Watching Kathy Manning and Ted Budd’s debate reinforced for me why we must support Kathy Manning’s run for Congress. Kathy was clearly the best prepared, most passionate, and focused on the real-world problems North Carolinians face every day.

She is deeply committed to affordable healthcare for all, and is especially mindful of protecting the healthcare rights of those with pre-existing conditions.

While Mr. Budd claims to protect pre-existing conditions, he has done nothing to fight to keep healthcare affordable for middle class citizens. As Kathy said, “If you have it on the menu but you can’t afford it, it doesn’t matter that it’s on the menu. If you make insurance for people with preexisting conditions so expensive it’s out of reach, you are not protecting people with preexisting conditions.”

I have my own pre-existing condition. Many of my patients did too. I know Kathy can relate to the exorbitant health care costs I and so many others are faced with because of her own battle with pharmaceutical companies after her daughter became ill.

Kathy has shown in her words and actions that she will fight for all North Carolinians, and I am proud to support her.

— Mark Hyman

Greensboro