As a public health leader, Earnest knows the data and he has seen the faces behind it. One in four adults in Harris County describes their health as fair or poor. Too many residents skip appointments or medication because they cannot afford care.
Too many families in District 9 struggle to access quality healthcare. Industrial pollution, unsafe air, and repeated flooding contribute to higher rates of asthma, chronic illness, and stress related conditions. Many communities lack nearby clinics, face long wait times, or cannot afford the care they need. Mental health services are scarce, and stigma keeps many people suffering in silence. Whether someone has Medicare, Medicaid, ACA coverage, or no insurance at all, navigating the system is difficult and often too expensive.
Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. Every family deserves access to doctors, medication, mental health support, and preventive care without fear of cost or distance.
Zip code should not determine life expectancy. Healthcare in District 9 must be accessible, affordable, and rooted in dignity.
As your congressman, Earnest Clayton will:
• Protect and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid, ensuring seniors, people with disabilities, and low income families receive the care they rely on.
• Ensure ACA plans remain affordable by expanding premium subsidies, reducing out of pocket costs, and guaranteeing that Marketplace plans stay within reach for working families.
• Increase federal funding for community clinics and mobile health units to bring primary care, screenings, and specialty services closer to underserved neighborhoods.
• Strengthen 988 crisis support with faster response times, culturally competent care, and strong coordination with local mental health providers.
• Expand access to mental health treatment, including therapy, crisis stabilization, substance use services, and trauma informed care.
• Promote telehealth access for medical, behavioral, and preventive services to reduce transportation barriers.
• Support maternal health, HIV prevention, chronic disease management, and senior care, ensuring vulnerable populations receive comprehensive support.
• Fight for clean air and environmental protections, reducing the health impacts created by industrial operations.
• Grow the healthcare workforce by supporting training programs for nurses, mental health providers, EMS workers, and community health workers in District 9.
