Raja Krishnamoorthi receives 2024 Ruth Rothstein Award 

Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) has received the 2024 Ruth Rothstein Award for Excellence for his contributions to health care throughout Cook County in his home state of Illinois.

Named after the former chief of the Cook County Department of Public Health, the award presented by the Cook County Health Foundation

highlights leadership and service in the field of health care. Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle presented the award to Krishnamoorthi during the foundation’s annual gala last week.

READ: Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi advocates for unity in DNC speech (August 27, 2024)

“All Illinois elected officials should try and follow in Ruth Rothstein’s footsteps by making health care more accessible and affordable for everyone,” Krishnamoorthi said in his acceptance speech. “From taking on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to lower drug prices nationally to securing $2 million for Cook County Public Health to build an urgent care facility in Arlington Heights, I am committed to doing just that, using my position in Congress to create positive health care change for Illinoisans.

“It is an honor to receive an award that bears Ruth’s name, and I look forward to continuing my work with the Cook County Health Foundation and President Toni Preckwinkle to fully realize Ruth’s vision of a healthier Cook County for all its residents,” he said.

Krishnamoorthi is a supporter of efforts to expand access to health care across the state and the country, backing measures in Congress such as the restoration of reproductive rights to tens of millions of women taken away following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a press release from his office.

READ: How Raja Krishnamoorthi became a major player on Capitol Hill (May 23, 2024)

Krishnamoorthi also has backed a number of local health care projects throughout Cook County, including securing $2 million in federal community project funding for the completion of a new urgent care in Arlington Heights.

The Cook County Health Foundation praised Krishnamoorthi’s leadership, highlighting his ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes for residents.