July 2022

Watch the Ad Here.

Washington, DC — Protect Our Care is releasing a new cable TV ad condemning drug companies for doing everything in their power to protect their profits and block a plan that would deliver lower prescription drug costs to the American people. The ad also applauds President Biden and the Democrats in Congress for standing up to the drug companies with this legislation that will finally rein in Big Pharma’s greed. Pharmaceutical companies have spent over $100 million on lobbying this year alone to try to defeat this plan all while raking in record-breaking profits after jacking up prices for consumers. In America, people pay three times more for the same prescription drugs as they do in the rest of the world, because the drug companies have a monopoly and can set the price at whatever they want. 

The ad comes after Senate Democrats reached a historic deal to reduce health care costs and protect millions of households from health insurance premium spikes. Two decades ago, drug companies got Congress to ban Medicare from negotiating drug prices, but Democrats are on track to undo that ban, giving Medicare the power to lower prices for patients. In addition, the Democrats’ plan will cap seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs and penalize drug companies that raise prices faster than inflation. President Biden and the Democrats in Congress are working to deliver real relief to millions of American families. 

“Americans are tired of the broken system that puts Big Pharma’s profits above the needs of working families,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “It is shameful that, in the wealthiest country in the world, families are forced to choose between affording essential medications and putting food on the table or paying rent. Thankfully, President Biden and the Democrats in Congress are delivering on their promise to lower health care costs and expand affordable coverage. Meanwhile, Republicans are standing by big drug companies and other special interests, shamefully putting politics before people.” 

Ad Script:

And the drug companies just rake it in hand over fist. They spent $147 million lobbying lawmakers and saw billions of dollars in profits just last quarter alone. 

That’s how the system works. 

UNTIL NOW.

President Biden and Democrats in Congress are making it right.  Standing up to the drug companies.  They’re ending the days where drug companies can charge whatever they want by making them negotiate with Medicare to bring down prices. 

More patients will be able to afford their medicines. More families will be able to get some sleep at night.

It might mean smaller bonuses for drug company CEOs – fewer private jets and smaller yachts for them. But it lowers prices for patients and it’s the right thing to do. 

Paid for by Protect Our Care.

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR SUNDAY, JULY 31 AT 8:45 PM ET***  

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
CONTACT: Melissa Byrne, 609-364-4267

POC Will Sponsor Lite-Brite Display Outside of Phrma Headquarters Urging Congress to “Fight Pharma: Lower Rx Prices Now!”

Washington, DC – On Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 8:45 PM ET, Protect Our Care will host a Lite-Brite demonstration outside PhRMA’s headquarters in D.C., urging the Democrats in Congress to rein in Big Pharma’s greed and deliver real relief to millions of families. President Biden and Democrats are leading the charge to drive down health care costs and level the playing field for working families, by including Medicare negotiation and other key health care priorities in the reconciliation package. But Big Pharma is not going down without a fight. 

Big drug companies spent over $100 million lobbying this year alone to block any reform that brings down drug prices at the expense of their sky-high profits. With the help of Republican allies, drug companies have been relentless in their efforts to spread lies about the Democrats’ plan to lower the cost of prescription drugs. This event will make clear that Congress must act now to put an end to drug company greed and put patients first. 

LITE-BRITE DISPLAY

WHAT: Lite-Brite Display 

WHEN: Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 8:45 PM ET

WHERE: 950 F St NW, Washington, D.C., 20004

Democrats Reach Historic Reconciliation Deal that will Lower Health Care Costs to Millions 

Yesterday, the Democrats announced a historic reconciliation deal that will deliver lower health care costs for millions of families. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 lowers health care premiums by extending ACA financial assistance for three years and lowers prescription drug prices by giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower costs for millions of Americans, caps seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for drugs at $2000 per year, and stops Big Pharma’s egregious annual price hikes. Polling shows how these provisions meet the needs of the American people; over 80% of Americans support giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, including over 80 percent of Republicans and independents, and 71% of voters say it’s important to renew Affordable Care Act subsidies, including 68% of independents and 55% of Republicans. Media coverage reinforces how this agreement delivers for the American people and is the biggest step towards equitable health care coverage since the Affordable Care Act. 

COVERAGE

KFF: “How Would the Prescription Drug Provisions in the Senate Reconciliation Proposal Affect Medicare Beneficiaries?” The Senate Finance Committee recently released legislative text to be included in a forthcoming reconciliation bill that includes several provisions to lower prescription drug costs for people with Medicare and private insurance and reduce drug spending by the federal government…This provision is expected to limit out-of-pocket drug spending growth for people with Medicare and private insurance and put downward pressure on premiums by discouraging drug companies from increasing prices faster than inflation. [KFF, 7/27/22]

Bloomberg Editorial: “New Budget Deal Would Be a Big Win for Congress — And the Country.” The new bargain would also put $64 billion toward extending Covid-era subsidies for Obamacare health insurance, thus helping millions of Americans avoid significant premium increases…The plan would remove a legal prohibition that has long prevented Medicare from bargaining with pharmaceutical companies on behalf of the 49 million Americans in its drug-insurance program. This barrier has kept US drug prices the highest in the world — $1,300 per person per year, on average. [Editorial, Bloomberg, 7/27/22]

Politico: “Biden Thanked Manchin and Schumer for Their Work and Described the Deal as ‘the Action the American People Have Been Waiting For.’” Notably, the legislation also extends Affordable Care Act subsidies through the 2024 election and the first term of Biden’s presidency, taking a big political headache off the table for Democrats. Manchin said that “helps people because you just can’t throw [increases] on them during inflammatory times like this.” In a statement, Biden thanked Manchin and Schumer for their work and described the deal as “the action the American people have been waiting for.” [Politico, 7/27/22]

NPR: The Inflation Reduction Act Will “Continue Expansions To The Affordable Care Act” And “Allow Medicare To Pursue Lower Drug Costs.”  The legislation — called the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 — would also continue expansions to the Affordable Care Act that passed during the pandemic though 2025 and allow Medicare to pursue lower drug costs by negotiating directly with drug companies. [NPR, 7/27/22]

Washington Post: The “Spending Package That Aims To Lower Health-Care Costs” “Mark[s] A Massive Potential Breakthrough.” Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) on Wednesday reached a deal with Democratic leaders on a spending package that aims to lower health-care costs, combat climate change and reduce the federal deficit, marking a massive potential breakthrough for President Biden’s long-stalled economic agenda. [Washington Post, 7/27/22]

Today marks the five-year anniversary of Senator John McCain giving the final “thumbs-down” vote to block President Trump and Republicans’ top legislative priority: repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Protect Our Care fought alongside advocates, activists, and health care champions in Congress to crush the GOP’s repeal effects, and continue to fight today to preserve the ACA.

Now after more than a decade of protecting our health care, President Biden and Congressional Democrats are poised to pass the most historic legislation since the Affordable Care Act. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will lower prescription drug costs by giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices for millions of Americans, cap seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for drugs at $2000 per year, and stop Big Pharma’s egregious annual price hikes. The ACA’s financial assistance will also be extended for three years, lowering health care premium costs. 

Meanwhile, Republicans have spent more than a decade trying to destroy the Affordable Care Act and its protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions – and they have not quit their crusade against the health care law. House and Senate Republicans not only oppose the historic Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, they voted against the American Rescue Plan, which included measures to expand coverage and dramatically lower health care costs for millions of families. 

Even worse, Senate Republicans like Ron Johnson and Rick Scott have proposed plans to end the ACA altogether. Senator Johnson recently reignited the GOP fight to repeal the ACA, arguing that the GOP should develop an ACA replacement to “actually make good on what we established as our priorities.” As chair of the NRSC, Senator Scott proposed an 11 point Republican plan that would sunset all federal legislation in five years. Not only would the Rick Scott plan put the Affordable Care Act in grave danger, but it threatens every federal health program, including Medicare and Medicaid.

In addition to opposing the critical provisions to lower the costs of prescription drugs in the reconciliation bill, Republicans are also fighting against care for women, seniors, and people with disabilities. Republicans have attacked abortion rights and opposed legislation to help end the maternal mortality crisis. They voted against capping drug costs and extending hearing benefits for seniors. Republicans in Congress also continue to oppose closing the coverage gap in 12 states that have rejected Medicaid expansion, which has left more than two million vulnerable Americans uninsured. Failure to support these policies disproportionately harms people of color, who face increased barriers to accessing care and worse health outcomes. 

As we think back to that historic vote, the contrast remains crystal clear: while Democrats are fighting to level the playing field for working families, Republicans are siding with the pharmaceutical industry and other special interests by sabotaging our care.

Overcoming Pharma’s Greed and Unanimous Republican Opposition, Democrats Secure Greatest Health Care Achievement Since the ACA, Benefiting Millions By Driving Down Premiums and Prescription Drug Prices

Washington, D.C. — Today, Democrats reached a historic deal to drive down prescription drug costs and lower premiums for millions of Americans. Along with fighting inflation and making key investments in climate and energy, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 lowers prescription drug prices by giving Medicare the power to negotiate and other measures that will reduce the costs of prescription drugs for millions of Americans, and lowers health care premiums by extending ACA financial assistance for three years. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statements:

“The deal reached by Senate Democrats means millions of patients will finally be able to afford the health care they need. Health care is the number one kitchen table issue across America, with too many families forced to choose between paying the bills and affording essential care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “By reducing health care premiums and giving Medicare the power to lower prescription drug prices, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are delivering on their promise to lower health care costs and to make health care more accessible and equitable.”

 Kelley v. Becerra is Being Argued Today in Texas  

Kelley v. Becerra, which would end guaranteed free preventive care under the Affordable Care Act, is being argued today before the same district court judge whose decision to invalidate the entire Affordable Care Act was reversed by the Supreme Court in 2021. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate language in the ACA that guarantees free access to over 100 preventive health services, including vaccinations, infant and child care, cancer and health screenings, contraception, PrEP, and more, has become a bedrock of the American health care system. According to a new analysis by the Urban Institute, 168 million Americans have access to these services. Patient groups, medical professionals, and policy experts agree that this ruling could have dire consequences. The protections in the ACA also apply to people with employer insurance. Recent press coverage makes clear that this case is a grave threat to the essential health care services millions of Americans depend on.  

Expert Commentary and Analysis

Urban Institute: Free Preventive Services Provide Life-Saving Care For 167.5 Million Americans. A new report demonstrates that providing free preventive services improved vaccination rates, increased screening rates for certain chronic conditions and cancers, and improved access to preventive medications like birth control and preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. Overturning the preventive services requirement could reduce access to life-saving care for the 167.5 million Americans covered under ACA plans. [Urban Institute, 7/25/22]

American Lung Association and 24 Partner Groups: Patient Organizations Warn of Lawsuit that Threatens Coverage for Preventive Services and Immunizations. “Twenty-four organizations representing millions of people with or at risk for serious or chronic illnesses who have benefitted from access to preventive services, including the American Lung Association, signed this statement to ensure patients have access to the care they need, and we will vigorously defend patients’ right to access these critical services.” [American Lung Association, 7/22/22]

American Medical Association and 61 Partner Groups: Physicians Sound Alarm on Lawsuit Threatening Preventive Care. “The joint statement sounding alarms about this threat to preventive services was signed by 61 organizations, including American Medical Association. Our patients cannot afford to lose this critical access to preventive health care services. Rolling back this access would reverse important progress and make it harder for physicians to diagnose and treat diseases and medical conditions that, if caught early, are significantly more manageable.” [American Medical Association, 7/25/22]

Protect Our Care: Fact Sheet: Kelley v. Becerra Would End Guaranteed Free Preventive Health Care For More Than 150 Million Americans. The Kelley v. Becerra lawsuit would end every one of these guaranteed no-cost benefits. If successful, Americans will once again be at the mercy of insurance companies and employers, who could eliminate the benefits entirely or start charging for them, forcing patients to spend thousands of dollars a year for essential care they now get for free. [Protect Our Care, 7/20/22]

Protect Our Care Event: “We’re Playing With People’s Lives and It Has to Stop”: Experts, Advocates Joined Protect Our Care to Discuss Disastrous Impacts of New Lawsuit Threatening ACA Protections. Andrew Pincus, Kaye Bender, and DonnaMarie Woodson joined Protect Our Care for a virtual press call to discuss the Kelley v. Becerra lawsuit. During the call, speakers highlighted how this lawsuit is wrong on the merits and a grave threat to essential health care services millions of Americans depend on. [Protect Our Care, 7/25/22]

Listen to the Call Here.

News Stories

National Law Journal: Judge Who Struck Down Affordable Care Act in 2018 Will Decide Latest Challenge to the Law. “The case, Kelley v. Becerra, attacks a key leg of the statute—the guaranteed free preventive health services currently enjoyed by more than 150 million Americans. U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor of the Northern District of Texas will hear arguments on motions for summary judgment by the challengers and the Biden administration. In 2018, O’Connor, in a separate challenge, struck down the entire statute as unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court subsequently reversed.” [National Law Journal, 7/25/22]

Politico: Rules At Risk: Contraceptive Access. “The Affordable Care Act required insurers to cover preventive health care services such as vaccines and diagnostic screenings at no cost to patients. But some religious advocates have argued that payers should not be required to cover contraceptives and medicines that prevent transmission of HIV with no cost-sharing.” [Politico, 6/12/22]

Washington Post: Latest Legal Battle Over the ACA Begins. “Oral arguments will begin today in a case that threatens one of the Affordable Care Act’s most popular provisions, which requires insurers and group health plans to cover more than 100 preventive health-care services at no cost to consumers.” [Washington Post, 7/26/22]

Axios: Affordable Care Act Lawsuit Threatens Contraception Access. “A pending federal case takes up whether part of the law requiring coverage of preventive services is unconstitutional. If the plaintiffs are successful, millions of people could lose access to free services like cancer screenings, immunizations and contraception.” [Axios, 7/26/22]

Washington, DC — Today, Andrew Pincus and Kaye Bender from APHA joined Protect Our Care for a virtual press call to discuss the Kelley v. Becerra lawsuit, which threatens the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) preventive services requirement that guarantees free access to over 100 preventive health services, including routine vaccinations, well baby and child visits, cancer screenings, prenatal care, contraception, and more. In 2020 alone, more than 150 million Americans used these services. Along with DonnaMarie Woodson, a patient storyteller from North Carolina, speakers highlighted how this lawsuit is wrong on the merits and a grave threat to essential health care services millions of Americans depend on. 

Twenty-four organizations representing millions of people with or at risk for serious or chronic illnesses released a letter highlighting the need to protect access to preventive services. Read more about the case and the dire consequences here.

This event comes as Kelley v. Becerra is being argued on July 26 before the same Federal District Court judge whose decision invalidating the entire ACA was reversed by the Supreme Court in 2021.

“Each of the plaintiffs’ three legal arguments in this case is wrong,” said Andrew Pincus, Visiting Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School and Partner at Mayer Brown LLP. “Congress required the coverage of evidence-based preventive services, specified bodies that applied well-established standards to guide their decisions and that are subject to oversight by the HHS Secretary, and the Secretary himself has ratified all of the preventive services decisions. There is no basis for invalidating the preventive services provisions. Additionally, on these plaintiffs’ claim based on their religious beliefs, they have failed to show that their religious beliefs are burdened. Finally, if Judge O’Connor rules against the ACA, he hopefully will put his decision on hold, as he has in past ACA cases, otherwise Americans could quickly begin to lose their coverage of these critical services.”

“It hardly seems logical that we’re pondering why preventive services, like immunizations, health care screenings, routine infant and child health care services, preventive medications for individuals with HIV and access to women’s health services, are important in 2022,” said Kaye Bender, PhD, RN, FAAN, President of the American Public Health Association. “We have made tremendous progress with the ACA and with other health insurance, but it is archaic to leave our health and prevention of catastrophic health problems to employment or to the whims of insurance companies. Prevention should be at the choice of the patient and of the individual, and we must do everything we can to protect preventive benefits.” 

“The free screenings that are included with the Affordable Care Act literally saved my life,” said DonnaMarie Woodson, cancer survivor and advocate from North Carolina. “Preventive care is everything: it’s saving lives and also saving all of the trauma and the stress that a person would have to go through emotionally and monetarily, to pay for all of the services. I think about it on a daily basis how many people are walking around, not getting screened, because they don’t have health insurance. It’s expensive, it’s not cheap. I’m here to tell you that these screenings are essential to life. In my opinion, those who want to take away free screenings really disregard and disrespect human life. It’s madness. We’re playing with people’s lives, and it has to stop.” 

“The free preventive care guaranteed by the ACA for over 150 million Americans has become a bedrock of the American health care system, improving health outcomes, reducing disparities in care, and cutting consumer health care costs,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “The latest salvo in the Republican war on health care, this politically-driven lawsuit was brought by longtime foes of the ACA, abortion rights, marriage equality, vaccination mandates, and diversity policies. If this attack on the preventative services requirement is successful, Americans will again be at the mercy of insurance companies and employers, who could eliminate the benefits or start charging for them, forcing patients to spend thousands of dollars a year for essential care they now get for free.” 

 ***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, JULY 25 AT 11:30 AM ET***

Kelley v. Becerra Threatens to End Free Lifesaving Preventive Health Care for 150 Million Americans

Washington, DC — On Monday, July 25, 2022 at 11:30 AM ET, Andrew Pincus, Kaye Bender from APHA, and a patient advocate will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss the Kelley v. Becerra lawsuit, which would end the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) guaranteed access to free preventive care. The little known lawsuit was initiated by longtime foes of the ACA, abortion rights, marriage equality, vaccination mandates, and diversity policies, is being argued on July 26 before the same 5th circuit district court judge whose decision invalidating the entire ACA was reversed by the Supreme Court in 2021. 

The ACA guarantees access to over 100 preventive health services completely free of charge, including routine vaccinations, well baby and child visits, cancer screenings, prenatal care, contraception, and more. In 2020 alone, more than 150 million Americans used these services.   The ACA’s guaranteed coverage requirement applies not just to Marketplace coverage – it applies to health plans offered by employer sponsored, individual, small group, large group and self funded group plans.  During the call, speakers will make clear that this case is a grave threat to essential health care services that millions of Americans depend on. Read more about the case and the dire consequences here.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
Andrew Pincus, Visiting Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School and Partner at Mayer Brown LLP
Kaye Bender, PhD, RN, FAAN, President of the American Public Health Association
DonnaMarie Woodson, cancer survivor and advocate
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Monday, July 25, 2022 at 11:30 AM ET

Reconciliation Provisions Would Lower Health Care Costs for Millions of Americans

President Biden and the Democrats in Congress are moving forward with the most significant health care legislation since the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, Big Pharma has spent more than $100 million on lobbying this year alone to kill any proposal that lowers drug costs and threatens their massive profits. Poll after poll shows that President Biden’s health care provisions are both popular and desperately needed. With wide bipartisan support, the American people are counting on Congressional Democrats to rein in Big Pharma’s greed and deliver relief to millions of families by quickly getting the reconciliation bill to President Biden’s desk for signature. 

Navigator Poll Finds Overwhelming Majority Of Americans Support Democrats’ Plan To Allow Medicare Drug Price Negotiation And Extend Premium Savings. Overall, 71 percent of Americans back the plan, including 92 percent of Democrats, 62 percent of independents, and 49 percent of Republicans. [Navigator, 7/21/22]

AARP Poll Of 56 Most Competitive Congressional Districts Highlights Need To Pass Health Care Provisions In Reconciliation Bill. Voters over 50 are heavily motivated to vote in the 2022 election, identifying the following issues as “very important when deciding who to vote for”: Medicare, 75 percent, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs, 69 percent. [AARP, 7/20/22]

Morning Consult/Politico Finds Overwhelming Support For ACA Subsidy Extensions. ”7 in 10 say an extension of those subsidies is important…Nearly 9 in 10 Democrats back a renewal of ACA subsidies, as do roughly 3 in 5 independents. A 49% plurality of Republicans support an extension of the subsidies.” [Morning Consult/Politico, 7/20/22]

Morning Consult/Politico Poll Reveals Vast Majority Of Americans From Across The Political Spectrum Back Democrats Plans To Lower Drug Prices. Allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices had the support of 82 percent of Democrats, 71 percent of independents, and 73 percent of Republicans. Caps on drug price increases is backed by nearly 80 percent of voters and limiting out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for those on Medicare is supported by more than 70 percent of Americans. [Morning Consult/Politico, 7/13/22]

Navigator Poll Finds Majority Of Americans Support Medicaid Drug Price Negotiation And Believe It Is The Most Effective Tool To Fight Inflation. The vast majority of Americans support President Biden’s plans to lower health care premiums and allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, including 89 percent of Democrats, 56 percent of independents, and 52 percent of Republicans. Medicare drug price negotiation was ranked the most effective option for anti-inflation policy. [Navigator, 7/6/22]

Data For Progress Poll Finds Overwhelming Majority Of Americans From All Political Stripes Strongly Back Drug Price Negotiation. “83 percent of national likely voters support giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs, [including] support from 86 percent of Democrats, 81 percent of independents, and, perhaps most critically, 81 percent of Republican voters.” [D4P, 6/29/22]

AARP Poll Shows Voters Over 50 More Likely To Support Candidates Fighting To Lower Prescription Drug Prices. “As the voting bloc most likely to turnout in midterm elections, voters 50-plus could once again decide this year’s elections…the data show that voters 50-plus, regardless of political party, are more likely to vote for Congressional candidates who vow to …lower prescription drug prices.” [AARP Research, June 2022]

Americans Support Lowering Health Insurance Premiums In Navigator Poll. 75 percent of Americans backed President Biden’s plan to lower health coverage premiums by up to $2,400 a year for people purchasing their own insurance. [Navigator, 5/6/22]

• Voters From Across The Political Spectrum Want Action To Lower Premiums. 87 percent of Democrats, 72 percent of independents, and 63 percent of Republicans support government action to cut premium costs by up to $2,400 a year for those purchasing coverage on the marketplaces. [Navigator, 5/6/22]

Data For Progress Poll Finds Voters Overwhelmingly Support Biden’s Plan To Lower Prescription Drug Prices. 83 percent of voters want Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices. [Data For Progress, 5/4/22]

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, JULY 21 AT 10:00 AM ET***

Experts and Patients Hold Press Call as Parliamentarian Reviews Biggest Health Care Bill Since ACA 

Washington, DC — Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM ET, AARP, P4ADNow, National MS Society, patient advocates, and more will join Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss how the historic drug provisions included in the new reconciliation bill will change lives. 

As the drug pricing provisions in the reconciliation package are being reviewed by the parliamentarian, drug pricing experts and patients invite the press to join a call to walk through the impact of the historic reforms on Americans. This legislation – which is the largest healthcare bill since the ACA – will, for the first time, authorize Medicare to negotiate prices directly for some of the most expensive prescription medicines; institute a cap on out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries; and limit annual price increases to stop price gouging by drug corporations.

VIRTUAL EVENT:
WHO:
AARP
P4ADNow
National MS Society
Patient advocates
Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM ET

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