Sarah brings a unique perspective to the healthcare challenges in Mississippi, drawing from her experiences as a physician, a mother of a special needs daughter, and a caregiver to a teenage daughter who was treated for thyroid cancer. Her firsthand encounters with the complexities of the healthcare system have shaped her understanding of the obstacles many families face, particularly when navigating insurance companies. Having fought tirelessly with insurers to secure the necessary treatments and care for her children, Sarah is acutely aware of the systemic flaws that hinder access to quality healthcare. This personal journey fuels her passion for advocating for meaningful reforms in Mississippi's healthcare landscape. She understands that improving healthcare access and affordability is not just a policy issue; it is a matter of life and death for families like hers. With her medical expertise and personal experiences, Sarah Adlakha is committed to championing changes that will create a more compassionate and effective healthcare system for all Mississippians.

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Mississippi currently has one of the highest rates of uninsured residents in addition to significant healthcare provider shortages in many rural areas of the state. Furthermore, Mississippi residents who are covered by insurance plans often face high premiums and deductibles, making it difficult for families to afford comprehensive coverage. Many residents struggle to find affordable options that meet their needs, and the high rates of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in the state adds another layer of complexity. These conditions often lead to increased healthcare costs, which can drive up insurance premiums, creating a vicious cycle of unaffordability and poor health outcomes.​

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By increasing efficiency in healthcare, reducing costs, and expanding access through innovation and market-driven solutions, a more accessible and affordable healthcare landscape will emerge for all Mississippians. There are several strategic steps to lower healthcare and insurance costs for the state:

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1. Increase Competition in the Healthcare Market

• Proposal: Promote competition among healthcare providers and insurers to drive down costs.

• Implementation: Deregulate healthcare markets to encourage new providers and insurers to enter the market. This could include relaxing restrictions on telemedicine, allowing patients to seek care across state lines, and reducing the bureaucratic barriers for healthcare startups.

• Expected Impact: Competition may lower prices and improve the quality of services, giving Mississippians more affordable options.

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2. Expand Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

• Proposal: Encourage the use of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to empower individuals to manage their healthcare costs.

• Implementation: Increase the contribution limits for HSAs and make them available to more people. Offering tax incentives for employers and employees who use HSAs could also help.

• Expected Impact: HSAs give individuals more control over their healthcare spending, encouraging cost-conscious decisions while offering tax advantages.

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3. Implement Medicaid Block Grants

• Proposal: Convert Medicaid into a block grant program to give Mississippi more control over how it allocates funds.

• Implementation: Allow the state to receive a fixed amount of federal funding with fewer restrictions, providing flexibility in managing its Medicaid program. Mississippi could then tailor Medicaid services based on local needs, potentially focusing on preventive care and cost-efficient programs.

• Expected Impact: Block grants could reduce federal mandates and give Mississippi more freedom to manage its healthcare budget, ideally leading to more efficient use of resources and improved access.

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4. Promote Telemedicine and Technological Innovation

• Proposal: Expand the use of telemedicine to improve access, especially in rural areas where healthcare services are limited.

• Implementation: Invest in broadband infrastructure to ensure rural communities can utilize telemedicine services. Encourage insurance companies and healthcare providers to offer telemedicine as a cost-effective alternative to in-person visits.

• Expected Impact: Telemedicine can reduce the need for costly emergency room visits and hospitalizations by providing earlier access to care, particularly for underserved rural populations.

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5. Reduce Regulatory Burdens on Healthcare Providers

• Proposal: Roll back certain regulations that increase healthcare costs without improving patient outcomes.

• Implementation: Reevaluate and eliminate unnecessary federal and state regulations that drive up administrative costs, such as certain reporting requirements and certifications. Streamline the approval process for new healthcare technologies and drugs.

• Expected Impact: Reducing red tape allows providers to focus more on patient care and less on administrative tasks, potentially lowering costs and expanding access to services in Mississippi.