Ali, an Army veteran, is a media consultant and entrepreneur who lives in Charlotte. He is the founder of the NCGOP Black Conservative Voices Coalition and co-hosts the Urban Conservative Podcast with his twin brother Raheem. Ali and his wife, Lataisha, have two children.
Our Q&A with Addul Ali
The following responses were provided by Addul Ali.
What would be your plan for ensuring the future security/ strength of Medicare?
To ensure the future security of Medicare, I would advocate for a multi-faceted approach:
- Cost Control: Implement measures to further negotiate drug prices and reduce waste in healthcare services.
- Preventive Care: Increase funding for preventive services to reduce long-term costs to the taxpayers.
- Sustainable Funding: Adjust payroll taxes and explore additional revenue sources to keep the program solvent.
- Modernization: Leverage technology including AI to improve efficiency.
- Public Awareness: Educate beneficiaries on available services and options to promote healthier choices.
What would you support in Congress as a plan to help control health care/ pharmaceutical costs?
I believe that we could do a number of things like requiring providers to publicly justify high prices and, as previously mentioned, implement measures to further negotiate drug prices and reduce waste in healthcare services.
Where do you stand on time limits for Medicaid and work requirements for the program?
I am in favor of helping working families and working to help people rely less on the government. I would be willing to consider legislation that addresses these issues without compromising coverage for those that need it the most.
What can the federal government do to support rural hospitals?
I think we can improve access to telehealth and look for cost savings in existing programs to divert resources to support rural hospitals and clinics.
Where do you stand on restoring funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
I would favor funding the program again provided that there are realistic connectivity goals in the legislation.
PFAS contamination is a country-wide issue; How do you balance public safety and business interests with this issue?
I think that the business interests are secondary to public safety. I would vote in favor of resources directed at reducing PFAS contamination and ensuring that we understand the effects on our citizens.
Is the federal government ready for the next pandemic?
I believe that under the right leadership we can be.
In 2009, Congress required more transparency from hospitals on their charitable work: Do you think the federal government should enforce stricter requirements for nonprofit hospitals to justify their tax exemptions? Why or why not?
Yes. We need to ensure that we are not providing tax exemptions for organizations that are designed to give executives and administrators golden parachutes.
Where do you stand on federal abortion limits? What gestational limits, if any, would you set?
I do not support federal involvement on the issue of abortion. I believe that it should be a direct vote of the people of each state. I support the current legislation on the books in North Carolina and agree with the exceptions provided.
How can Congress improve access to child care? What states are leading the way that you think could be a good federal model? Support for the EITC/ child care tax credit?
I believe that we should further reduce the income tax burden on families with young children via EITC to help them to be able to afford child care.
What steps would you take to improve access to mental health services and to address the opioid overdose crisis?
I will advocate for more mental health education for law enforcement and support initiatives like Veterans Courts. I will also advocate for more opioid abuse education programs.