Why I traveled to Washington, D.C., to oppose Kavanaugh’s nomination

Earlier this month, I flew to Washington, D.C., with a diverse delegation of eight Alaska women to urge Sen. Lisa Murkowski to oppose Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court.

It took commitment for me to take time from my infant twins, my mental health care practice, and my ongoing U.S. Olympic Committee duties to fly across the country. But I wanted to convey to Sen. Murkowski in person just how devastating Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation would be for a constituency I care deeply about: Alaskans with pre-existing conditions, including those suffering with mental health conditions.

Much has transpired since our trip. The Alaska Federation of Natives came out against Judge Kavanaugh because of his views on Native rights. Alaska Gov. Bill Walker and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott issued a joint statement opposing Judge Kavanaugh because of his record on issues affecting working families, health care access and Alaska Natives.

Most stunningly, Judge Kavanaugh's nomination was upended by the serious allegation that he sexually assaulted Dr. Christine Blasey Ford when he was in high school. People are rightly concerned that if the Senate votes to confirm Judge Kavanaugh under a lingering cloud of suspicion and mistrust, the legitimacy of the Supreme Court as an institution might be irredeemably damaged.

If Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed to the Supreme Court, he will have breathtaking influence over our lives and our children's lives for decades to come. This is not a job that should be given to a person who has, for whatever reason, lost the public trust.

When I met with Sen. Murkowski, I delivered two important messages. The first was a heartfelt video message from my Olympic teammate and friend, Kikkan Randall, the newly crowned 2018 Olympic Champion. Kikkan could not make the trip because she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. In her video, Kikkan spoke on behalf of Alaskans (and Americans) who have a pre-existing health condition or could in the future. Kikkan asked Sen. Murkowski to oppose Judge Kavanaugh because of the likelihood he would vote to strike down the Affordable Care Act's provisions ensuring that people with pre-existing conditions have access to affordable, quality health insurance. This issue is newly personal for Kikkan: she is a retired athlete who soon will be self-employed with a serious (and potentially financially ruinous) pre-existing condition.

Second, I spoke with Sen. Murkowski about my work in the mental health field. Before the Affordable Care Act's pre-existing conditions protections were put in place, many people with mental health challenges did not seek treatment because they couldn't afford it or were afraid they would be diagnosed with pre-existing conditions. If Kavanaugh is confirmed and, as is widely feared, votes to eliminate protections for people with pre-existing conditions, insurers would once again be allowed to charge higher premiums or deny coverage to people with pre-existing mental health conditions. This would be disastrous for Alaskans. Our state has the third highest suicide rate in the country, and the 2017 Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 22.8 percent of Alaska's teens have seriously contemplated suicide. Alaskans suffering with mental health challenges must be given every incentive possible to get the help they need.

When Judge Kavanaugh was nominated, many senators immediately announced their opposition or support along predictable party lines. Sen. Murkowski reserved her judgment. She took the time to meet with our delegation which included an African-American faith leader, an ob-gyn doctor, a retired Alaska Native schoolteacher, and a retired union member. Sen. Murkowski was non-committal, but she listened carefully and echoed some of our concerns about health care access, reproductive choice, voting rights, LGBTQ rights, school vouchers and presidential accountability.

I have tremendous respect for Sen. Murkowski's commitment to making an informed decision. I also recognize that this is perhaps the most critical and far-reaching vote of her career, and she is under enormous pressure.

On behalf of our delegation and the many Alaskans who contributed hard-earned dollars and frequent flyer miles to fund our trip, I join a growing chorus of Alaska voices urging Sen. Murkowski to exercise her well-known independence and vote "no." I hope you will add your voice too: please contact Sen. Murkowski's office and urge her to oppose Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court. Thank you.

Holly Brooks is a two-time Olympian, a mother, a mental health professional and a representative to the U.S. Olympic Committee's Athletes' Advisory Council. She lives in Anchorage.

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