July 2021

On Medicare’s 56th Anniversary, Protect Our Care Released New Report Illustrating How the Savings From Drug Pricing Reform Could Be Reinvested in Strengthening Medicare Benefits

Watch the Event Here

Read the Report Here

Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) and President of the Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans Jackie Boschok joined Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to mark Medicare’s 56th anniversary and discuss how prescription drug pricing reform will generate robust savings that could be used to expand Medicare benefits to include dental, vision, and hearing. As it stands, millions of Medicare beneficiaries are currently without coverage in all three areas, profoundly impacting the health and well-being of seniors and people with disabilities. 

During the call, Protect Our Care unveiled a new report as a preview to Week 8 of Lower Rx Summer, which focuses on strengthening Medicare benefits. Lower Rx Summer consists of themed weeks of action to illustrate the urgent need for legislation to lower drug prices principally by giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for all Americans.

President Biden and members of Congress have an unprecedented opportunity to finally take action to lower drug prices. In 2019, the House of Representatives passed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), historic legislation that would lower drug prices for all Americans. H.R. 3 would save patients over $150 billion and the federal government $500 billion, which could be reinvested to strengthen health care for millions. These savings could help lower premiums on the ACA marketplaces, expand coverage to Americans stuck in the Medicaid coverage gap, and strengthen Medicare benefits to include hearing, vision, and dental. 

“I am really proud to be the House sponsor of the Medicare Vision Act, and it does feel like we can get this over the finish line,” said U.S. Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA-08). “We want to make sure that seniors and younger people with disabilities can live independently and safely for as long as possible. An important factor of independent living is making sure that they can see well enough to drive to appointments, walk safely around the house, and carefully read prescriptions. I was happy to see the Senate’s announcement that expanding Medicare to cover hearing, dental, and vision will be included in the reconciliation bill.”

“Medicare has given us a lot to celebrate over the years, and the best way to celebrate as we recover from the pandemic is to build back better and strengthen it for the future for all of us,” said Jackie Boschok, President of the Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans. “I can’t express enough what a difference lower drug prices and access to guaranteed hearing, dental, and vision benefits would mean for the 1.6 million Washingtonians who rely on Medicare. We must let Medicare negotiate prescription drug prices and use those savings to expand Medicare to provide vision, dental, and hearing benefits.”

“Giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices is a win-win policy,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Not only will Americans see major savings at the pharmacy counter, but millions of seniors and people with disabilities could finally gain access to vision, dental, and hearing benefits. There has never been a more urgent time to improve health care access, and Democrats won’t stop until they deliver lower costs and better care for the American people.” 

**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021, AT 11AM ET**

West Virginia Leaders to Highlight How High Drug Prices Hurt Seniors and Need for Rx Drug Reform

Charleston, WV — On Friday, July 30, 2021 at 11:00 AM ET, Protect Our Care West Virginia will hold a virtual press conference to draw attention to the need for Congress to pass meaningful prescription drug pricing reform, particularly because of the disastrous impact the high drug prices have on West Virginians over the age of 65 and living with a fixed income. July 30, 2021, is also the 56th anniversary of the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid.

In 2019, House Democrats passed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), bold legislation to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug costs — the single most effective measure to bring down drug prices. In April, House Democrats reintroduced this legislation, giving Congress another opportunity to lower prescription drug costs and meet the demands of voters. Not only does giving Medicare the power to negotiate help seniors at the pharmacy counter, but it would save the federal government nearly $500 billion, which could be reinvested to strengthen health care for seniors and older adults.

The event is part of Protect Our Care’s Campaign to Reduce Drug Prices, which was launched this summer in 14 states, including West Virginia, to demonstrate the urgent need for comprehensive legislation to lower drug prices.

PRESS CALL:

WHO: 

Kat Stoll, West Virginians for Affordable Health Care

Sam Hickman, National Association for Social Workers, West Virginia

Lynette Maselli, Protect Our Care West Virginia

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHEN: Friday, July 30, 2021 at 11:00 AM ET

WHERE: Register for the Event here

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, JULY 30 AT 1:00 PM ET // 10:00 AM PT***

PRESS CALL: U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, Alliance for Retired Americans, and Protect Our Care to Discuss How Reducing Drug Prices Would Help Expand Medicare Benefits to Include Dental, Vision, and Hearing

Protect Our Care to Mark 56th Medicare Anniversary With New Report on How the Robust Savings From Medicare Negotiation Could Be Reinvested in Improving Health Care For Millions

Washington, DC — On Friday, July 30 at 1:00 PM ET // 10:00 AM PT, U.S. Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA-08) and Jackie Boschok, President of the Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to mark Medicare’s 56th anniversary and unveil a new report on how prescription drug pricing reform will generate robust savings that could be used to expand Medicare benefits to include dental, vision, and hearing. As it stands, millions of Medicare beneficiaries are currently without coverage in all three areas, profoundly impacting the health and well-being of seniors and people with disabilities. 

The event is part of Protect Our Care’s Lower Rx Summer campaign, which consists of themed weeks of action to illustrate the urgent need for legislation to lower drug prices principally by giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for all Americans. 

In the coming months, President Biden and members of Congress have an unprecedented opportunity to finally take action to lower drug prices. In 2019, the House of Representatives passed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), historic legislation that would lower drug prices for all Americans. H.R. 3 would save patients over $150 billion and reduce the price of the costliest drugs by as much as 55 percent. Not only does giving Medicare the power to negotiate help patients at the pharmacy counter, but it would save the federal government $500 billion, which could be reinvested in strengthening Medicare to include dental, vision, and hearing benefits. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Kim Schrier (D-WA-08)
Jackie Boschok, President of the Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans
Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Discuss How Reducing Drug Prices Would Help Expand Medicare Benefits to Include Dental, Vision, and Hearing

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Friday, July 30 at 1:00 PM ET // 10:00 AM PT

“Delaware Patients Can’t Wait” Is Running on Digital Platforms Statewide

Watch the 30-Second Ad Here

Delaware — Protect Our Care launched a digital ad in Delaware as part of a seven-figure campaign about the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. The ad showcases the impact on patients when drug companies hike the price of essential medicines for Delawareans again and again. The ad makes clear the importance of giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for all Americans. 

The ad is part of The Campaign to Reduce Drug Prices, a grassroots and communications campaign calling for comprehensive legislation to lower drug prices. The ad is running on digital platforms, focusing particularly on older Delawareans. Protect Our Care will continue to run ads and host events both nationally and in 14 key states, including Delaware, throughout the summer.

“It is shameful that Americans pay three times more for medicines than people in other countries,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “While drug company profits soar, they continue to hike the price of lifesaving drugs for Delawareans and people across the country, forcing millions of families to choose between paying for the medicines they need to live or paying for food or rent. It’s time for Delaware lawmakers to do the right thing and support giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices. The time to act is now.”

Script for “Delaware Patients Can’t Wait” (:30s):

It’s always the same thing. 

The costs of prescription drugs keep going up. 

How are patients supposed to afford this?

Families need these life-saving drugs just to stay alive.

Delaware families pay 3 times more than people do in other countries to get the same medicines. 

Drug companies make more and more profits, and drug prices go up and up for patients. 

We can’t wait any longer to act.

Congress needs to give Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices.

Protect Our Care, MomsRising, and Little Lobbyists Release New Report As Part of Lower Rx Summer

Washington, DC — Today, Protect Our Care is kicking off week 8 of Lower Rx Summer with a report cosponsored by MomsRising and Little Lobbyists underscoring how high drug costs hurt children. Throughout the week, Protect Our Care will host events and release additional research to demonstrate the urgency for reform to bring down drug prices for children.

Remaining Theme Weeks for Lower Rx Summer
Week 8 (July 26): How High Drug Prices Hurt Children
Week 9 (August 2): Expanding Medicare Benefits—Dental, Vision, and Hearing

Children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP are more likely to have access to their prescription drugs, however, the children’s uninsured rate in states that have rejected Medicaid expansion is nearly double the rate in states that expanded the program. Between 2016 and 2019, the number of uninsured children increased by more than 700,000. The Urban Institute estimates that more than 6 million people would enroll in Medicaid if the remaining states implemented expansion, including some children who are currently eligible for the program, but would newly enroll as their parents seek coverage. 

“Nothing is more heartbreaking than a sick child, and it is unconscionable that so many families in our country can’t afford the medications their children need,” said Tasmiha Khan, Campaign Director for Health Care at MomsRising. “Lawmakers should act now to ensure that all families can access prescription drugs for their children, without being forced to sacrifice essentials or go into debt to pay for them. We need Congress to take action to reduce the cost of prescription medications now.”

“Many of our families rely on the innovation and development of life-saving medications to treat and sustain our children with complex medical needs and disabilities. Those medications, however, are only life-saving if the patient can afford them,” said Elena Hung, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Little Lobbyists. “Therefore, we call on Congress to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices so our families can access the life-saving medications our children need to survive and thrive.”

“It’s shameful that children are forced to bear the burden of Big Pharma’s profit motivations,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “American families should not have to pay three times more for the same medicines as people in other countries. Children and their families should not be put in the impossible position of choosing between paying for lifesaving drugs and paying for housing or food. It’s time to put an end to Big Pharma’s greed and give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices.”

In 2019, the House of Representatives passed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), historic legislation that would lower drug prices for all Americans. H.R. 3 would save patients over $150 billion and reduce the price of the costliest drugs by as much as 55 percent. 

Not only does giving Medicare the power to negotiate help patients at the pharmacy counter, but it would save the federal government $500 billion, which could be reinvested to strengthen health care. These savings could help lower premiums, expand coverage, and strengthen Medicare benefits to include hearing, vision, and dental. As the nation recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, ensuring access to affordable health care, and specifically prescription drugs, has never been more critical. 

KEY POINTS

• Economic and racial inequity limit access to needed medications for children. One in seven children live below the federal poverty line. Factors contributing to systemic racism make children of color more than twice as likely to live in poverty. Children living in households with incomes below $40,000 per year have an increased likelihood of struggling with prescription costs. 
• Big Pharma’s price gouging puts millions of children at risk. More than one in five children take prescription medication, many for chronic conditions. A recent report found that children zero to four are nearly five times more likely to experience anaphylaxis than their adult counterparts, but many parents are forced to send their children to school without lifesaving medications due to EpiPen price increases. 
• Government action is essential to improving health outcomes for children. Even young children are being charged nearly three times what patients in other countries are spending on the same prescription drugs. Health coverage, specifically Medicaid and CHIP, helps shield children from pharmaceutical corporation’s price gouging, yet more than eight percent of children remain uninsured in states refusing Medicaid expansion. 

Read the new report on how high drug costs hurt children here.

Supreme Court Ruling Represents Victory for Medicaid Expansion in Missouri, But Long Road Ahead Demonstrates Need for Federal Solution to Closing the Coverage Gap

Washington, DC — Yesterday, the Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of Medicaid expansion, reversing a lower court decision rejecting the program. In August 2020, voters in Missouri approved expansion, but Republicans in the state legislature refused to fund the program, leading to a months-long legal battle. In the meantime, at least 275,000 Missourians have been denied Medicaid coverage. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“It is simply outrageous that Republicans in Missouri ignored the will of the people and denied hundreds of thousands of Missouri families access to health coverage in the middle of a global pandemic. Research shows that Medicaid expansion increases access to care, bolsters the economy, and saves lives, but Republicans would rather play political games than improve the health and well being of their constituents. Every day this process plays out is another day 275,000 Missourians are denied access to coverage. What’s happened in Missouri makes clear we cannot trust Republican-led states to do the right thing, and we need a federal solution to ensure millions of people stuck in the coverage gap finally get the coverage they need.” 

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY JULY 23, 2021 AT 10:00 AM CT // 11:00 AM ET***

TODAY: U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, State Rep. Kristina Shelton, and Wisconsin Health Care Advocates to Discuss Senator Baldwin’s Medicaid Saves Lives Act

Medicaid Saves Live Act Would Extend Coverage To Millions Of Americans, Including Wisconsinites

WISCONSIN — On Friday, July 23 at 11:00 AM ET // 10:00 AM CT, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) will discuss the Medicaid Saves Lives Act for a press conference featuring Wisconsin residents and State Rep. Kristina Shelton (Green Bay). Hosted by Protect Our Care and Citizen Action of Wisconsin, residents who have seen the cost of state failures to expand Medicaid firsthand will share their experiences.

The Medicaid Saves Lives Act was introduced last week by Senators Baldwin, Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) to create a federal program to extend coverage to millions of people in states like Wisconsin that have refused Medicaid expansion.

An estimated four million uninsured adults could gain coverage if the remaining holdout states adopted expansion. In Wisconsin, the Republican state legislature’s repeated refusal to expand Medicaid has left more than 91,000 Wisconsinites without access to quality, affordable, health coverage. The state has also missed out on $1.6 billion in federal funding. 

Despite robust incentives included in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, twelve states — including Wisconsin, refuse to expand Medicaid, underscoring the need for a federal solution. The Medicaid Saves Live Act is that solution.

PRESS CALL

WHO:
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
State Rep. Kristina Shelton
Lisa Schwetschenau, health care advocate
Peggy McDowell, health care advocate

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Discuss the Medicaid Saves Live Act

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Friday, July 23 at  10:00 AM CT // 11:00 AM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, JULY 23 AT 1:00 PM ET // 12:00 PM CT***

PRESS CALL: U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, Small Business for America’s Future and Protect Our Care to Highlight Impact of High Drug Prices on Small Businesses

Call Will Convey Urgent Need To Stand Up To Big Pharma And Give Medicare the Power to Negotiate for Lower Drug Prices 

Washington, D.C. — On Friday, July 23 at 1:00 PM ET // 12:00 PM CT, U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Kristi Martin, Senior Advisor for Small Business for America’s Future, and Candace Combs, owner of Combs Business Consulting and In-Symmetry Spa and Small Business for America’s Future Small Business Council Member, will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss how high drug prices are harming small businesses. The event comes after Protect Our Care released a report co-sponsored by Small Business for America’s Future as part of Week 7 of Lower Rx Summer. 

In June, Protect Our Care announced Lower Rx Summer as part of The Campaign to Reduce Drug Prices. Lower Rx Summer consists of themed weeks of action to illustrate the urgent need for legislation to lower drug prices principally by giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for all Americans. 

In the coming months, President Biden and members of Congress have an unprecedented opportunity to finally take action to lower drug prices. In 2019, the House of Representatives passed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), historic legislation that would lower drug prices for all Americans. H.R. 3 would save patients over $150 billion and reduce the price of the costliest drugs by as much as 55 percent. Negotiation would also raise revenue for businesses and reduce employer provided health insurance costs. Lowering drug prices would help small businesses recover from the pandemic and thrive for years to come. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-MN-02)
Kristi Martin, Senior Advisor, Small Business for America’s Future
Candace Combs, Owner of Combs Business Consulting and In-Symmetry Spa and Small Business for America’s Future Small Business Council Member
Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Highlight Impact of High Drug Prices on Small Businesses

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Friday, July 23 at 1:00 PM ET // 12:00 PM CT