Darrell Issa’s record on healthcare is a masterclass in serving corporate interests while throwing working Americans under the bus. His relentless opposition to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is proof enough—he voted dozens of times to repeal it, with no serious alternative to replace it. He has consistently sided with the big insurance companies, backing policies that make it harder—not easier—for everyday people to afford basic medical care. And let’s not forget: he celebrated the House’s passage of a disastrous ACA repeal bill in 2017 before sprinting away from his own constituents when they demanded answers. That vote alone would have stripped millions of coverage and allowed insurers to jack up prices for people with pre-existing conditions.

But let’s be fair. Issa has, on occasion, supported some health-related initiatives—though always with an agenda. He’s backed streamlining VA services and expanding telehealth for veterans, which, while beneficial, is the absolute bare minimum for someone who claims to support those who served. He’s also been a cheerleader for deregulating parts of the healthcare industry in the name of “innovation,” but let’s be clear—deregulation overwhelmingly benefits pharmaceutical and insurance giants, not patients drowning in medical debt. His push for expanding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) is another example: it sounds nice in theory, but in practice, it mainly helps wealthier individuals who can actually afford to sock away money for medical expenses, leaving lower-income families in the dust.

Even his so-called solutions, like medical malpractice reform, are thinly veiled handouts to corporations. By capping damages in malpractice lawsuits, he’s not protecting doctors or lowering costs for patients—he’s shielding negligent hospitals and insurance companies from accountability. Meanwhile, his refusal to take meaningful action on skyrocketing prescription drug prices and out-of-control insurance premiums shows exactly where his priorities lie. He had a chance to stand with patients and families struggling to afford care. Instead, he chose the deep pockets of the healthcare industry.

The bottom line? Issa isn’t interested in making healthcare more affordable or accessible. He’s interested in protecting the status quo—one where insurers rake in record profits while ordinary Americans are forced to choose between medicine and rent. He may throw a few crumbs toward veterans and medical research when it’s politically convenient, but when it comes to policies that would actually lower costs and expand coverage, he’s nowhere to be found. Darrell Issa has spent his career ensuring that healthcare remains a privilege for the wealthy, not a right for all