March 2023

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 9 AT 12:15 PM ET***

Echoing President Biden’s Remarks, Speakers Will Call Out Republicans for Working to Rip Health Coverage Away from Millions of People

LANSING, MI – On Thursday, March 9, at 12:15 ET, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and health  care leaders will join Protect Our Care Michigan to discuss the GOP’s real threats to slash Medicaid and dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For months, Republicans have promised to use their House majority to defund Medicare and Medicaid, and repeal the Affordable Care Act and Inflation Reduction Act rather than make companies and the wealthy pay their fair share.

Recent press reports indicate that GOP lawmakers have been meeting with Russ Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under former President Trump, as they begin to draft a budget to use as part of their threat to tank the economy and default on the nation’s debt if President Biden doesn’t agree to slash health care and other programs. Vought’s plan would cut $2 trillion from Medicaid alone and repeal Medicaid expansion, which covers 20 million people. This is the latest in a long line of Republican attacks on Medicaid.

Speakers will describe how the Republican plan would be catastrophic for Michiganders and disproportionately impact children, rural communities, people with disabilities, and people of color. Speakers will also discuss new polling showing widespread support for Medicaid among voters, as well as significant opposition to cuts in Medicaid funding.

Learn more about the latest Republican attacks on health care here.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow
Dr. Farhan Bhatti, CEO and Medical Director of Care Free Medical
Eric Schneidewind, past AARP national president, Michigan senior on Medicare

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)

WHEN: Thursday, March 9 AT 12:15 PM ET

Congressional Republicans Have No Plan to Extend the Life of Medicare and Have Vowed to Repeal Medicare’s Power to Negotiate Lower Drug Prices 

Washington DC — Today, President Biden announced a plan to extend the solvency of the Medicare trust fund beyond 2050, ensuring that seniors and near seniors have access to this vital health care program for years to come. The proposed budget also builds on the work of the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act to strengthen Medicare’s power to negotiate lower drug prices and ensure the wealthiest Americans earning more than $400,000 per year pay their fair share in taxes. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“President Biden is taking a stand to protect our nation’s seniors. While Republicans are working overtime to hold our economy hostage so they can slash vital health care programs, President Biden has made clear he will not back down from his promises to the American people. Democrats have worked hard to put seniors first, whether by giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, capping insulin costs, or providing free vaccines. These measures have already lowered costs for millions, especially for seniors of color and rural seniors. This plan will build on this work to ensure Medicare is secure for another generation without raising costs or cutting benefits for seniors who have worked hard their entire lives. This plan to protect Medicare is essential to making affordable health care a right and not just a privilege for every American.”

Watch the Full Video Here.

This week, Eli Lilly announced that the company would limit the cost of insulin to $35 per month, following pressure from the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress. At the State of the Union address, President Biden called on drug companies to finish the job of the Inflation Reduction Act and bring down insulin prices for patients. Lowering insulin costs will give millions of families more breathing room — especially rural Americans and people of color who are more likely to suffer from diabetes and struggle to afford their health care costs. 

News coverage makes clear that Eli Lilly’s insulin cap will help millions of patients afford this lifesaving medication and that it is the direct result of President Biden and Congressional Democrats passing the insulin cap for seniors last year. Republicans, on the other hand, fought hard to prevent the insulin cap from taking effect and continue to advocate for repealing it altogether. 

Background:

FACT SHEET: Millions of Seniors Are Saving Big Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s $35 Insulin Cap

STATEMENT: President Biden and Congressional Democrats Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act Paves the Way for Eli Lilly to Expand $35 Insulin Cap to Everyone

HEADLINES: “Bringing Relief For Millions,” Eli Lilly Caps Insulin Costs At $35 Per Month For Everyone (Thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress) 

Watch the Ad Here. 

Washington, DC — Protect Our Care is releasing a new TV ad calling out big insurance companies for their lies about Medicare Advantage. Over the past several weeks, the insurance industry has been running a massive advertising campaign to scare seniors into believing the Biden administration is cutting Medicare. 

In reality, the administration is proposing to increase spending on Medicare Advantage by approximately $4 billion while protecting the program from fraud and abuse by insurance companies. These efforts will improve the quality of Medicare Advantage plans – particularly for underserved populations, strengthen program integrity, and save the Medicare Trust Fund over $15 billion. 

“We must set the record straight for seniors,” said Protect Our Care Leslie Dach. “It is shameful that insurance companies are trying to scare seniors in an effort to protect their sky-high profits. The reality is the Biden administration is working to strengthen Medicare.”

Background:

Medicare Advantage plans are driving insurance industry growth and profits, and insurers are trying to protect their sky-high margins by spreading falsehoods about the administration’s proposed payment update. There is widespread evidence of the insurance industry hurting seniors and padding their sky-high profits through gaming, fraud, and abuse of Medicare Advantage. Voters overwhelmingly support cracking down on Medicare Advantage insurance companies that are gaming the system by making patients appear sicker than they are in order to receive overpayments from the government. See our factsheets for more:

FACT SHEET: Insurers Care More About Big Profits Than Serving Dual-Eligible Seniors

FACT SHEET: Insurance Companies Are Making Billions in Profits on Medicare Advantage 

Ad Script:

We’re hearing a lot from insurance companies about Medicare these days.

What we’re not hearing is the truth.

Insurance companies are lying to America’s seniors about cuts to Medicare Advantage benefits.

Experts agree what they are saying is just plain false.

Health insurance companies are simply trying to stop cuts to their skyhigh profits, CEO salaries and bonuses.

Big surprise, huh?

Call Congress: Tell them it’s time to stop insurance company greed and put America’s seniors and taxpayers first.

Today, Eli Lilly announced that the company would limit the cost of insulin to $35 per month, expanding the Inflation Reduction Act’s cap to everyone. Lowering insulin costs will give millions of families more breathing room — especially rural Americans and people of color who are more likely to suffer from diabetes and struggle to afford their health care costs. Coverage makes clear Eli Lilly’s insulin cap will help millions of patients afford this lifesaving medication and that this is the direct result of President Biden and Congressional Democrats passing the insulin cap for seniors last year. Republicans, on the other hand, fought hard to prevent the insulin cap from taking effect and continue to advocate for repealing it altogether. 

HEADLINES:

NBC News: Drugmaker Eli Lilly Caps The Cost Of Insulin At $35 A Month, Bringing Relief For Millions. “The cap automatically applies to people with private insurance. People without insurance will be eligible as long as they sign up for Eli Lilly’s copay assistance program. That program began providing insulin to patients — regardless of their insurance statuses — for no more than $35 a month in 2020 because of the pandemic. The cap applies to all of Eli Lilly’s insulin products, said Kelly Smith, a spokesperson for the company. In addition to the cost caps, the company will lower the list price for several of its products, including Humalog, this year.” [NBC News, 3/1/23]

The New York Times: Eli Lilly Says It Will Cut The Price Of Insulin. “The drug maker Eli Lilly and Company said on Wednesday that it would significantly reduce the prices of several of its lifesaving insulin products that are used by diabetes patients and whose prices Lilly has repeatedly increased in the past. Lilly also said it would cap at $35 a month what patients pay out of pocket for the drugmaker’s insulin products.” [The New York Times, 3/1/23]

NPR: Eli Lilly Cuts Price Of Insulin, Capping Drugs At $35 Per Month Out-Of-Pocket. “Lilly CEO David Ricks said in a statement that it will take time for insurers and the pharmacy system to implement its price cuts, so the drugmaker will immediately cap monthly out-of-pocket costs at $35 for people who are not covered by Medicare’s prescription drug program. The drugmaker said the cap applies to people with commercial coverage and at most retail pharmacies. Lilly said people without insurance can find savings cards to receive insulin for the same amount at its InsulinAffordability.com website.” [NPR, 3/1/23]

The Washington Post: Eli Lilly To Cut Insulin Prices By 70 Percent. “Eli Lilly said it is slashing the prices of commonly prescribed insulin drugs by 70 percent while capping related out-of-pocket costs at $35 a month, a move meant to help address long-standing concerns about the high cost of diabetes care… Some 7 million Americans require insulin daily. A Yale University study published in July 2022 found that 14 percent of those insulin users are spending at least 40 percent of their income after food and housing costs on the medicine.” [The Washington Post, 3/1/23]

The Wall Street Journal: Eli Lilly To Cut Prices Of Insulin Drugs By 70%, Cap Patient Costs To $35. “The company also said that on May 1 it would reduce the list price of an unbranded insulin it sells to $25 a vial from $82 a vial, the lowest level for any insulin that diabetes patients take around mealtimes, and less than Lilly’s list price for a Humalog vial in 1999. And it plans to improve a program capping patients’ out-of-pocket costs at $35 a month.” [The Wall Street Journal, 3/1/23]

Call Comes After President Biden Delivered a Speech Vowing to Protect Medicaid and the ACA From Latest GOP Attacks

Watch the Full Event Here.

Washington DC — Today Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) joined Protect Our Care to call out Republicans for their efforts to cut Medicaid and dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA). During the call, speakers discussed how the GOP remains committed to ripping away protections for pre-existing conditions, raising premiums, and throwing millions off their coverage. 

The Republican plan would be catastrophic for the American people and disproportionately impact children, rural Americans, people with disabilities, and people of color. People would lose their health insurance and important benefits like preventive services and maternity care, and pay more for prescription drugs and insurance premiums. Read more here. 

“At the beginning of the year, the House Republicans came right out of the gate to give big tax handouts to the wealthy. What a clear statement about their priorities – that is what they wanted to do out of the gate,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR).  “What’s gonna happen if they have their way? We saw it in 2017. They’ll support an America where Medicaid and the ACA no longer exist as we know it. We ought to be taking care of everyone with these vital programs.”

“Republicans are once again holding secret meetings to plot ways to repeal the ACA and make deep cuts to Medicaid. They know it’s deeply unpopular, and that’s why they’re hiding behind closed doors and refusing to publicly release their proposals,” said House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06). “While Republicans may not be ready to unveil their devastating plan to take away Americans’ health care, Democrats are more than ready to make our plans clear. We’re going to fight like hell to lower health care costs and ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care.” 

“Over 27% of Americans are enrolled in the Medicaid program,” said U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29). “That’s 91 million people whose lives are changed for the better, and many of them are in my majority-Latino district, where we have historically seen huge disparities in insurance coverage. Many families in the Northeast San Fernando Valley rely on Medicare and Medicaid to access the care they need. Quality health care is not a luxury or an ‘unnecessary expense’ that we can cut. I’m grateful to be working alongside my colleagues and Protect Our Care to fight for and expand these programs.”

“As a nation, our values are judged by how we help our most vulnerable citizens. Whether our neighbors are struggling financially or growing older in age, these programs have helped millions of Americans live healthy and vibrant lives. We should be protecting and expanding these programs, not undercutting their funding. Medicare and Medicaid have proven to be among the most successful programs in American history and are true pillars of our values,” said U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06). 

“If Republicans get their way, health care costs would go up for 15 million Americans and more than 20 million Americans could lose coverage. The GOP wants to return to a time when insurance companies could charge more or throw you off your coverage if you have a pre-existing condition like asthma, diabetes, or cancer,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Republicans cannot hold our economy and the American people hostage so they can slash vital health care programs. The GOP plan would be disastrous for our country, and especially for rural Americans, children, people with disabilities, and communities of color. Democrats will not rest until Republicans back down from their attacks on Medicaid and the ACA.” 

Yesterday, President Biden delivered a speech in Virginia Beach to call out Republicans for their relentless threats to slash Medicaid and dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For months Republicans have openly stated their goal for their House majority – to gut health care programs rather than make companies and the wealthy pay their fair share. GOP lawmakers are relying on Russ Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under former President Trump, as they draft a right-wing budget proposal to slash vital programs. 

Vought’s plan would drive up costs for almost 15 million Americans and eliminate coverage altogether for more than 20 million people while also removing vital protections for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions. The plan would be catastrophic for the American people and disproportionately impact children, rural Americans, and people of color. People would lose their health insurance and important benefits like preventive services and maternity care, and pay more for prescription drugs and insurance premiums. Headlines make clear President Biden is committed to protecting American families from the latest GOP attacks on health care.

HEADLINES:

The Virginian-Pilot: Biden Speaks On Health Care In Virginia Beach, Slams GOP. “President Joe Biden came to Virginia Beach on Tuesday afternoon, seeking to contrast his health-care proposals with those of congressional Republicans. Biden made his remarks at the Kempsville Recreation Center, in the congressional district now represented by Republican Jen Kiggans. The person Kiggans defeated for that seat, Elaine Luria, was among the attendees. Biden accused Republicans of wanting to lower taxes on large companies and the richest Americans while cutting benefits offers by Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. ‘Make no mistake, MAGA Republicans will try to take away people’s health care by cutting Medicaid and the ACA,’ he said. ‘I will stop them.’ He described MAGA Republicans as ‘a different kind of cat’ compared to other Republicans who are more open to compromise. Biden also said Democrats voted to raise the debt ceiling as the national debt grew from under $20 trillion to $26.9 trillion in the Donald Trump administration. He said his health care reforms would also bring down costs for government, and celebrated the Inflation Reduction Act that allows Medicare Part D to negotiate drug prices which is estimated to save $10 billion over the next decade.” [The Virginian-Pilot, 2/28/23]

AP: Biden Warns of ‘MAGA’ Republicans’ Desire to Cut Spending. “President Joe Biden on Tuesday said GOP lawmakers could put millions of people’s health care at risk, honing his message ahead of the release of his budget plan next week as Republicans push for him to negotiate over spending levels.” [Associated Press, 3/1/23] 

PBS: Biden Warns Of Republicans Putting Affordable Health Care At Risk During Visit To Virginia Beach. “President Joe Biden on Tuesday said GOP lawmakers could put millions of people’s health care at risk, honing his message ahead of the release of his budget plan next week as Republicans push for him to negotiate over spending levels. The Democratic president spoke at a recreation center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. His remarks were part of a broader effort this week to contrast his administration’s priorities with those of Republicans who have yet to spell out their budget cuts. Using past proposals, Biden said the GOP could try to slash Medicaid and Obamacare benefits, as well as Social Security and Medicare. ‘What are they going to cut? That’s the big question,” Biden said Tuesday. “For millions of Americans, health care hangs in the balance.’” [PBS, 2/28/23]

Washington Post: Biden Has A New Health-Care Attack Line. “It’s pretty clear: President Biden believes health care is a potent campaign message. No, he hasn’t yet announced whether he’s running for a second term. But if the past few weeks serve as a preview, then the White House believes portraying Republicans as a threat to Americans’ health care is a political winner. After hammering Republicans on Medicare and Social Security for weeks, Biden pivoted yesterday to framing the GOP as a danger to Medicaid and Obamacare. ‘Look, make no mistake: If MAGA Republicans try to take away people’s health care by gutting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, I will stop them,’ Biden said during a speech in Virginia Beach. When it comes to health care, Democrats have long believed they have the advantage over Republicans, and both Medicaid and Obamacare have proven to be broadly popular. Republicans failed to repeal the law in 2017 after repeatedly pledging to do so. The party ran into resistance for attempting deep cuts to Medicaid, with several GOP governors even up in arms at the proposals, and some health experts have since dubbed the safety net program a ‘potential new third rail’ of American politics.” [The Washington Post, 3/1/23]

USA Today: ‘Health Care Hangs In The Balance’: Biden Expands Attacks On GOP Over Budget Cuts. “After pounding away at Republicans over Social Security and Medicare, President Joe Biden on Tuesday broadened his attack. Biden accused Republicans of wanting to slash two other benefit programs: Obamacare and Medicaid. ‘For millions of Americans, health care hangs in the balance,’ Biden said. ‘If MAGA Republicans try to take away people’s health care by gutting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, I will stop them.’ He made that pledge Tuesday when visiting a crossover congressional district in Virginia that he carried in 2020 but that Republicans flipped in November’s midterm elections. It’s part of the president’s drumbeat of calling on Republicans to lay out how they would reduce the deficit as the president prepares to send his own budget proposal to Congress next week.” [USA Today, 2/28/23]

Daily Mail (UK): ‘Maybe They Found Religion’: Biden Drags Republicans Who Now Say They Don’t Want To Cut Medicare And Social Security And Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene For Calling Him A ‘Liar’. “President Joe Biden told a Virginia Beach crowd that Republicans may have ‘found religion’ by wanting to protect Social Security and Medicare – but accused the GOP on Tuesday of planning cuts on health care for the poor and Obamacare. Biden also tipped his hand on the proposed White House budget that’s expected to be rolled out on March 9th, saying people earning less than $400,000 per year won’t pay ‘a penny’ on tax hikes he’s proposing. He said the budget plan would spell out ‘What we’re going to cut, what we’re going to spend, what we’re going to do. Just lay it on the table.’ After pounding Republicans for weeks over a plan by Florida Sen. Rick Scott to ‘sunset’ federal programs and require renewal votes in Congress, Biden is shifting the terrain to Medicaid. He said Republicans would be pulling out old plans to cut funding in order to meet their budget-cutting demands.” [Daily Mail, 2/28/23]

CNBC: Biden Warns Of GOP Plans To Curb Access To Health Care. “The speech comes a little over a week before the White House is scheduled to present Biden’s fiscal 2024 budget to Congress and as the White House and House Republicans continue to spar over spending cuts and the debt ceiling. Republicans have insisted that Biden cut spending as part of a deal to raise the debt limit — a proposition Biden won’t negotiate. While he agrees that federal spending needs to be curtailed, he’s vehemently opposed to tying it to the debt ceiling. Biden met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the White House earlier this month to discuss the topic, but no agreements were made. Lifting the debt limit does not authorize any new spending; it allows the government to borrow more money to cover existing commitments. And since the federal government consistently spends more than it takes in in tax revenue, lawmakers have to periodically raise the debt ceiling. Failing to lift the debt ceiling could lead to a government default on its debt and halt daily operations, causing potential turmoil to markets and the economy. The Treasury Department already launched a series of extraordinary steps to keep paying the government’s bills, and it expects those measures will be enough to avoid default at least until early June. But if Congress doesn’t raise or suspend the debt limit by then, it could wreak economic havoc around the world.” [CNBC, 2/28/23]

WVBT News: President Biden To Republicans On Healthcare: ‘Lay Proposal On The Table’. “President Joe Biden outlined the tenants of his health care proposal Tuesday during an address which contrasted his plans with that MAGA Republicans who he said would make deep cuts in programs that, in particular, support families and seniors. Biden gave his roughly 30-minute address to a mostly receptive and packed Kempsville Recreation Center gym in Virginia Beach, flying in and out of the city on Air Force One through Naval Air Station Oceana. Biden sought to highlight how the White House believes Congressional Republicans would raise health care costs, including for seniors, while causing millions of people to lose their coverage.” [WVBT News, 2/28/23]

Move Comes as Republicans Are Working to Repeal the Insulin Cap Now Benefiting Seniors

Washington DC — Today, Eli Lilly announced that the company would limit the cost of insulin to $35 per month, expanding the Inflation Reduction Act’s cap to everyone. This move is a game changer for millions of diabetes patients who depend on insulin and the direct result of President Biden and Congressional Democrats having passed the current cap for seniors last year. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“Thank you, President Biden. Eli Lilly’s announcement demonstrates what good policy can do. The Inflation Reduction Act laid the groundwork for Eli Lilly’s announcement by capping insulin costs for America’s seniors. This move will bring relief to even more patients who have struggled to keep up with the outrageous cost of insulin. Let’s be clear: this is the result of President Biden and Democrats in Congress fighting hard for patients. On the other hand, Republicans want to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act’s insulin cap entirely after they blocked legislation last year to extend the cap to everyone. President Biden is fighting to make sure every insulin-dependent diabetic can afford the drugs they need to stay alive; he won’t rest until that is a reality, and neither will we.”