Justin Dues is a 38-year-old Concord resident who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2003 to 2012. After earning an MBA from UNC Charlotte in 2018, he launched a “medical device startup” with the goal of creating “a safe wearable to address injuries sustained during service that would replace the use of opioids for pain management,” according to his campaign website.
Our Q&A with Justin Dues
What would be your plan for ensuring the future security/strength of Medicare?
Joining the rest of the developed world with a universal health care system, otherwise we are morally bankrupt as a nation to continue as a profit-driven system. The United States is the only wealthy, industrialized country that does not provide universal health care. The only other countries in the world that do not have free health care include Nigeria, Yemen, South Africa, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.
What would you support in Congress as a plan to help control health care/pharmaceutical costs?
Windfall-profit taxes on private health care providers, insurers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Plus a higher marginal tax rate on large pharma companies and universal health care options (no-cost / single-payer) for the citizens.
Where do you stand on work requirements and targeted time limits for Medicaid?
Short-term access to necessary medical care should never be tied to work requirements. However, as a nation, we should want as many contributing members to society as possible. Again, with universal health care, this would not be an issue.
What can the federal government do to support rural hospitals?
Similar to how the federal government supports rural military bases, federal funding should be used to address the gap if it is deemed necessary for the health or safety of the nation. There’s no one-size fits all solution. We need to evaluate causes, current and future demand of locations, consolidation efforts, etc. It is very possible to support rural hospitals with universal health care that is not driven or motivated by profit.
Where do you stand on restoring funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
Without seeing the data on its impact it is hard to know, but in 2024 it seems that nearly everyone has an internet-connected device (cellphone, tablet) already. In my honest opinion, we need to be spending less time on devices, not more.
PFAS contamination is a nationwide issue; How do you address it while balancing public safety and business interests?
First and foremost, business interests should never outweigh public safety concerns. Public and private organizations need to be held accountable if they knowingly continue to utilize harmful practices. There needs to be additional research funding for PFAS-capture methods and global collaboration, as it affects us all.
Is the federal government ready for the next pandemic?
Hard to say given that we don’t know what type of pandemic it may turn out to be. If it’s very similar to a COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government is most likely ready given the recent experience. However, the federal government could do a much better job to ensure healthy lifestyle choices (nutrition, exercise, sleep, etc.) are well known and practiced so potentially fewer citizens get sick from the next pandemic. They could also regulate the food and drug industry much better so less harmful foods, additives and chemicals are introduced into the human body.
Do you think the federal government should enforce stricter requirements for nonprofit hospitals to justify their tax exemptions? Why or why not?
All health care should be nonprofit. The stricter requirements, if any, should judge the quality of care given and the rate of positive outcomes for patients, then reward the best performing hospitals, learn why they are performing so well, and spread that information and those practices to other hospitals and providers.
Where do you stand on federal abortion limits? What gestational limits, if any, would you set?
A trimester-based framework, with room for exceptions, balances the interests of both sides by recognizing the differing levels of fetal development and viability. Early-term abortions are generally supported by those advocating for reproductive freedom, while later-term restrictions address concerns about fetal viability and protection of human life.
How can Congress improve access to child care? What states are leading the way that you think could be a good federal model?
To improve access, congress must first realize that child care is actually the beginning stages of human development and learning. Why only focus on childhood years 5 to 18 as normal to be publicly funded but leave out some of the most crucial time for a child to be exposed to a positive and nurturing environment (ages 0 to 5)? Publicly funded child care should not be mandatory for parents who prefer to have other options, but optional for parents who want to maintain employment in the workforce without having to forgo the best option for their child.
What steps would you take to improve access to mental health services and to address the opioid overdose crisis?
With universal health care, preventative measures such as cognitive based therapy, medication-assisted treatment and rehabilitation, among others, could be introduced early, whereas today they are not attainable by most U.S. citizens due to high costs. There also needs to be a better job done in public education to help educate children on what social and emotional health looks like to lessen the stigmatization of treatment or a diagnosis.
Are there any other issues that you’d like to weigh in on?
Lots of them, actually. Please read more at justicewithdues.org/solutions.