James Talarico says Jesus inspired his plan with Mark Cuban to break up healthcare ‘monopolies’
WASHINGTON, DC: Texas Senate candidate James Talarico on Saturday, August 29, said that his Christian faith helped inspire a new healthcare agenda he developed with billionaire Mark Cuban, including a proposal to break up large healthcare companies.
In an interview with 'Fox News' anchor Jessica Tarlov, Talarico outlined the plan while criticizing healthcare giants such as CVS. "Mark and I agree it’s time to break up the Big Medicine monopolies that control our broken healthcare system,” Talarico said, announcing the project with Cuban on Thursday, August 27.
James Talarico and Mark Cuban target healthcare monopolies
Talarico and Cuban unveiled their healthcare plan two days before the interview, outlining proposals aimed at reducing medication and healthcare costs. Talarico said the agenda focuses on breaking up large healthcare companies that he argues are driving up prices.
"Healthcare corporations are ripping us off, jacking up premiums and profiting off our pain. This plan will break up monopolies, lower medical debt, bring down the cost of prescription drugs,” he said. The plan would also seek to give doctors greater authority over prescriptions rather than leaving those decisions to insurance companies, according to Talarico.
During the interview, he specifically pointed to CVS as an example of the type of company he believes has become too influential across the healthcare industry.
“It it is insane that one company can literally control, the hospital where you pay to get care, the pharmacy where you pay for your medications, and the insurance company that decides how much you pay,” Talarico said. “It’s a racket.”
Talarico connects healthcare plan to Jesus
Talarico then connected the healthcare proposal to his Christian faith, citing Jesus’ focus on healing in the New Testament.
.@JamesTalarico: If you go back and read the New Testament — even if you're not a Christian — go back and see what Jesus spends most of his time doing.
— Team Talarico (@TeamTalaricoHQ) August 29, 2026
It's not preaching, it's not teaching. It's healing.
That is what we are called to do — whether you're religious or not — is… pic.twitter.com/7bStZYxJwu
“If you go back and see what Jesus spends most of his time doing. It’s not preaching, it’s not teaching, it’s healing, and that is what we’re called to do, whether you’re religious or not, is ensure that our neighbors have the care that they need. And that is going to be the end result of this plan."
Talarico also shared a message on X on Saturday, emphasizing the connection between his faith and his healthcare agenda.
Trump attacks Talarico as Texas Senate race tightens
Talarico’s comments come as the Texas Senate contest draws increased national attention. President Donald Trump is backing Ken Paxton in this race, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator John Cornyn, and has said he plans to spend significant time in Texas campaigning for him.
Trump on Thursday attacked Talarico and used the nickname “Talafreako” while promoting Paxton.
Trump on James Talarico: "TalaFREAKO they call him because he is a little freaky." pic.twitter.com/Yw4U5c3JuO
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) August 27, 2026
“We have a very good candidate, Ken Paxton, and he’s running against Tel-a-freak-o, they call him, because he is a little freaky,” Trump said. “And that’s not a man that represents the value of Texas.”
Trump added, “We’re working very hard. We want to win that race. So I’m going to help Ken Paxton, and I’m going to spend a lot of time in Texas.”
The Texas race is considered a major midterm contest. Democrats have not won a US Senate election in Texas since 1993, while recent polling has shown a competitive contest between Paxton and Talarico.
