About the Candidate
Name: Lauren Underwood
DOB: Oct. 4, 1986
Occupation: Registered nurse and health policy expert
Political Experience: Member of Congress, IL-14
Website: underwoodforcongress.com
Twitter: @LaurenUnderwood
Candidate Statement
My name is Lauren Underwood and it is my honor to represent this community in the United States House of Representatives.
When I was elected in 2018, I pledged to my constituents that I would be the most accessible, transparent and accountable Congresswoman this community has ever had.
I held 15 town halls in 2019, and another dozen this year. I see my role as carrying the voices and values of northern Illinois to Congress. My team and I set up nine constituent advisory councils to ensure that I'm doing just that.
In partnership with my constituents, I've passed more than a dozen pieces of legislation through the House and I'm happy to share that President Trump has signed three pieces of my bipartisan legislation into law, including the Lower Insulin Costs Now Act, which makes lower-cost, generic insulin available more quickly for those families who rely on it.
As a registered nurse and public health expert, I've made ensuring high-quality, affordable health care coverage for our families my focus in Congress.
Now, we have been through a terribly difficult time in recent months. My immediate priority is keeping our community safe during the coronavirus pandemic and ensuring a robust economic recovery. I know there is so much more work to do on that front.
As I look forward to the 117th Congress, I hope to continue identifying opportunities to make progress for Northern Illinois. I’d be honored to have your support, and I encourage you to cast your vote safely from home.
Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
When I was elected in 2018, I pledged to my constituents that I would be the most accessible, transparent and accountable Congresswoman this community has ever had. And I'm so proud of the work we've accomplished together so far.
I held 15 town halls in 2019, and another dozen this year. I see my role as carrying the voices and values of northern Illinois to Congress. My team and I set up nine constituent advisory councils, on issues from education to small business to veterans services, to ensure that I'm doing just that.
In partnership with my constituents, I've passed more than a dozen pieces of legislation through the House and I'm happy to share that President Trump has signed three pieces of my legislation into law, including the Lower Insulin Costs Now Act, which will make lower-cost, generic insulin available more quickly for families.
As a registered nurse and public health expert, ensuring access to high-quality, affordable health care remains my focus -- particularly as we face COVID-19 -- and we've made great progress to reduce prescription drug prices and reduce premium prices. I look forward to identifying more opportunities for bipartisan progress during my second term in Congress.
What is your vision for this office?
The message that I want to convey to every member of our community is “I see you, I hear you, and I am here to serve you.” I aim to be a champion for all of our community members in Illinois' 14th District, and I look forward to working together to continue making progress for northern Illinois.
What do you think is the most pressing issue facing your constituents and how do you plan on addressing it?
My immediate priority is keeping our community safe during the coronavirus pandemic and ensuring a robust economic recovery. I'm proud that we were able to secure free COVID-19 testing for our community, relief for our families, small businesses and local governments, and I know there is so much more work to do on that front, as we continue to battle this pandemic.
COVID-19 has only underscored the importance of high-quality, affordable health care for our families. In Congress, I've focused on protecting coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, lowering the cost of prescription drugs and increasing access to quality, affordable health care -- including mental health care and reproductive health care.
We have families who spend up to 25% of their income on monthly health care premium costs -- that's unacceptable. I wrote a piece of legislation, the Health Care Affordability Act, that would ensure no one spends more than 8.5% of their income on premium costs for health care plans purchased through the exchange. I'm proud to share that legislation passed the House on a bipartisan vote at the end of June. I look forward to continuing this work on behalf of our community.
