Healthcare
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With over 30 years of experience as a registered nurse and health insurance executive, I will immediately work to reinstate the expanded ACA tax credits
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Reinstate coverage to those who will be thrown off Medicaid
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Work to streamline insurance requirements that create obstacles to patient care, such as pre-approval and red tape that actually drive up costs by requiring extra care. The state of Maine has begun limiting the need for pre-approval for some services
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Restore the patient-doctor relationship by allowing the doctor to drive the delivery of health care
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Improve response time to patients if there is a denial of services
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Eliminate constant claims denials that prevent timely cash flow to the providers. The insurers would dump someone if the premium is not paid. Well, we need to instate a stricter rule stating that if you don’t pay on time, the contracted rate is null and void, and the going reimbursement rate would be 10% of the billed charges
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Preserve and enhance Medicare; require that patients be thoroughly educated. I am an educated consumer, and sometimes I don’t understand
Voting Rights
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I am against the Save Act; this Act was made to sound like it will “save” things, which is wrong. Wordsmithing legislation to confuse people is a constant ploy of the GOP. The Act is nothing more than placing limits on our voting rights, especially women. The Voting Rights Act must be restored in full and strengthened
Affordability
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The tax code needs to be rewritten to help the working class, not the rich. All tariffs require congressional approval. Everyone in Congress knows this. Rep Max Miller remained silent. He is a trust-fund baby; I am a working girl, and I have worked for everything I have, sometimes working 2 jobs to support my family. Miller doesn’t have to weigh buying a costly prescription versus grocery shopping. I will be the person in Congress who is just like you, serving your needs
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The minimum wage also needs to be increased, and a clause allowing annual increases is a must
Human Rights
My record substantiates a deep commitment to human rights. As Mayor, I initiated and had passed the Human Rights legislation in Feb 2017, where Olmsted Falls became the 18th City in Ohio to pass such legislation. It was controversial, yes, and it was during a reelection campaign. Lots of advisors told me to wait to engage on this legislation until after the elections, since it would be threatening to some. Of course, my competition at the time played up this legislation passage as we don’t need this and this legislation will hurt businesses, but my answer was NO, if not now, then when.
Public servants/elected officials have been elected to do a job, not think about their reelection. Did it cost me my job, yes, in some ways. Was I harassed? Yes, but in the end, I would do it again. I was honored to receive the Freedom Award from Stonewall Democrats and the Civic Leader of the Year Award from the transgender community in 2017.
Gun Control
We must reinstate the law that banned assault weapons and take immediate action to stop the mass shootings.
Immigration
Masked ICE agents killing people in the street, intimidation of those who have the right to protest, agents not identifying themselves, or not possessing a body camera. Not in this Country. This is unacceptable. We have the Constitution and amendments to protect us against various violations. Wasn’t there a bipartisan bill in 2023/2024 that was intended to deal with immigration more effectively? Yes, of course there was. Our current president asked the all-willing GOP not to pass their legislation.
Rep Max Miller voted against a Republican-sponsored bill; let that sink in. A representative must represent your constituency. District 7 is not made up of billionaires, maybe his relations, but not 99% of our district.
Veterans
For some time, it strikes me as disingenuous that the men and women who have served our country are the least “assisted” group of public servants. The budget cuts to veteran services remain deplorable. Improvement to veterans’ healthcare, mental health care access, transitioning back to civilian life, and housing are at the very least the surface issues that need to be fixed.
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I will fight to expand access to timely VA care, telehealth, and mobile clinics, particularly in rural communities where healthcare infrastructure is now further strained by the One Big Billionaire Bill
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In healthcare, access should be accelerated, eliminating wait times that are sometimes caused by inefficient systems
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Access should also include telehealth, especially since the One Big Billionaire Bill devastates rural healthcare; telehealth and mobile clinics are a must
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Coordinated and expedited access to community care coordination will help ensure seamless, consistent care
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The funding for mental health and substance abuse needs to be increased.
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Mental Health requirements should include responsiveness, not consistent long wait times. As a nurse with over 30 years of clinical and administrative experience, I understand that healthcare is failing all of us, especially veterans.
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When there is a mental health crisis, especially involving suicide risks, time is of the essence. More access to treatment care for substance abuse should also be handled in an expedited manner.
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This area of medicine also requires immediate access to care and continuity-of-care follow-up
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Fund and expand access to the crisis hotline
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Housing needs and homelessness remain at an all-time high. We must provide more assistance and resources for stable housing. Sleeping in cars is not how we thank veterans
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Everyone deserves a decent job and the skills to get one. Creating jobs that utilize the skills veterans already possess is a must.
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Bring companies and the trades to the table and create a pathway to obtain a good, reliable, and well-paying job by incentivizing those companies and trades that step to the plate.
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If you served in the armed services medical unit, how can we help a veteran get a job as an EMT?
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Social Security
Must be preserved at all costs. To ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security after 2030, Congress must take action now. It is crucial to strengthen the system to remain fully funded while safeguarding benefits for both current and future retirees. Achieving solvency can be accomplished through a balanced approach: we can ask wealthier earners to contribute fairly by raising the payroll tax cap, improve program efficiency, and expand the workforce that supports Social Security. Additionally, we must protect benefits for seniors who rely on Social Security, especially for lower- and middle-income retirees who depend on it as their primary source of retirement income.
Foreign Policy and National Security
My approach to national defense is rooted in disciplined strength and constitutional accountability. Military force must always be decisive when used, but it must also be authorized by Congress and deployed only after diplomacy has been exhausted. Endless, undefined engagements erode readiness, morale, and public trust. If we send our sons and daughters into harm’s way, we must define clear objectives, establish measurable outcomes, and maintain rigorous oversight. Strength without accountability leads to drift. Accountability without strength invites instability. America requires both. I also believe our military must reflect our highest values. That means protecting service members from discrimination, ensuring zero tolerance for sexual assault or harassment.
Young Democrats
As a Mayor and community activist, I have a strong record of welcoming young people to the table; there is nothing better than bright minds and different perspectives. A leader should be most comfortable at providing the tools for success among our young adults.
Interns from The Ohio State University, Ohio Wesleyan University, and Colgate University supported many new initiatives during my tenure as Mayor. They created social media presence, established standards, and helped develop a new Master Plan, which was selected as one of the best Master Plans in Ohio in 2017 for cities under 100,000.
Youth Opportunities was engaged to empower high school students to understand the need for project management. They were a tremendous support in the quest to organize and process the mounting papers scattered throughout a very large room to comply with the records retention law. Hosting forums frequently with young adults on both sides of the aisle is how to engage that constituency, listening to their needs and engaging them to help them succeed.
Characteristics
It is essential to elect a determined and proven fighter in District 7. I am passionately committed to justice and am known for my dedication, innovation, and authenticity. I stand by my words with integrity. Throughout my career in Olmsted Falls, I have consistently prioritized the community's needs, and many have remarked, “Reach out to Donegan; she is the only one who truly responds.”
Together, let's ensure our voices are heard, and our community thrives!