November 2023

North Carolina Becomes the 40th State to Expand Medicaid, Extending Affordable Health Care to 600,000 North Carolinians 

Washington DC — Tomorrow, North Carolina’s long-awaited Medicaid expansion program will take effect, extending affordable health care to an estimated 600,000 people. The news comes as Donald Trump renewed calls to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — including Medicaid expansion — and rip coverage and core protections away from millions of Americans. 

Prior to this year, North Carolina was just one of 11 states that refused Medicaid expansion as a result of years of Republican obstruction. Democratic Governor Roy Cooper has fought tirelessly for expansion, making it one of his central priorities since taking office in 2017. In addition to securing coverage for those who need it, this measure will strengthen the economy, boost support for rural hospitals and other safety net providers, and relieve hardships for families living in poverty. Medicaid expansion will especially help low-income workers, moms and children, people with disabilities, and Black, Brown, Indigenous, and rural residents.

In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“Governor Cooper, Democratic lawmakers, and advocates fought tirelessly for North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion for years — and now, people can begin enrolling in quality health care. This is a victory for the 600,000 individuals and their families who will now have access to lifesaving care and a victory for all North Carolinians, who will see stronger hospitals, a better economy, and healthier communities. While it is a time to celebrate, we cannot lose sight of Donald Trump and MAGA-Republicans in Washington who want to rip all of this away by repealing the ACA and slashing Medicaid. As more and more people benefit from affordable health care under the ACA, it’s unbelievable that anyone would want to go backward.” 

Background

More North Carolinians’ Lives Will Be Saved. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Medicaid expansion saved the lives of 19,200 older adults aged 55 to 64 between 2014 and 2017. A study published in the Journal of Health Economics found that Medicaid expansion reduced mortality in non-elderly adults by nearly four percent. Medicaid expansion will insure over 365,000 North Carolinians, saving them millions of dollars and increasing access to quality and affordable health care.

North Carolinians Will Receive Expanded Services. Medicaid expansion in other states has helped patients access preventive care, including colon cancer screenings. Expansion has also increased patient access to kidney transplants and made diabetes medication more affordable for low-income patients. The program has also been tied to earlier diagnoses of colorectal cancer and reducing diabetes-related amputations.

North Carolina Will See Reduced Racial Disparities in Health Care. The ACA has led to historic reductions in racial disparities in access to health care, but racial gaps in insurance coverage have narrowed the most in states that adopted Medicaid expansion. States that expanded their Medicaid programs have seen a 51 percent reduction in the gap between uninsured white and Black adults after expansion, and a 45 percent reduction in the gap between white and Hispanic adults. There is evidence already that North Carolina’s adoption of Medicaid Expansion will not just follow these trends, but secondarily increase economic activity throughout the state and reduce economic inequities as well.

North Carolina’s 4.6 Million Rural Residents Will Secure Better Care. The uninsured rate for low-income adults dropped from 35 percent to 16 percent in rural areas and small towns in states that expanded Medicaid. Investigations into North Carolina have found areas in the western part of the state will see uninsurance rates drop by over 8 percent, with that number being even higher for those without a high school education. Research also confirms that rural hospitals in Medicaid expansion states are 62 percent less likely to close, and 75 percent of vulnerable rural hospitals are in non-expansion states. 

North Carolina Hospitals Will Receive Nearly $2.6 Billion To Support Access To Care For Low-Income Residents. By expanding Medicaid, 102 hospitals across North Carolina will receive nearly $2.6 billion in funds made available through the Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program. This funding will serve as a critical safety net supporting access to care for low-income North Carolinians seeking emergency care.

Last night, Donald Trump doubled down on his call to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), saying it would be “a priority of the Trump administration.” This comes after a barrage of negative press for his call to “terminate” the ACA. In total, if the ACA were “terminated,” 20 million Americans would lose coverage and 15 million would see higher health care costs.

More people are relying on the ACA than ever before, with President Biden and Democrats in Congress lowering costs and making enrollment easier. The Trump-MAGA agenda of repealing the ACA is rejected by the American people, costing Republicans at the ballot box repeatedly, and unpopular among voters of all parties. 

FEATURED

Biden-Harris HQ: “This is what will happen if Trump gets his wish to repeal the Affordable Care Act.”

 [X, @BidenHQ, 11/28/23]

President Barack Obama: “The stakes could not be clearer.”

[Threads, @BarackObama, 11/28/23]

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY): “House Democrats will never let right-wing extremists destroy the Affordable Care Act.” [X, @RepJeffries, 11/28/23]

Speaker Emerita Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11): “Trump wants to “terminate” the Affordable Care Act — but we are NOT going back to the bad old days of greedy insurance companies denying health care for patients with pre-existing medical conditions. Democratic women, we need you to know your power and show your power in 2024!” [X, @TeamPelosi, 11/28/23]

HEADLINES:

Axios: GOP Cautiously Open to Trump’s Push for ACA Repeal. “Two top Senate Republicans signaled they could be open to a revived effort. ‘I think Obamacare has been one of the biggest deceptions on the American people,’ said Sen. John Cornyn. ‘I mean just look at your health care premiums.’ But he added he would ‘be interested to hear exactly how he [Trump] would try to accomplish it.’ Sen. Mike Crapo, in line to be Finance Committee chairman in a GOP Senate, said he’s still open to proposals similar to the 2017 repeal and replace bills.” [Axios Pro, 11/29/23]

The Hill: GOP Members Have Largely Conceded That an Obamacare Fight Is a Losing Issue. “Republicans don’t have a plan to replace ObamaCare. When Trump was president and Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress, they tried and failed to repeal the law. Three GOP-led attempts to repeal the law through the courts have also failed, including one backed by Trump in 2020. Since then, GOP members have largely conceded that an ObamaCare fight is a losing issue.” [The Hill, 11/27/23]

MSNBC: On ACA’s Future, Trump Isn’t Done Doing Democrats a Big Favor. “Trump’s talk about creating one of the world’s best health care systems certainly sounds nice, though the rhetoric is belied by the fact that he’s literally spent years assuring Americans that he was poised to unveil an amazing plan that would vastly improve upon the Affordable Care Act. The Republican has never followed through on the rhetoric, however, because he has no such plan — and he never will.” [MSNBC, 11/29/23]

Politico Florida Playbook: Trump’s Gift to Florida Democrats. “Congressional Republicans failed to undo Obamacare under Trump, largely because they couldn’t agree on a replacement. Since then, Democrats have used Obamacare as an effective rallying cry to win elections by focusing on the popular parts of the law that would go away under GOP repeal, such as how it forbids insurers from turning away or out-pricing sicker customers.” [Politico, 11/29/23]

USA Today: ‘Furious and Frightened’: Gen Z Voters Say Trump Is ‘Failing’ Them on Health Care. “The comments have raised concerns among young voters who are worried about the popular Obamacare provision that guarantees young adults receive health insurance coverage under their parents’ plans until age 26. … Health care ranks as a top concern for voters in their teens and twenties, according to recent polling. Jack Lobel, national press secretary for Voters of Tomorrow, said the issue spans the political spectrum. ” [USA Today, 11/29/23]

Miami Herald: Opinion: Trump Attacks Obamacare Again, but Floridians Have Embraced It. He Should Back Off. “Is Trump asking for a do-over? He might first want to take a good look around him. In his home state of Florida, Obamacare is more popular than ever. A record 3.2 million people in Florida obtained health insurance under the Affordable Care Act — aka Obamacare — early this year, a 19% increase over the previous year. Nationwide, that number reached 15.7 million.” [Miami Herald, 11/29/23]

OTHER MEDIA:

The Message Box Newsletter: ​​A Second Trump Term Would Be Very Bad! “Over the holiday, Trump took to Truth Social to announce that repealing the Affordable Care Act would be a priority in his return to the White House. While Trump failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act in his first term, there is ample reason to believe he could easily succeed in his second. John McCain, who famously saved the ACA with his thumbs down, is gone. The party as a whole has moved to the Right.” [The Message Box, 11/29/23]

What A Day Podcast: “Yet another wild stance to have to be like let’s take away this thing that gives 40 million people health care – something that is objectively good. But it all fits in the puzzle of the Republican platform … Republicans have been coy when asked about Trump’s comments saying that they don’t know what he is talking about and of course, this is all tied to Republicans’ failed attempt to repeal the ACA back in 2017 … If it wasn’t already clear, people, if he wins in 2024, Trump is going to not only continue to push to take away critical policies like the Affordable Care Act and punish his political opponents, but he’s gonna reignite that dumpster fire of harm that, you know, he started back in 2016.” [Crooked Media, 11/29/23]

SOCIAL MEDIA:

President Pro Tempore Senator Patty Murray (D-WA): “The leader of the Republican party wants to rip coverage away from 40 million Americans, ending pre-existing protections for over 100 million, and sending costs skyrocketing. While the GOP fights to repeal the ACA, Democrats will work to protect health care and lower costs.” [X, @PattyMurray, 11/27/23]

Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Conference Elizabeth Warren (D-MA): “Donald Trump failed to repeal Obamacare, but he’s once again threatening to rip away health care from millions of Americans. It’s dangerous & must be rejected. How do we lower health costs? By taking on giant corporations who rig the system —exactly what the Biden admin’s doing.” [X, @SenWarren, 11/27/23]

Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Conference Mark Warner (D-VA): “Quick reminder… terminating the ACA would mean 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions would lose protections. 21 million folks served by Medicaid expansion (including in Virginia) could lose coverage. This is a deeply serious threat to make.” [X, @MarkWarner, 11/27/23]

Secretary of the Senate Democratic Conference Tammy Baldwin (D-WI): “I’ve taken on this fight before and I’ll do it again. Ripping away coverage from tens of millions of Americans and gutting protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions is just wrong.” [X, @SenatorBaldwin, 11/28/23]

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA): “40 million Americans rely on the Affordable Care Act to receive affordable health care. What’s the Republican plan? Take it away.” [X, @WhipKClark, 11/28/23]

House Energy & Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ): “Trump is saying the quiet part out loud – Republicans are still determined to repeal the ACA and take health care away from millions of people. Democrats are fighting hard to protect American’s health care, and we will continue to do so.” [X, @FrankPallone, 11/28/23]

Washington, D.C. — Last night, Donald Trump doubled down on his call to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), saying it would be “a priority of the Trump administration.” This comes after a barrage of negative press for his call to “terminate” the ACA. Repealing the ACA means ripping away protections for the over 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, hiking premium costs for millions of working families, and allowing insurance companies to deny basic care like hospital visits and prescription drugs.

In total, if the ACA were “terminated,” 20 million Americans would lose coverage and 15 million would see higher health care costs. At a time when more people are covered by the ACA than ever before, the consequences would be devastating, particularly for people of color, older adults, rural populations, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQI+ community. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“Donald Trump only has one plan for American health care – repeal and destroy. Trump and MAGA Republicans won’t stop until millions are left without coverage, 135 million people with pre-existing conditions are no longer protected, and drug and insurance companies are back in charge. More people are relying on the ACA than ever before, and millions are finding coverage for $10 or less thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress. Yet Trump wants to turn back the clock to the days when insurance prices were sky-high and people could be thrown off their coverage at the whim of insurance companies. Trump cannot run from the truth: his only plan is to repeal American health care. The American people refuse to go back.” 

Background

If the Affordable Care Act is repealed:

• GONE: Protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, including 54 million people with a pre-existing condition that would make them completely uninsurable.
• GONE: Medicaid expansion, which covers more than 21 million people. 
• GONE: 49 million seniors will have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare ‘donut hole’ will be reopened.
• GONE: 2.3 million adult children will no longer be able to stay on their parents’ insurance. 
• GONE: Insurance companies will be able to charge women more than men.
• GONE: Premium tax credits that help 80 percent of people who purchase health care on the marketplace.
• GONE: Key support for rural hospitals. 
• GONE: Ban on insurance companies having lifetime caps on coverage.
• GONE: Requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care.
• GONE: 61.5 million Medicare beneficiaries will face higher costs and disruptions to their medical care. 

Read more:
Report: The MAGA Republican War on American Health Care
Fact Sheet: The GOP’s Threat To The ACA Is As Real As Ever
Fact Sheet: Trump Vows to “Never Give Up” MAGA-Republican Efforts to Repeal the Affordable Care Act, Ripping Health Care Away From Millions

Terminating the ACA Would Raise Costs, End Protection for Pre-Existing Conditions, and Rip Coverage Away From Millions

Watch the Full Event Here.

Washington, DC — Today, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Representative Colin Allred (D-TX-32) joined Protect Our Care to discuss how the ongoing Republican mission to “terminate” the Affordable Care Act (ACA) jeopardizes the health and well-being of millions of people across the nation. Over the weekend, Donald Trump renewed calls to repeal the ACA, claiming his administration’s failure to repeal the law was “a low point” and telling the GOP to “never give up” trying. His comments reflect the actions of other MAGA-Republican lawmakers who are continually working to decimate the ACA and Medicaid, raise prescription drug costs for seniors, and put drug and insurance companies back in charge at the expense of American families.

Repealing the ACA means ripping away protections for the over 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, hiking premium costs for millions of working families, and allowing insurance companies to deny basic care like hospital visits and prescription drugs. In total, 20 million Americans would lose coverage and 15 million would see higher health care costs. Read more here.

“Donald Trump is talking about turning back the clock to the days when consumers faced discrimination at the hands of insurance companies; we’re talking about moving forward,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR). “Thanks to President Biden and Democrats, Americans now know what it’s like to have affordable health care and if Donald Trump wants to take it away, he better understand he has got a whale of a fight on his hands. As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I will pull out all the stops to make sure that this Trump proposal goes nowhere because it’s a loser for the American people.”

“On my first day in Congress, I introduced a resolution to defend the Affordable Care Act from the Trump Administration’s reckless lawsuit that would have stripped health care away from millions of Americans,” said Representative Colin Allred (D-TX-32). “Nearly five years later, these same folks are threatening to get rid of this program which provides critical protections for the nearly 4.8 million Texans who have a pre-existing condition. I will never stop working to protect and strengthen the Affordable Care Act and to make health care more accessible and affordable for every Texan.”

“The Affordable Care Act saved my life,” said Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate. “Six years ago I walked into a doctor’s office with a nagging cough and walked out with a stage four cancer diagnosis. Thankfully, I had good insurance through the Affordable Care Act that was able to pay for the six months of chemotherapy and month of radiation treatments it took for me to be here. The day after my first chemotherapy appointment, while I was on the couch trying to survive, Republicans in the U.S. House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act that was keeping me alive and then held a party to celebrate. We can’t go back to that.”

“Trump is back at it again, threatening the health and well-being of millions across the nation,” said Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care. “We have seen record low uninsured numbers, and now 80% of people can get coverage through the ACA for under $10 — all thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress. Yet Republicans refuse to give up on their war on health care to hike costs, rip away protections, and put insurance companies back in charge. Despite overwhelming support for the ACA from the American people, Trump and MAGA-Republican lawmakers can’t quit their ‘repeal’ agenda.”

Over the weekend, Donald Trump renewed calls to “terminate” the Affordable Care Act (ACA), claiming his administration’s failure to repeal the ACA was “a low point for the Republican party.” The news comes as the ACA covers more Americans than ever before, with President Biden and Democrats in Congress lowering costs and making enrollment easier. The Trump-MAGA agenda of repealing the ACA is rejected by the American people, costing Republicans at the ballot box repeatedly, and unpopular among voters of all parties. 

IN THE NEWS:

The New York Times: Biden Campaign Aims to Weaponize Trump’s Threat to Obamacare. “Very few events bring aides on President Biden’s re-election campaign more joy than when former President Donald J. Trump threatens to repeal popular Democratic policies… Mr. Biden’s aides intend to once again push to make Mr. Trump and his proposals the news. ” [The New York Times, 11/27/23]

The Washington Post: Opinion: Efforts to Kill Obamacare Made it Popular. Trump Says He’ll Try Again. “Most Republican politicians have now figured out that talking about health care is a political liability, so they’ve shut up about it… Trump hasn’t gotten the message, though. Over the weekend, he declared on social media that the failure to terminate Obamacare during his presidency… If you’re wondering who is actually trying to fix such problems, though, don’t look to Republican politicians, who remain reluctant to talk about health care even when directly asked… Instead, look to President Biden, who’s implemented a bunch of little-noticed, technical measures to improve Americans’ access to care and lower their costs.” [The Washington Post, 11/28/23]

Huffpost: It Looks Like Donald Trump Still Wants To Repeal Obamacare. “Donald Trump says he is still interested in repealing the Affordable Care Act, which means health care for tens of millions of people would be in jeopardy if he becomes president again next year… Republicans, for their part, have grown relatively quiet on the topic. That may have something to do with polls showing the law to be relatively popular, as well as memories of just how much the last repeal effort alienated voters.” [Huffpost, 11/27/23]

New York Magazine: Why A Second Trump Presidency Might Try Again To Repeal Obamacare. “Under current conditions, if Republicans want to cut taxes, they would likely cause interest rates to spike, bringing immediate economic pain. They will have to cut spending if they want to cut taxes. Social spending, especially the kind that benefits the poor and the sick, is their least favorite kind of spending. The Republican Party’s traditional Reaganite wing has never accepted Obamacare specifically or the principle that people have a right to medical care generally. So while Republican elites are deeply divided over Donald Trump’s personal behavior, they are largely united in their antipathy to the Affordable Care Act. Obamacare is popular, and cutting it would risk another white-hot political backlash.” [New York Magazine, 11/27/23]

Axios: Trump Says He’s “Seriously Looking” At Obamacare Alternatives. “Former President Trump revealed that he’s “seriously looking at alternatives” to the Affordable Care Act, calling the failure to repeal and replace Obamacare during his administration “a low point for the Republican Party…” Despite having full control of the White House and Congress, Republicans’ long-running efforts to repeal and replace the ACA were defeated in 2017 when Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) delivered his famous thumbs-down vote on the Senate floor.” [Axios, 11/27/23]

Axios: Trump’s Obamacare Gift. “Christmas has come early for Democratic campaign staffers, courtesy of former President Trump’s vow over the holiday weekend to “never give up” on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Democrats are eager to revive their health care playbook from 2018, when the party rode a “blue wave” to the House majority by aggressively campaigning on Republican attempts to gut Obamacare… Nearly 60% of Americans had a favorable view of the ACA as of May 2023, with support steadily rising from 50% at the start of the pandemic, according to KFF tracking surveys.” [Axios, 11/27/23]

NBC News: Trump Revives Push To Eliminate Obamacare, Sparking Biden Campaign Blowback. “Republican presidential primary front-runner Donald Trump revived calls to roll back Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act, if he returns to the White House… After trying and failing to repeal the ACA, and suffering for it at the ballot box, Republican candidates abandoned their calls for eliminating the law in the 2022 midterm elections, recognizing the push as a political loser. But Trump could bring it back in 2024… While unpopular when it first passed, the law has enjoyed higher public support since its most popular provisions took effect…” [NBC News, 11/27/23]

The Washington Post: Trump Wants A Do-Over On Repealing Obamacare. That Seems Unwise. “After years of Republicans effectively giving up on their long-stated goal of repealing Obamacare, Trump signaled it’s back on the table — and even a priority for him… But what’s clear is that an effort to “terminate” Obamacare is not something Americans are pining for. Not only were the GOP’s efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare during Trump’s term historically unpopular, but the law also appears to have gotten more popular since then. Perhaps most strikingly, this doesn’t even appear to be a major emphasis for the GOP base.” [The Washington Post, 11/27/23]

The Washington Post: Opinion: Here’s Why Trump Should Stop Trying To Repeal Obamacare. “Trump didn’t have to make Obamacare an issue again. It was the pre-Trump Republican Party that turned opposition to it into a cause… 13 years after Obama signed his health-care policies into law, and after multiple important revisions to them, considering Obamacare in isolation from the rest of the health-care system makes no sense. It will make even less sense in 2025, when Trump will take office again if he wins the election.” [The Washington Post, 11/27/23]

The Washington Times: Trump Says GOP Cannot Give Up On Repealing Obamacare. “Mr. Trump, writing on his social media platform, said “the cost of Obamacare is out of control, plus, it’s not good Healthcare.” “I’m seriously looking at alternatives,” he wrote over the weekend… It’s unclear whether there is much appetite among Republicans for revisiting health care. The law and its benefits are deeply entrenched… More than 18 million additional persons are eligible for Medicaid insurance because of Obamacare, and more and more red states are opting to accept generous federal funding that made Medicaid expansion possible.” [The Washington Times, 11/27/23]

The Hill: Trump Claims He Is ‘Seriously’ Looking At Obamacare Alternatives. “Trump reinjecting life into the health care debate could backfire for Republicans, who have largely given up campaigning against ObamaCare, an acknowledgment that health care is a losing issue for them… “40 million people – more than 1 in 10 Americans – have health insurance today because of the Affordable Care Act and Donald Trump just said he would try to rip it away if he returns to power. He was one vote away from getting it done when he was president – and we should take him at his word that he’ll try to do it again,” Moussa said in a statement.” [The Hill, 11/27/23] 

MSNBC: Why Trump’s New Offensive Against The Affordable Care Act Matters. “Trump is inviting a political fight he’s very likely to lose. Semafor reported overnight that President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign “is eagerly planning to make the Affordable Care Act a bigger issue” in response to Trump’s missive… Ahead of his 2016 election, Trump assured voters he’d replace the Affordable Care Act with “something terrific,” but he refused to provide any details. In the years that followed, the Republican continued to assure the public he and his team would unveil an amazing health care plan that would offer more coverage at a lower cost. It’s a promise that always went unmet.” [MSNBC, 11/27/23]

Politico: Senate Republicans Shrug Off Trump’s Latest Bid To Scrap Obamacare. “Republicans still say they dislike Obamacare and want to bring health care costs down. But as far as scrapping the law? “I don’t see that as being the rallying cry. I really don’t,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said… Indeed, many Republicans said if their party can reclaim the White House as well as Senate majority in 2025, they will probably try to take some action on health insurance costs, drug prices and transparency. But as far as ripping up Obamacare, as the GOP once vowed to do? Well, that ship has sailed.” [Politico, 11/27/23]

Newsweek: Donald Trump’s Obamacare Attack Could Backfire Spectacularly. “59 percent of U.S. adults have a favorable opinion about the policy when it is described as the “Affordable Care Act or Obamacare,” while 40 percent view the act unfavorably, which suggests Trump may fail to drum up support by attacking it. KFF data also shows the proportion of people enrolled in the ACA is high in key battleground states like Georgia and North Carolina. Differing stances on Obamacare could swing voters in the 2024 election… “The former president seems to have warped himself into a time machine back to 2012 where that was a smart Republican talking point. No longer.”” [Newsweek, 11/28/23]

Semafor: Trump Says He Still Wants To Repeal Obamacare. GOP Senators Say Not So Fast. “Republican Senators are reacting cautiously after Donald Trump said over the weekend that he might try to repeal the Affordable Care Act if he returns to the White House, with some suggesting another push to fully scrap the health law was unlikely… it’s unclear how much appetite exists among Republicans to try and fulfill a campaign promise that animated their party a decade ago. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, a Trump ally in the Senate, said key planks of Obamacare are “broadly popular” with the American public including Republicans, such as rules barring insurers from denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions or charging sick people more for healthcare.” [Semafor, 11/27/23]

Seniors and hardworking families are paying too much for prescription drugs – more than any other country in the world – and it’s forcing them to choose between their medication and food for their families. But, that’s changing. 

Medicare plans for 2024 will include new benefits and lower costs for seniors because of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, including free vaccinations for illnesses like shingles and the flu, a $35 monthly cap on insulin costs, protections from outrageous price hikes, and a new annual cap of approximately $3,300 on out-of-pocket expenses for drugs.

Starting in 2025, Medicare beneficiaries will also see lower drug costs across the board thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s new $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap on drug costs. Soon, seniors will save even more thanks to Medicare negotiation.  

FAST FACTS:

• 49 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries will have out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs capped at approximately $3,300 per year in 2024 and $2,000 per year beginning in 2025. More than 1.4 million Medicare enrollees paid more than $2,000 in out-of-pocket costs in 2020.
• 3.5 million seniors struggle to afford their medication, forcing them to skip or ration doses.
• In 2024, 400,000 low-income seniors will receive more help affording prescription drugs through the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy Program.
• In 2025, nearly 19 million Medicare enrollees will save an average of about $400 per year on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. Enrollees with the highest drug costs will save an average of $2,500 per year. 

Capping Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Seniors. Seniors with serious conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis will save thousands of dollars on prescriptions under the Inflation Reduction Act. More than 1.4 million Medicare enrollees paid more than $2,000 in out-of-pocket costs in 2020. The Inflation Reduction Act also allows out-of-pocket spending to be smoothed over the course of the year beginning in 2025, so patients are not forced to pay the entirety of their out-of-pocket cost all at one time.

Helping Millions Of Seniors Who Can’t Afford Their Prescriptions. The Inflation Reduction Act will help 3.5 million older Americans who have trouble affording their medication. Over the decade from 2009 to 2019, out-of-pocket spending for older Amerians rose by 41 percent. Seniors often have to sacrifice basic needs such as food or clothing to be able to afford their prescriptions due to rising costs. 

Republicans Voted Against Lower Drug Prices For Millions of Americans. Every Republican in Congress voted against the Inflation Reduction Act effectively taking money out of the pockets of seniors and putting it in Big Pharma’s. Since its passage, Republicans in Congress have repeatedly introduced legislation to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act’s health care provisions, which would increase health care costs for millions. If the history of efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act is any indication, the Republican party will continue to attempt to block life-saving programs, preventing Americans from getting quality and affordable health care. 

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 AT 4:00 PM ET***

Washington, DC — On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 4:00 PM ET, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Representative Colin Allred (TX-32) will join Protect Our Care to discuss how Donald Trump’s mission to “terminate” the Affordable Care Act (ACA) jeopardizes the health and well-being of millions of people across the nation. Over the weekend, Donald Trump renewed calls to repeal the ACA, claiming his administration’s failure to repeal the ACA was “a low point for the Republican party.” His comments echo the words of other MAGA-Republican lawmakers who are actively working to slash the ACA and Medicaid, raise prescription drug costs for seniors, and put drug and insurance companies back in charge at the expense of American families.

Repealing the ACA means ripping away protections for the over 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, hiking premium costs for millions of working families, and allowing insurance companies to deny basic care like hospital visits and prescription drugs. In total, 20 million Americans would lose coverage and 15 million would see higher health care costs. Read more here. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR)
U.S. Representative Colin Allred (TX-32)
Laura Packard,  storyteller
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference 

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 4:00 PM ET

Over the weekend, Donald Trump renewed calls to “terminate” the Affordable Care Act (ACA), claiming his administration’s failure to repeal the ACA was “a low point for the Republican party.” Repealing the ACA would rip coverage from 20 million Americans and raise premiums for nearly 15 million more. The GOP repeal scheme would also rip away protections for the over 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions and put insurance companies back in charge, allowing them to deny basic care like hospital visits and prescription drugs. Despite overwhelming support for the ACA from the American people, including record enrollment and consistent support across parties, MAGA-Republican lawmakers can’t quit their “repeal” agenda. 

If the Affordable Care Act is repealed:

• GONE: Protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, including 54 million people with a pre-existing condition that would make them completely uninsurable.
• GONE: Medicaid expansion, which covers more than 21 million people. 
• GONE: 49 million seniors will have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare ‘donut hole’ will be reopened.
• GONE: 2.3 million adult children will no longer be able to stay on their parents’ insurance. 
• GONE: Insurance companies will be able to charge women more than men.
• GONE: Premium tax credits that help 80 percent of people who purchase health care on the marketplace.
• GONE: Key support for rural hospitals. 
• GONE: Ban on insurance companies having lifetime caps on coverage.
• GONE: Requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care.
• GONE: 61.5 million Medicare beneficiaries will face higher costs and disruptions to their medical care. 

Republican Threats Could Lead To More Than 35 Million People Losing Their Coverage

• 35 Million People Would Lose Coverage. If Republicans succeed in repealing the ACA, 35 million people will lose coverage obtained through the marketplaces. This would raise the uninsured rate to nearly 19 percent.
• The Uninsured Rate Would Increase By 69 Percent. Repealing the ACA would increase the number of uninsured Americans from 26.6 million to 61.6 million, according to 2020 data. Americans of all ages would be impacted by coverage losses:
• 1.7 million children would become uninsured, an increase of 48 percent.
• 4.9 million young adults aged 19 to 26 would become uninsured, an increase of 76 percent. 
• 8.8 million adults aged 27 to 49 would become uninsured, an increase of 60 percent.  
• 5.6 million million older adults aged 50 to 64 would become uninsured, an increase of 95 percent. 

Overturning The ACA Would Exacerbate Racial Disparities In Coverage

The uninsured rate for Black Americans would spike to 20 percent, 32 percent for American Indian/Alaska Natives, 17 percent for Asian/Pacific Islanders, and 33 percent for Hispanics — compared to 13 percent for white Americans. 

• 3.1 Million Black Americans Would Lose Coverage. The Urban Institute estimates that 3.1 million Black Americans would become uninsured if the ACA were overturned. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the ACA helped lower the uninsured rate for nonelderly African Americans by more than one-third between 2013 and 2016 from 18.9 percent to 11.7 percent. 
• 5.4 Million Latinos Would Lose Coverage. The percentage of people gaining health insurance under the ACA was higher for Latinos than for any other racial or ethnic group in the country. According to a study from Families USA, 5.4 million Latinos would lose coverage if Republicans repeal the ACA.
• 1.3 Million Asian/Pacific Islanders Would Lose Coverage. 1.3 million Asian/Pacific islanders would become uninsured if the ACA were overturned, according to estimates from the Urban Institute. Research shows the ACA cut uninsurance rates among Asian Americans by more than half–from nearly 20 percent to just under 8 percent — eliminating coverage disparities with white Americans.
• 488,000 American Indians And Alaska Natives Would Lose Coverage. According to the Urban Institute, the uninsurance rate for American Indians and Alaska Natives would more than double in 10 states if the ACA is overturned. Nationwide, 488,000 would lose coverage. 

Republicans Want To Put Insurance Companies Back In Charge, Ending Protections For The 135 Million People With A Pre-Existing Condition

• According to a recent analysis by the Center for American Progress, roughly half of nonelderly Americans, or as many as 135 million people, have a pre-existing condition. This includes:
  • 44 million people who have high blood pressure
  • 45 million people who have behavioral health disorders
  • 44 million people who have high cholesterol
  • 34 million people who have asthma and chronic lung disease
  • 34 million people who have osteoarthritis and other joint disorders
• More than 17 million children, 68 million women, and 32 million people aged 55-64 have a pre-existing condition.

Republicans Want To Give Insurance Companies The Power To Deny Or Drop Coverage Because Of A Pre-Existing Condition

Before the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies routinely denied people coverage because of a pre-existing condition or canceled coverage when a person got sick. Now insurance companies could have the license to do this again. 

• A 2010 congressional report found that the top four health insurance companies denied coverage to one in seven consumers on the individual market over a three-year period. 
• A 2009 congressional report found that some of the largest insurance companies had retroactively canceled coverage for 20,000 people over the previous five-year period.
• The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that 54 million people, or 27% of adults aged 18 to 64, have a condition that would have been grounds for coverage denial in the pre-ACA marketplace. 

Coronavirus Could Be Considered A Pre-Existing Condition. Without the ACA, millions of Americans who have contracted the coronavirus would likely be deemed as having a pre-existing condition and be at the mercy of their insurance companies who could refuse to pay for needed care.

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, 2016; 2019

Republicans Want To Give Insurance Companies The Power To Charge You More, While Their Profits Soar

• Premium Surcharges Could Once Again Be In The Six Figures. Republican threats to repeal the ACA could mean insurance companies once again could charge people more because of a pre-existing condition. The 2017 House-passed repeal bill had a similar provision, and an analysis by the Center for American Progress found that insurers could charge up to $4,270 more for asthma, $17,060 more for pregnancy, $26,180 more for rheumatoid arthritis and $140,510 more for metastatic cancer.
• Women Could Be Charged More Than Men For The Same Coverage. Prior to the ACA, women were often charged higher premiums on the nongroup market than men were charged for the same coverage. 
• People Over The Age of 50 Would Face A $4,000 “Age Tax.” Without the ACA, insurance companies could charge people over 50 more than younger people. The Affordable Care Act limited the amount older people could be charged to three times more than younger people. If insurers were to charge five times more, as was proposed in the 2017 Republican repeal bill, that would add an average “age tax” of $4,124 for a 60-year-old in the individual market, according to AARP.
• 80 Percent of People With Marketplace Coverage Would Pay More. If the ACA is repealed, consumers would no longer have access to tax credits that help them pay their marketplace premiums, meaning 80 percent of people who have marketplace coverage would see price increases.
• Seniors Would Have To Pay More For Prescription Drugs. Republicans’ plan to repeal the ACA, would make 49 million seniors pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare “donut” hole would be reopened. 
• 60 Million Medicare Beneficiaries Could Face Higher Costs. In addition to paying more for preventive care and prescription drugs, Medicare beneficiaries could face higher premiums without the cost-saving measures implemented under the ACA. If Republicans are successful, seniors would also face less coordinated care. 
• Insurance Companies Would Not Have To Provide The Coverage You Need. The Affordable Care Act made comprehensive coverage more available by requiring insurance companies to include “essential health benefits” in their plans, such as maternity care, hospitalization, substance abuse care, and prescription drug coverage. Before the ACA, people had to pay extra for separate coverage for these benefits. For example, in 2013, 75 percent of non-group plans did not cover maternity care, 45 percent did not cover substance abuse disorder services, and 38 percent did not cover mental health services. Six percent did not even cover generic drugs.

Republicans Want To Give Insurance Companies The Power To Limit The Care You Get, Even If You Have Insurance Through Your Employer

• Insurers Could Reinstate Lifetime And Annual Limits On 179 Million Privately Insured Americans. Repealing the Affordable Care Act means insurance companies would be able to impose annual and lifetime limits on coverage for those insured through their employer or on the individual market. In 2009, nearly 6 in 10 (59%) covered workers’ employer-sponsored health plans had a lifetime limit, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. 
• Americans Could Once Again Have To Pay For Preventive Care. Because of the ACA, health plans must cover preventive services — like flu shots, cancer screenings, contraception, and mammograms – at no cost to consumers.
• Employers Could Eliminate Out-Of-Pocket Caps, Forcing Employees To Pay More For Care. Under the ACA, health insurers and employer group plans must cap the amount enrollees pay for health care each year. If the law is overturned, these cost-sharing protections would be eliminated. The ACA also barred employer plans from imposing waiting periods for benefits that last longer than three months.

Republicans Want To End Medicaid Expansion

• More Than 21 Million People Enrolled Through Medicaid Expansion Would Lose Coverage. As of 2022, more than 21 million people were enrolled in Medicaid in over 40 states and territories.
• Access To Treatment Would Be In Jeopardy For 800,000 People With Opioid Use Disorder. Roughly four in 10, or 800,000 people with an opioid use disorder are enrolled in Medicaid. Many became eligible through Medicaid expansion.
• Key Support For Rural Hospitals Would Disappear. States that haven’t expanded Medicaid have poorer financial performance than states that have expanded Medicaid. If Medicaid provisions in the ACA were to be stripped, all rural hospitals would face this financial cliff.

Republicans Are Willing To Sacrifice Your Care For More Tax Cuts For The Wealthy

• The Richest Americans Would See Tax Cuts Averaging $200,000. Overturning the ACA would cut taxes for the top 0.1 percent of earners by an average of $198,000.
• Drug Companies Would Save Billions. If the ACA is struck down, pharmaceutical companies would pay $2.8 billion less in taxes each year.
• Repeal Would Weaken The Medicare Trust Fund. A significant portion of the tax cuts resulting from ACA repeal would come “at the direct expense of the Medicare Trust Fund,” according to the Center on Budget and Policy priorities.

Washington, D.C. — Over the weekend, Donald Trump renewed calls to “terminate” the Affordable Care Act (ACA), calling his administration failure to repeal the ACA “a low point for the Republican party.” Repealing the ACA means ripping away protections for the over 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, hiking premium costs for millions of working families, and putting insurance companies back in charge, allowing them to deny basic care like hospital visits and prescription drugs. As a result, tens of millions would lose coverage.

At a time when more people are covered by the ACA than ever before, the consequences would be devastating, particularly for people of color, older adults, rural populations, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQI+ community. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“The Republicans’ war on health care is alive and well. Trump is vowing to repeal the ACA at the same time a record number are signing up and benefiting from lower costs thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress. Trump and MAGA Republicans will stop at nothing to raise health costs and eliminate critical protections. Republicans are not only working to repeal the ACA, but they want to slash Medicare and Medicaid, raise drug prices for seniors, and rip away all of the new benefits under the Inflation Reduction Act. If Republicans get their way, 135 million people with pre-existing conditions will lose protection and millions will lose coverage altogether. Some things never change: Republicans continue to put profits over the well-being of hardworking people across our country.” 

Background

If the Affordable Care Act is repealed:

• GONE: Protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, including 54 million people with a pre-existing condition that would make them completely uninsurable.
• GONE: Medicaid expansion, which covers more than 21 million people. 
• GONE: 49 million seniors will have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare ‘donut hole’ will be reopened.
• GONE: 2.3 million adult children will no longer be able to stay on their parents’ insurance. 
• GONE: Insurance companies will be able to charge women more than men.
• GONE: Premium tax credits that help 80 percent of people who purchase health care on the marketplace.
• GONE: Key support for rural hospitals. 
• GONE: Ban on insurance companies having lifetime caps on coverage.
• GONE: Requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care.
• GONE: 61.5 million Medicare beneficiaries will face higher costs and disruptions to their medical care. 

Read more:
Report: The MAGA Republican War on American Health Care
Fact Sheet: The GOP’s Threat To The ACA Is As Real As Ever

Read the Full Report Here.

Washington, DC — Protect Our Care is releasing a new report detailing pharmaceutical companies’ sky-high revenues as they continue charging unaffordable prices to patients. In total, the 16 top companies reported $176.7 billion in total global revenue for the third quarter, and have rewarded shareholders by announcing dividend payments and stock buybacks totalling $26.8 billion. According to the report, the same big drug companies that are trying to block Medicare negotiation in court had more than $100 billion in revenue in Q3 alone.

Passed last year by President Biden and Democrats in Congress, the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program will finally give Medicare the authority to negotiate lower prices, making prescription drugs more affordable for millions of seniors. Big drug companies are talking in court about all the harm they will suffer from negotiations, but they’re telling investors the opposite and spending billions on rewarding their investors through stock buybacks and dividends, paying their executives millions, and spending millions lobbying to keep their prices high. 

Key Points:

• We followed the Q3 2023 earnings reports of 16 drug companies.
• These 16 companies reported $176.7 billion in total global revenue for the third quarter, and have announced dividend payments and stock buybacks totalling $26.8 billion. 
• The eight publicly traded drug makers of the first ten drugs selected for negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act brought in more than $100 billion in the third quarter alone, and a total of $285 billion in the first nine months of 2023.
• These eight drug companies have rewarded shareholders with nearly $20 billion in stock buybacks to date in 2023.
• Contrary to their fearmongering to lawmakers and patients about diminished incentives to invest in innovation,  top drug companies bragged to Wall Street about their investment in new, innovative drugs.
  

“Drug companies’ greed knows no bounds,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Our nation’s seniors depend on the savings from the Inflation Reduction Act so they don’t have to choose between filling their prescription and filling their refrigerator. Make no mistake: big drug companies are only trying to roll back the law to protect their outrageous profits.”