Dublin was born and raised in Wake County. He graduated from North Carolina State University and is now a teacher in a public school.
Our Q&A with Michael Dublin
Note: The candidate answered these questions over email to NC Health News.
What would be your plan for ensuring the future security/ strength of Medicare?
I support Medicaid for All. I believe healthcare is a human right. I support Universal Healthcare, free at the point of service, for all. We have models such as those in the UK Style National Healthcare Service and the Healthcare for All act pushed by Bernie Sanders and crafted by John Conyers. The legislation is there. I will push for it to reach the House Floor for a vote. I will vote yea.
What would you support in Congress as a plan to help control health care/ pharmaceutical costs?
I support taking the pharmaceutical industry into public ownership and democratic control. The current healthcare racket is mostly concerned with gathering huge profits off the backs of people with monopolistic pricing in a business model centered on addictive opioids and patent-protected medicines.
Where do you stand on time limits for Medicaid and work requirements for the program?
I support a U.S. healthcare system that operates with full protection, respect and inclusion of human rights for all, including women and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, Black, Indigenous, and people of color. This includes the unhoused and unemployed, which is another issue to be addressed.
What can the federal government do to support rural hospitals?
I will work to eliminate healthcare inequities and gaps in all disadvantaged communities by investing in local clinics and community hospitals.
Where do you stand on restoring funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
I believe the ACP needs to be restored because it helps support those who need the connection in this day when most of school work is online.
PFAS contamination is a country-wide issue; How do you balance public safety and business interests with this issue?
I support people over profits. Therefore, the balance should sway towards saving lives and keeping people healthy. We do not need or want forever chemicals in our water, soil, air and now in our bodies. I support legislation that severely restricts the use of these chemicals.
Is the federal government ready for the next pandemic?
No, it is not. Recent history has proved that. We need to launch an urgent national program to rebuild the U.S. epidemic/pandemic response.
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?
I need more information to give a thoughtful complete answer.
Where do you stand on federal abortion limits? What gestational limits, if any, would you set?
I support the right of women to full reproductive freedom and to determine the degree of technological intervention, including abortion, which they deem necessary for their own care and protection, regardless of their ability to pay.
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 will introduce and support legislation that guarantees childcare for all. I do support the child care tax credit.
What steps would you take to improve access to mental health services and to address the opioid overdose crisis?
The healthcare for all legislation that I support includes access to mental health services. Instead of pointing our fingers and blaming immigrants for the opioid crisis, we should buckle down and educate the public and be sure we are being proactive, not reactive. This includes more training in the schools, EMT’s, and care-givers and being sure they all have the resources needed to prevent overdoses.