In 2023, more than 25 million Americans were uninsured. Even for those with coverage, high deductibles and denied claims have made medical debt a leading cause of bankruptcy in this country.

That tells us something is broken.

A universal Medicare-style system would save an estimated 68,000 lives per year and reduce national healthcare spending by roughly $450 billion annually, while dramatically simplifying care for patients and providers alike.

When people are sick, the focus should be on care — not paperwork battles with insurance companies.

Health insurance shouldn’t disappear when someone changes jobs, cuts hours, or starts a small business.

Under a universal Medicare-style system:

• coverage would no longer depend on full-time employment
• restaurants and small businesses would no longer be incentivized to keep workers part-time
• employers would spend less time administering complex benefits

Healthcare should follow the person — not the job.

Until 2022, Medicare was legally barred from negotiating most prescription drug prices. Even today, only a small number of medications are subject to negotiated pricing.

That doesn’t make sense.

I will:

• allow Medicare to negotiate across the full drug market
• push the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand negotiations
• bring real competition back to prescription pricing

Utah families should not pay more for the same medications sold elsewhere.

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, data show increases in both infant and maternal mortality, as doctors in some areas hesitate to provide care under unclear legal risk.

I believe two things can be true at the same time:

• life is precious
• the relationship between a patient and a qualified physician is deeply personal

Medical decisions should be made in the exam room — not dictated by politicians in Washington.

Outdated Medicare reimbursement schedules often underpay providers, especially in rural and community settings.

I will work with CMS leadership to modernize payment schedules so doctors, clinics, and hospitals in Utah are fairly compensated.

When providers leave, communities lose.
Strong providers mean stronger local care.

Recent tariff policies have created significant market disruption, contributing to higher prices and lost manufacturing jobs.

Only Congress has constitutional authority to set tariffs and taxes. I will work to restore proper congressional oversight and bring stability back to U.S. trade policy.

Utah farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses should not be collateral damage in trade conflicts.

Nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC are proven investments.

Research shows ensuring children have reliable food access:

• saves billions in long-term healthcare costs
• improves graduation rates
• strengthens workforce participation

Temporary support during hard times helps families get back on their feet faster.

Today, most Utah households require two incomes, and childcare costs can consume nearly half of a family’s earnings.

High-quality pre-K:

• supports working parents
• improves long-term outcomes for children
• generates strong economic returns

Every dollar invested can return $3 to $20 in increased earnings and economic activity.

This is not just education policy — it’s workforce policy.

Americans spent an estimated 7.1 billion hours and $464 billion preparing taxes in 2025 — mostly using information the IRS already has.

I support a secure automatic filing option where:

• the IRS prepares a draft return
• taxpayers review and accept or dispute
• for many households, filing becomes as simple as clicking “accept”

Cut red tape — not corners.

Small businesses consistently report that complex licensing, permitting, and compliance costs make growth harder.

I will:

• streamline unnecessary regulatory burdens
• expand Small Business Administration support
• improve technical assistance for compliance

Local businesses deserve a fair shot.

Labor protections gave us the 40-hour workweek and workers’ compensation.

I support the PRO Act and targeted updates that protect workers while respecting local choice and voluntary participation — especially as AI reshapes the workforce.

Not every good job requires a four-year degree.

I will expand certificate, apprenticeship, and rapid-response training programs so communities aren’t left behind when industries shift.

Infrastructure investment creates local jobs while improving safety and reliability.

When infrastructure works, everything else does too.

Manufacturers increasingly restrict repairs through software lockouts and subscription models.

Ownership should mean ownership.

I will support right-to-repair protections for:

• farmers
• mechanics
• small repair businesses
• everyday consumers
  

Ban predatory rental contracts and require clear, transparent lease terms.

Housing stability starts with honest agreements.

Out-of-state hedge funds are increasingly purchasing single-family homes.

Utah families should have the first opportunity to buy homes in their own communities.

Research shows down payment assistance significantly increases first-time home ownership access and long-term stability.

Hard work should lead to ownership.

Restore clean energy tax credits to:

• lower household energy costs
• strengthen grid reliability
• support local energy jobs

The Great Salt Lake’s decline is a serious warning sign.

I support state- and locally-led conservation investments that:

• protect agriculture
• improve efficiency
• plan responsibly for growth

Local leadership — not one-size-fits-all mandates.

Support NOAA and National Weather Service forecasting that protects:

• farmers
• wildfire response
• emergency planning

Early warnings save lives and money.

Utah’s energy demand is rising fast. The Department of Energy has warned that, without smart planning, power outages could increase significantly in the coming years — driven in part by the rapid growth of energy-intensive industries like AI data centers.

Meeting 21st-century demand means thinking ahead. We need to strengthen the reliable energy sources we depend on today while also investing in the next generation of technology that will keep Utah competitive and energy secure.

I support an all-of-the-above approach that expands renewable energy and advances safe nuclear mini-reactor development to improve reliability and long-term stability.

At the same time, we need clear rules of the road. When large data centers come to Utah, they should help pay for the infrastructure they rely on — including power and water — rather than shifting those costs onto local families and small businesses.

Utah’s energy resources should first and foremost support Utah families, Utah jobs, and Utah’s long-term growth — not leave ratepayers holding the bill while multinational corporations reap the benefits.

Utah’s recent election audits confirmed our system is secure. We should build on what works.

Voters should choose their leaders — not the other way around.

I support anti-gerrymandering reforms nationwide.

Ranked-choice voting gives voters a greater voice and rewards broad support while reducing polarization.

My name is Ian Parrish, and I’m running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Utah’s Second Congressional District.

I’m deeply invested in this district and this state. I’ve lived here nearly my entire life. On my father’s side, my family traces back to early handcart pioneers. On my mother’s side, my grandparents immigrated from the Netherlands after World War II and chose Utah as the place to build their life in the United States.

I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by people who believed in me — family, teachers, church leaders, and scout mentors who modeled service, responsibility, and faith in community.

I’m from Clearfield, and for most of the last decade I’ve worked in the auto finance industry, leading teams that collected on charged-off loans through negotiation and litigation. That work has given me a clear view of how our system works in the real world.

I saw working-class people struggle while large financial institutions prospered — sometimes by violating the trust of their own customers. That experience shaped my belief that the law should protect honest people and hold powerful institutions accountable.

Working with frustrated and overwhelmed customers also taught me something just as important: progress starts with listening. Meeting people where they are, keeping emotions steady, and focusing on solutions — not finger-pointing — is how real problems get solved.

Building financial projections and testifying in court taught me to respect the facts as they are, not as we wish they were. And having been under oath in court nearly 100 times, I’ve never sworn an oath I didn’t keep.

I also believe that the government — especially Washington — works best when it respects boundaries and focuses on what matters most to families.

These principles guide how I lead:

• Spend where it counts — invest where returns are highest
• Don’t pass the buck — take responsibility for what you control
• Keep your eye on the ball — set clear goals and stay focused on the future
• We’ve got this — build strong teams and move forward with confidence

But that’s only half my story.

After graduating from Clearfield High School, I attended Utah State University. Like many young people, I tried to balance full-time work and school at the same time. I couldn’t keep up, and I eventually stepped away from college feeling discouraged and uncertain about my path.

For a period of my life, I struggled more than I understood at the time. I made mistakes, faced real setbacks, and learned some hard lessons about responsibility and direction. I know what it feels like to lose your footing — and what it takes to rebuild.

What ultimately changed the trajectory of my life came down to two things: healthcare and community.

In my mid-20s, I was diagnosed with ADHD. For the first time, years of academic and personal struggles made sense. With the help of dedicated doctors and the right treatment, I was able to regain stability and move forward with clarity and purpose. I’m now sober and grateful every day for the second chance I was given.

Just as important was the community that stood behind me — family and friends who never gave up, teachers and mentors who kept pushing me forward, small business owners willing to offer opportunity, and leaders from church and scouting who modeled accountability and service.

I didn’t rebuild my life alone. No one truly does.

That experience shaped why I’m running today. Utahns deserve a representative who shows up, listens, and is willing to stand up — both to Washington and to their own party when necessary — to do what’s right for working families.

I will lead in Congress the same way I led on the collections floor: focused, accountable, and grounded in results.

I will invest in Utahns.
I will respect the responsibility that comes with this office.
And I will stay focused on improving the lives of working families across our state and nation.

Most importantly, I believe we have an opportunity — together — to build a government that works better for Utahns. At a time when many people feel left behind or unheard, I’m running to help restore trust, deliver practical results, and make sure the next generation has a fair shot.

I’m excited about what we will accomplish together, and I hope you are too.