December 2024

Instead of Protecting Health Care for Millions of Americans, Republicans Are Working Overtime to Hand Out More Tax Breaks to Their Wealthy Friends on Wall Street

Over the past few weeks, Democratic lawmakers including Representative Angie Craig (D-MN-02), HHS Regional Directors, and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care to sound the alarm about the urgent need for Congress to stop Republican premium hikes. As open enrollment for  the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is underway, millions of families are saving hundreds of dollars thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits. Last year, 21.4 million Americans enrolled with 4 out of 5 finding a plan for $10 or less per month. During the events, speakers explained what is at risk if Republicans in Congress cut funding and let the ACA tax credits expire at the end of 2025. 

Allowing the tax credits to expire is part of a wider effort to sabotage the Affordable Care Act. Donald Trump and his GOP allies have made clear that ripping away health care for millions of Americans is a top priority for 2025. Recent reporting indicated that Medicaid will be targeted for budget cuts in the coming year while Trump has even put repealing the ACA back on the table. If the enhanced tax credits do expire, 5 million Americans will become uninsured as costs skyrocket for over 20 million more and Republicans will own the premium hikes and coverage losses for middle-class families.

UPCOMING:

ALASKA

WHO:
State Representative Genevieve Mina (D-AK-19)
Stephanie Bergstrom, Lifelong Alaskan enrolled in the Open Market
Amber Lee, Protect Our Care Alaska

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Zoom here [Registration required]

WHEN: Friday, December 20, at 11:30 AM AKST // 3:30 PM ET

PAST: 

CALIFORNIA 

Friday, December 6 — ACA/Medicare Open Enrollment event with San Clemente City Councilmember Chris Duncan and Health Care Advocates: San Clemente City Councilmember Chris Duncan and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care California to highlight the critical benefits that Medicare provides for California seniors as well as the importance of expanding and protecting the ACA, especially as Republicans in Congress want to do away with enhanced premium tax credits. Losing these tax credits will raise premiums and make health care coverage out of reach for too many. “Everyone is affected by higher health care costs,” said San Clemente Councilmember Chris Duncan. “We need to be working to expand Medicare coverage and lower premiums across the board as we move towards making sure every person gets the health care that they need.” You can watch the event here and view the post-event release here.

MAINE

Friday, December 20 – ACA Open Enrollment Event with State Senator Joseph Baldacci and Health Care Advocates: State Senator Joseph Baldacci, State Representative Anne Graham and Kate Ende Policy Director for Consumers for Affordable Health Care will join Protect Our Care Maine to discuss the urgent need for Congress to stop Republican premium hikes. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period runs through January 15, and Mainers will continue to save thousands of dollars on their health care thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. As Congress continues to negotiate a health care package, new reporting indicates that Republicans have rejected Democrats’ proposal to extend the Inflation Reduction Act’s enhanced premium tax credits for one year. Republicans are working overtime to dole out more tax breaks to their wealthy friends on Wall Street. If these tax credits do expire, Republicans will own this premium hike for middle-class families and the coverage losses for millions that come with it.

MICHIGAN

Wednesday, December 11 — ACA Open Enrollment/ePTC Event with HHS Regional Director Michael Cabonargi and Health Care Advocates: HHS Regional Director Michael Cabonargi, senior policy analyst Amber Bellazaire and Ingham County Health Department Program Coordinator Mindy Smith joined Protect Our Care Michigan to highlight the benefits of ACA coverage and discuss what’s at stake for Michiganders if Republicans in Congress follow through with their plans to let enhanced premium tax credits expire at the end of 2025. HHS Regional Director Michael Cabonargi explained the benefits of enrolling in ACA coverage and how Americans can enroll in more expansive and affordable coverage than ever: “During current open enrollment, four in five consumers will be able to enroll in coverage for less than $10 per month, thanks to premium tax credits under the IRA. Right now, more than 14 million Americans save an average of $527 on monthly health insurance premiums thanks to the tax credits. Marketplace health coverage means people can access quality health care when they need it, not just when they can afford it.” You can watch the event here and view the post-event release here. 

• CBS Detroit: Preview: HHS Regional Director to Join POC Michigan for Press Call on ACA and Risks of losing ePTCs (TVeyes clip)
• Michigan Business Network: U.S. DHHS Regional Director Michael Cabonargi, Health Care Advocates Join Protect Our Care Michigan to Discuss ACA Open Enrollment Period

MINNESOTA

Wednesday, December 4th—ACA Open Enrollment Event with Congresswoman Angie Craig, MNsure CEO Libby Caulum and Health Care Advocates: Congresswoman Angie Craig, MNsure CEO Libby Caulum, and local resident Vicky Selin joined Protect Our Care Minnesota to discuss the urgent need for Congress to stop Republican premium hikes. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period runs through January 15, and Minnesotans will continue to save thousands of dollars on their health care thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. “For far too long, Big Pharma’s price hikes and the egregious cost of health care in America has forced Minnesotans to make absolutely gut wrenching decisions about getting the healthcare that they need and deserve to survive and putting food on the table, in the richest country in the world. We should not have to make those decisions, but we’ve made incredible progress,” said U.S. Rep. Angie Craig. “Making these enhanced premium tax credits permanent is critical in our fight for more affordable health care.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.  

• Red Lake Nation News: Congresswoman Angie Craig Joins Protect Our Care Minnesota to Discuss ACA Open Enrollment Period, and What’s At Stake if GOP Raises Costs by Letting Premium Tax Credits Expire
• Star Tribune Editorial: Mad about the price of eggs? Wait ’til you see coming health coverage cost hikes.

NEVADA

Monday, December 9 – ACA Open Enrollment and ePTC Event with HHS Regional Director Jeffrey Reynoso and Health Care Advocates: U.S. HSS Region IX Director Dr. Jeffrey Reynoso, Katie Charleson with Nevada Health Link, For Our Future and Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollee joined Protect Our Care Nevada to discuss the urgent need for Congress to stop Republican premium hikes. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period runs through January 15, and Nevadans will continue to save thousands of dollars on their health care thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. “In 2024 over 99,000 Nevadans selected a plan through Healthcare.Gov,” said Director Reynoso. “I’m proud that health coverage enrollment has remained consistent at or near record levels during the entirety of the Biden Harris administration, a testament to our shared commitment with Nevada Health Link to strengthen and protect access.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

• Public News Service: Nevadans encouraged to look at health care options during open enrollment
• KOLOTV: 97,000 Nevadans sign up for health insurance through Health Link
• FOX5: 97,000 Nevadans sign up for health insurance through Health Link

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Thursday, December 19 – ACA Open Enrollment/ePTC Event with Covering New Hampshire Health Care Advocates: Covering New Hampshire executive director Jayme Simoes and health law professor Lucy Hodder joined Protect Our Care New Hampshire to promote the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period and discuss what’s at stake for Granite Staters if they lose enhanced premium tax credits. “We cannot afford to go backwards any further on health care,” said Jayme Simoes, Covering New Hampshire. “There is just too much at stake. Like anything, health care requires certainty and leadership…With these tax credits, if we take them away, we throw everything into a huge question mark but we also throw people out of the system.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here. 

NEW YORK

Tuesday, December 10 at 10AM ET—ACA Open Enrollment/EPTC Accountability Event with Former HHS Regional Director Dr. Dara Kass: Former Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Dara Kass joined Protect Our Care to promote the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period and discuss the urgent need for Congress to stop Republican premium hikes. The ACA open enrollment period runs through January 15, allowing New Yorkers to continue to save thousands of dollars on healthcare through enhanced premium tax credits provided by the Inflation Reduction Act. As Congress continues to negotiate a health care package, new reporting indicates that Republicans have rejected Democrats’ proposal to extend the Inflation Reduction Act’s enhanced premium tax credits for one year. Republicans are working overtime to dole out more tax breaks to their wealthy friends on Wall Street. If these tax credits do expire, Republicans will own this premium hike for middle-class families and the coverage losses for millions that come with it. “Over a decade ago, the passage of the ACA was a transformative step in providing millions of Americans with affordable, accessible, and effective health insurance,” said Dara Kass, former Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). “Affordability is achieved when premiums are set at levels families can realistically afford. Democrats have fought tirelessly to ensure that tax credits under the ACA and IRA continue to benefit countless New York families. However, if these provisions expire, an estimated 32,000 New Yorkers could see their premiums skyrocket, and 4,000 may lose their insurance entirely. We must do everything in our power to pressure Republicans in Congress and hold them accountable to the constituents whose coverage is at stake.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

WEST VIRGINIA

Monday, Tuesday 6 — Charleston Gazette-Mail Op-Ed by Ellen Allen on Dangers of ACA Rollbacks and Losing ePTCs: Protect Our Care West Virginia placed an opinion piece in the Charleston Gazette-Mail by West Virginians for Affordable Health Care executive director Ellen Allen on the significant impacts that the ACA has provided for West Virginians and consequences that would come if its benefits were taken away. Allen warns of what might happen to West Virginians if Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (ePTCs) and Medicaid are no longer available: “It’s no secret that West Virginia is in perennial competition for the worst health outcomes in the nation. Stripping away the health care of 217,000 West Virginians will only set us back even further, making the long sought after generational advances in health improvements — especially in infant and maternal health — elusive.” You can read the full op-ed here. 

Thursday, December 12 — ACA Open Enrollment/ePTC Event with West Virginians for Affordable Health Care and Health Care Advocates: West Virginians for Affordable Health Care executive director Ellen Allen and storytellers Jesica Ice and Rusty Williams joined Protect Our Care West Virginia to discuss the urgent need for Congress to stop Republican premium hikes. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period runs through January 15, and West Virginians will continue to save thousands of dollars on their health care thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. “What’s truly frustrating is that instead of prioritizing the needs of hardworking families, many Republican leaders continue to block action on this critical issue,” said Jessica Ice, consumer health storyteller. “They seem content to let these tax credits expire while pushing tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and corporations, including drug and insurance companies.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here. 

Recent news coverage and opinion pieces from across the country make clear that RFK Jr. and his radical agenda are dangerous for American health care. He doesn’t have the experience and skills to run major health care programs like Medicare and Medicaid that over 125 million Americans rely on for their health care. By opposing life-saving vaccines and pledging to stop funding research for cures and treatments, he will put the health of every American at risk. He embraces fringe ideas and promotes conspiracies, ignoring already settled science and experts. It was recently revealed RFK Jr.’s lawyer petitioned the FDA to revoke the polio vaccine. At his very core, RFK Jr. is anti-thetical to keeping Americans healthy. 

HEADLINES

The Washington Post: RFK Jr. Tries to Build Momentum for HHS Candidacy on Capitol Hill

• Leslie Dach, founder of Protect Our Care, a left-leaning advocacy group fighting Kennedy’s selection for HHS, said he isn’t impressed by Kennedy’s early meetings with GOP senators. “He purposely picked the easy ones who will give him momentum,” Dach said. “The senators that matter, he hasn’t seen. … Just looking at public remarks, you can see enough votes to defeat him,” Dach said. “This is a fight we can win.”

The New Republic: RFK Jr.’s Cabinet Nomination Is Already Flopping

• He’ll also have to convince lawmakers that his agenda, which opposes vaccine mandates for school-aged children and includes appointing someone who has filed a petition with the FDA to end the approval and “pause distribution” of 13 vaccines, isn’t at odds with the future of America’s health.

New York Times: What Kennedy Has Said About the Polio Vaccine in Recent Years

• But a New York Times review of Mr. Kennedy’s public comments over the past several years shows that he has consistently expressed views about the polio vaccine that are at odds with the medical consensus. For example, he has suggested that after the vaccine was first introduced, it might have caused a wave of cancers “that killed many, many, many, many, many more people than polio ever did.” And he has said the idea that the vaccine resulted in a drastic decline in polio cases is “a mythology” that is “just not true.”

OPINION

Press Herald: Opinion: Why RFK Jr. Must Not Become HHS Secretary.
By Donna A. Gaffney, psychotherapist, and Teri Mills, retired adult nurse practitioner.

• Despite his unfounded beliefs, Kennedy is out of step with the majority of Americans who know that vaccination is a crucial tool in controlling the spread of a virus and protecting public health. The Pew Research Center found in 2023 that 88% of Americans say the benefits of childhood vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) outweigh the risks, compared with just 10% who say the risks outweigh the benefits.

Los Angeles Times: Column: The Latest Evidence That Putting RFK Jr. In Charge of Public Health Would Be a Disaster.
By Robin Abcarian, LA Times Columnist. 

• Last week, the New York Times reported that in 2022, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s attorney and close advisor Aaron Siri had petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to revoke approval of the polio vaccine in use for the last three decades until its safety can be studied further against an unvaccinated control group. Kennedy, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services secretary, is a longtime vaccine skeptic who spouts nonsense about the safety and efficacy of vaccines and a lot of other things. He is, in the view of many medical professionals, a danger to public health.

The Nation: RFK Jr. Is Giving Infectious Diseases a Promotional Tour
By Gregg Gonsalves, codirector of the Global Health Justice Partnership and associate professor of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health.

• RFK Jr. has bragged that he’d tell researchers at the National Institutes of Health to give “infectious disease a break for about eight years.” Well, he isn’t giving infectious disease a break but leading its promotional tour. If this man gets what he wants, old scourges will be back with a vengeance. And those years, like those of my father’s childhood, filled with the terror of deadly diseases, the suffering and upheaval of sickness and death visited upon families, the lingering effects down the generations, will be here again.

Greenfield Reporter: My Turn: Just Say No to Polio and RFK Jr.
By Roxann Wedegartner, former mayor of Greenfield, MA.

• For me, the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services is one of the worst, because of, among other reasons, his stance on vaccinations — in particular, a petition to the FDA by Kennedy’s lawyer, Aaron Siri, to revoke approval of the polio vaccine.

Kansas City Star: Opinion: RFK Jr.’s Anti-vax Views Haven’t Changed Since He Spoke in Kansas Last Year
By Yvette Walker, The Kansas City Star’s opinion editor and leader of its editorial board.

• It’s hard to say which Trump nominee will have the toughest battle for confirmation, because most of his choices are staggering. But I can say with confidence that Kennedy could do the most damage if he runs roughshod through the health policies and safeguards our country relies on. For example, CBS News reported that Trump planned to speak with him about ending childhood vaccine programs.

Los Angeles Times: Opinion: My Son Has Autism. His Life Tells a Story RFK Jr. Ignores
By Susan Hall, writer in Michigan. 

• With his inaccurate stance that vaccines should be avoided to prevent autism, Kennedy suggests that chancing severe childhood diseases would be preferable to a life like my son’s. Diagnosed at age 1 with a rare seizure disorder that stalled his cognitive development, and later with intellectual disability and autism, my son today is a smart, charming 25-year-old with a great sense of humor. He’s exploding with independence and has cultivated passions of his own: lawn mowing and country music, to start with.

NJ.com: Opinion: RFK Jr. Is Here to Stuff Your Stocking
By Drew Sheneman, cartoonist. 

• In the short time since he was named as Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to remove fluoride from the drinking water and announced his intention to repeal approval of the polio vaccine. Neither of these actions seem to to be conducive to health or humans, so maybe RFK Jr. and his brain worm aren’t the best choice to lead an agency devoted to the promotion and welfare of both.

Allowing the Inflation Reduction Act’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits to Expire Will Result in 5 Million Losing Insurance and Premium Hikes for 20 Million Americans

Washington D.C. — Yesterday, Congressional leaders released the text of their short-term spending bill. After weeks of negotiations, Republicans refused to extend the health care enhanced premium tax credits for one year. These tax credits, which lowered the cost of health care for millions of people purchasing coverage on their own, are set to expire at the end of 2025. If Congress fails to act, an estimated 5 million Americans would become uninsured and costs would skyrocket for millions more. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“Republicans have made clear that they support premium hikes for 20 million Americans. They are more focused on delivering tax breaks to their wealthy friends than keeping health care affordable for their constituents. Republicans will force middle-class families to spend up to 90 percent more for their health insurance. As a result, health care costs will skyrocket for small business owners, people living in rural areas, farmers, people with pre-existing conditions, and older adults. If Republicans let these tax credits expire, the GOP will own this premium hike for middle-class families and the coverage losses for millions that come with it.” 

Protect Our Care Launches Mobile Billboard in Washington D.C.

Watch the Mobile Billboard Here.

Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, December 17, a mobile billboard will circle Capitol Hill, calling on senators to oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This week, Protect Our Care’s “Stop RFK War Room” is running a multi-media campaign to educate people on why RFK Jr. is unfit for the job and the insurmountable damage he could do if confirmed. Yesterday, the “Stop RFK War Room” released 18 billboards in seven states as well as paid digital ads that will continue to run in key states and Washington, D.C. The campaign comes as RFK Jr. is set to meet with at least 20 Republicans as part of the confirmation process. 

The “Stop RFK War Room” is focusing its events and activities on the following Senators: Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Mike Rounds (R-SD), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Jim Justice (R-WV).

“We are working to make sure everyone on Capital Hill understands the catastrophic consequences of this nomination that will touch nearly every household in the nation.” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “RFK Jr.’s focus will be pushing radical policies that put millions at risk. He believes no vaccine is safe or effective and has pledged to stop funding research for treatments and cures to deadly diseases. His beliefs could lead to a deadly resurgence of preventable childhood illnesses like polio and measles. RFK Jr. won’t follow the science or trust the experts – he embraces fringe ideas and promotes conspiracies. That’s the last thing we need in charge of America’s health care.”

Mobile Billboard Script:

Narrator: Robert F Kennedy Jr. is no health care leader. He’s a threat to your family’s health. RFK Jr. spreads deadly lies about vaccines, calling them unsafe and ineffective. His conspiracy theories fueled a measles outbreak in Samoa, killing 83 people, mostly babies and toddlers.

CNN Clip: RFK went and rallied that country against vaccinations. It resulted in the deaths of 83 innocent children. 

Narrator: Now he’s been nominated to oversee America’s health care system – Medicare, Medicaid, vaccines, research. The health of every American is at stake. 

RFK Jr.: There’s no vaccine that is, you know, safe and effective. 

Narrator: He’d defund life-saving research and drug development, gut the FDA, let diseases like polio and measles resurge. This isn’t leadership. It’s a death sentence. Tell your Senators: reject RFK Jr. He’s not just unfit, he’s dangerous.

RFK Jr. Has Said He Believes “There’s No Vaccine That Is Safe and Effective”

SHOT: RFK Jr. Claims He’s “All For The Polio Vaccine” After Decades Of Work Undermining Vaccine Access. “RFK Jr., Trump’s pick for HHS, arrives at Capitol Hill to meet with Senators and gain their support. As he made his way to Sen. Rick Scott’s office he was asked about the polio vaccine and he mumbled ‘I’m all for the polio vaccine.’” [Cristina Corujo (CBS News), X, 12/16/24]

CHASER: RFK Jr. Spread Conspiracy Theories That The Polio Vaccine “Cause[d] More Death Than It Avert[ed].” During a July 2023 interview with Lex Fridman, when asked about the polio vaccine, Kennedy launched into a conspiracy-laden tirade: “Well, here’s the problem. Here’s the problem. Yeah, here’s the problem. The polio vaccine contained a virus called simian virus 40. SV40. It’s one of the most carcinogenic materials that is known to man. In fact, it’s used now by scientists around the world to induce tumors and rats and Guinea pigs in labs. But it was in that vaccine, 98 million people who got that vaccine. And my generation got it. And now you’ve had this explosion of soft tissue cancers in our generation that killed many, many, many more people than polio ever did. […] If you say to me, ‘Did it cause more death than it averted?’ I would say, ‘I don’t know, because we don’t have the data on that.” Kennedy’s organization, Children’s Health Defense, also spread false reports calling into question the safety and necessity of polio vaccinations during a 2022 resurgence in the virus.

LIME: RFK Jr.’s Lawyer Petitioned the FDA To Revoke The Polio Vaccine. “The concerns have amped up in recent days following a report that an ally of Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. filed a citizen petition in 2022 to revoke the approval of polio vaccines for infants and children. Attorney Aaron Siri has also joined Kennedy in questioning and choosing candidates for top health positions, the New York Times reported, citing an unnamed source who witnessed the interactions.” [Axios, 12/16/24]