Rep. Terri Sewell, D-AL, visited Selma Monday night to talk about the upcoming legislative session.

Now that the Democrats have gained control of the House after the Nov. 6 elections, Sewell is hopeful legislation goals will be met in the House.

One main goal Sewell is focused on is healthcare.

“There was an election 10 days ago, and there was a change in the House of Representatives,” said Sewell. “I think that this is a win for the American people. I think it is a mandate for divided government, and a check and balance on government. I think that is only fair. I think it is something that will benefit all American people. The mandate for the Democratic Party is that we roll up our sleeves and we get to work with this administration and on behalf of the American people.

“I think the first thing we work on will be healthcare,” said Sewell. “The Affordable Care Act is not working the way it is supposed to work, but I can tell you that in America healthcare should not be a privilege for the few it should be a right for all.”

Sewell ran on this platform.

“I believe that fervently,” said Sewell, as she shared how her father was saved when he had a stroke and was able to be airlifted to Birmingham because he had good health insurance from the Selma City School system.

“I never forget that,” she said. “I never forget that dad was saved by healthcare. I know there are so many of my constituents that don’t have access to quality healthcare let alone healthcare insurance. Here is what I know for a fact: we all pay when people don’t have healthcare insurance. That means everyone rushes to the emergency room and they get their care on the back end. States like Alabama were not supposed to be able to opt out of expanding Medicaid. The last two governors have not done that. It’s horrible. The reality is the fact that we have not expanded Medicaid means rural hospitals are under threat. Alabama has a bare bones Medicaid system. They pay less than 10 percent on a dollar for the services for Medicaid.

“For example, if you go to Massachusetts and have an appendix operation, the cost of that appendix operation is reimbursed on a lot larger scale than it is in Alabama.  Part of that is because of a federal wage index. So, I have sponsored since I have been in Congress every session, and I will continue to do so in 2019, I will file the bill for the Fair Wage Medicaid Reimbursement Act. I want the cost of how we reimburse Medicaid and Medicare increased in the southern regions. I am partnering with Republicans who represent similar districts and states.

“If you are dependent on Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement, you are getting minimum reimbursement and it is not fair,” she said. “Especially when you have states like California and Massachusetts who get about three times as much.”