access. This would mean everyone would have a basic level of guaranteed healthcare access, while still having the option to choose private plans for additional services.

Leverage state-level action in Indiana

Work with colleagues at the state level to advocate for solutions that put Indiana at the forefront of healthcare access, even beyond federal improvements.
Position Indiana as a leader in innovative healthcare delivery, creating both better access and economic opportunity for the next generation of Hoosiers.
Neighboring states are investing in these innovations and improvements. We must stay ahead if we want Indiana to stay “open for business.”

Why This Matters for Hoosiers

For Working Families

Healthcare is expensive and inaccessible. Today, Hoosiers are paying for an inefficient system through premiums, deductibles, and other fees. You deserve actual care in return, not just insurance company profits.

No Hoosier should have to choose between seeing a doctor and paying rent.

For Business Owners

Imagine what you could do with thousands of extra dollars per employee, per year. Hire another worker. Raise wages. Invest in new equipment or training. Outcompete larger corporations for the talent you need to grow.

Healthcare access is more than just a moral question—it’s good economics. How many more businesses would Hoosiers be able to start if they didn’t have to fear losing healthcare coverage for themselves or their children?

For Our Economy

Healthcare access should not be a barrier to entrepreneurship. It should not be a burden on small businesses or a source of financial ruin for working families.

It’s just a fact: a healthier Indiana is a more prosperous Indiana, one where more people are working, more businesses are thriving, and more families are building security and opportunity for the future.