2024

Representatives Gwen Moore, Adriano Espaillat, Hillary Scholten, HHS Regional Directors Michael Cabonargi, Melissa Herd, Antrell Tyson, Local Leaders, and Health Care Advocates Headline Events Across the Nation.

This April was the seventh annual Medicaid Awareness Month. Protect Our Care hosted nationwide events to recognize the crucial role Medicaid plays in Americans’ health care and highlight how recent Republican attacks come at a time when more Americans than ever before are relying on the program. Over 85 million Americans are enrolled in Medicaid, which provides affordable care to people from all backgrounds, especially people with disabilities, people with mental health and substance use disorders, children, pregnant women, seniors in nursing homes, rural Americans, and people of color. But Republicans haven’t stopped their attacks. The latest GOP budget proposal slashes trillions from Medicaid through block grants, calls for work reporting requirements, and other bureaucratic measures designed to throw people off their coverage. GOP leaders in 10 states have failed to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), blocking 1.6 million people from lifesaving coverage. Medicaid has strengthened local economies, provided Americans with access to quality, affordable health care, and improved health outcomes across the country.

Throughout the month, Protect Our Care also released a series of fact sheets on how Medicaid is a lifeline for women and children, communities of color, rural Americans, seniors, and people with disabilities.  Watch Protect Our Care’s new video with U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) here.

NATIONAL

Monday, April 1 –  Protect Our Care released a new national report detailing Republican plans to slash Medicaid and rip coverage away from millions of Americans. While Medicaid Awareness Month is a celebration of how this vital health care program has touched millions of families across the nation, it is also an important reminder that Medicaid remains under attack by Republicans. Read the full report here.

Tuesday, April 9 – Protect Our Care released a new video in celebration of the seventh annual Medicaid Awareness Month this April. One in four Americans rely on Medicaid for access to health care. Medicaid coverage saves lives and improves health outcomes nationwide, serving people from all backgrounds, including children, mothers, people of color, working families, people with disabilities, rural Americans, and seniors. Watch the video here. 

ARIZONA

Wednesday, April 17 – Medicaid Awareness Month Virtual Event with Leading Arizona Health Care Experts: Arizona health care advocates from Children’s Action Alliance, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, Valle del Sol Community Health Center, Chicanos Por La Causa joined Protect Our Care Arizona to discuss the importance of Medicaid and how expanding the program has benefited Arizonans of all ages. “The Affordable Care Act expansion of Medicaid to lower-income adults is preventing thousands of premature deaths for adults aged 55 to 64,” said Claudia Boyer, Director of Resource Navigation Systems for Chicanos Por La Causa.  “Together AHCCCS and Kids Care are responsible for record-high rates of health insurance for kids nationally and in Arizona. They help protect families from medical debt, give them peace of mind, and allow their kids to grow up healthy and succeed in life,” said Matt Jewett, Health Policy Director for Children’s Action Alliance. You can watch the event here and view the post-event release here.

CALIFORNIA

Thursday, May 2 — Medicaid Awareness Month Virtual Event with Los Angeles County Medical Association and California Health Care Advocates: Los Angeles County AMA President Dr. Jerry Abraham and President of the Long Beach Gray Panthers Karen Reside joined Protect Our Care California to highlight the vital role the Medicaid program serves in providing affordable health care coverage and access to services for Californians. “Over a third of our state benefits from Medicaid and as a result many lives have been saved under this program,” said Los Angeles County AMA President Dr. Jerry Abraham. “We know access to care is critical to living our best lives. At this time, Republican leaders are attacking a lifeline to our community and we’re not going to let that happen – we’re going to continue fighting to protect our care.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here. 

GEORGIA

Wednesday, May 1 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with HHS Regional Director Antrell Tyson and Georgia Health Care Advocates: Antrell Tyson, US Health and Human Services Regional Director for Region 4, Yolanda Pickstock, an Atlanta-based healthcare advocate with Georgia Stand-Up and Glenda Battle, a retired nurse from Leesburg, joined Protect Our Care Georgia to mark the seventh annual Medicaid Awareness Month and call on Republicans to expand Medicaid and provide coverage to the thousands of Georgians who currently live in the coverage gap and cannot access care. Speakers also highlighted the vital role that Medicaid expansion would serve in providing health care coverage and access to services for Georgians with disabilities, people with mental health and substance use disorders, children, pregnant women, seniors in nursing homes, rural families, and people of color. “Enrollment in Medicaid has increased by 52 percent nationally since 2013. Unfortunately, this figure doesn’t include as many Georgians as it could have. Without Medicaid expansion, Georgia ranks 48th out of 50 states for coverage rates. An estimated 431,000 Georgians could benefit from the affordable healthcare that Medicaid expansion would provide if the state expanded,” said Antrell Tyson, US Health and Human Services Regional Director for Region 4. You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

MICHIGAN

Thursday, May 2 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Congresswoman Hillary Scholten, DHHS Regional Director Michael Cabonargi, and Advocates: U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten and U.S Department of Health and Human Services Regional Director Michael Cabonargi joined Protect Our Care Michigan to highlight the vital role the Medicaid program serves in providing affordable health care coverage and access to services for Michiganders. “The importance of Medicaid continuation is critical to everyone whether they live in the urban core in Grand Rapids or the rural parts of Ottawa and Muskegon counties stretching between the lake shore and the city,” said U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten. “When people are healthy they are more able to work, care for their families and live successful and prosperous lives. When they are healthy, our communities are healthy.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

PENNSYLVANIA

Thursday, April 25 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with HHS Regional Director Melissa Herd, Pennsylvania HHS Secretary Val Arkoosh, and Advocates: HHS Regional Director Melissa Herd, Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Devon Trolley, Executive Director of Pennie and Antoinette Kraus, of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network will join Protect Our Care Pennsylvania to highlight the vital role the Medicaid program serves in providing affordable health care coverage and access to services for Pennsylvanians. “Medicaid serves as a crucial safety net, offering vital assistance to families facing the greatest need,”  said HHS Regional Director Melissa Herd. “The Biden-Harris Administration is firmly committed to preserving Medicaid coverage for eligible individuals.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

Coverage:

• WTXF: Department of human services officials join protect our care to emphasize the importance of affordable health care coverage

NORTH CAROLINA

Thursday, April 25 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with North Carolina Senator Gladys Robinson, Rep. Sarah Crawford, and North Carolina HHS Secretary Kody Kinsley: North Carolina DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley, State Senator Gladys Robinson, and State Representative Sarah Crawford will join Protect Our Care North Carolina to highlight the vital role the Medicaid program serves in providing affordable health care coverage and access to services for North Carolinians. “When the legislature was considering Medicaid Expansion, some were saying that even if we passed the legislation, it would take a long time to actually get all the people eligible enrolled in Medicaid,” said Rep. Sarah Crawford (NC-66). “I am here to tell you that North Carolina has had one of the most successful rollouts in the country – maybe the most successful rollout. Since December 1, because of the great work of Governor Cooper, DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley, and our county offices, more than 400,000 people have already been enrolled in Medicaid, with the majority of those ages 19-39 who would have otherwise not had health coverage.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

NEVADA

Thursday, April 18 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and Advocates: Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and Holly Welborn, Executive Director of Children Advocacy Alliance joined Protect Our Care Nevada to highlight the vital role the Medicaid program serves in providing affordable health care coverage and access to services for Nevadans. One in four Americans relies on Medicaid for access to health care, and the program serves people from all backgrounds, including children, mothers, people of color, people with disabilities, working families, rural Americans, and seniors. “Medicaid covers more than 40% of births in the United States. “Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, states were given the option to extend coverage to new mothers for one year postpartum, which improves maternal health outcomes,” said Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizarro. “In Nevada, I made that permanent by sponsoring and passing Senate Bill 232. New mothers in Nevada went from having 2 months of postpartum coverage to 12 months.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

Coverage:

• KTVN (CBS): NV Dems Highlight Medicaid Impact on Statewide Healthcare Reform
• KTVN (CBS): Democratic leaders join Protect Our Care to discuss providing health coverage to low income families

Friday, April 26 – Reno Gazette Journal Op-Ed by State Representative Michelle Gorelow on Protecting Medicaid: Protect Our Care Nevada placed an opinion piece in Reno Gazette Journal by State Representative Michelle Gorelow. In the piece, Gorelow highlights the importance of protecting Medicaid from Republican threats. Gorelow writes, “High-quality and affordable health care should be treated as a right, not a privilege, for everyone in America. Yet Republicans are waging war on our health care by seeking broad and devastating cuts to Medicaid that would raise costs and rip away coverage from millions of Americans, including numerous women and children in Nevada.” You can read the full op-ed here.

NEW YORK

Tuesday, April 30 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Dr. Dara Kass, and New York Health Care Advocates: New York Congressional Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), former HHS Regional Director Dr. Dara Kass, and representatives from 1199SEIU and Metro NY Healthcare for All joined Protect Our Care New York for a virtual press conference to highlight the vital role the Medicaid program serves in providing affordable health care coverage and access to services for New Yorkers. “National politics set the stage for New York’s healthcare system, especially when it comes to Medicaid,” said Dr. Dara Kass, former HHS Director. “New York takes every opportunity to expand care and make Medicaid accessible and affordable for those who need it most. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Democrats in Congress have worked with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on life-saving expansions, including lowering Medicaid’s income eligibility threshold. That’s all on the line if former President Trump is re-elected and empowered by a Republican Congress to remove these expansions, threatening access to affordable, quality care.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

Coverage:

• NY1 Noticias: ‘Necesitamos más doctores que acepten el Medicaid’: representante de servicios comunitarios

Friday, April 26 – Long Island Herald Op-Ed by Health Care Advocate Joseph Sackman on Protecting Medicaid: Protect Our Care New York placed an opinion piece in The Long Island Herald by local health care advocate Joseph Sackman. In the piece, Sackman calls out Rep. Anthony D’Esposito for his part in the Republican threats against Medicaid. Sackman writes, “While Medicaid provides financial security and access to health care to more New Yorkers than ever before, Republicans in Congress, including Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, are threatening Medicaid by pushing for devastating cuts to key federal programs. Earlier in his tenure, D’Esposito claimed to support fully funding critical lifeline programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He has gone back on this promise time and time again, however, including supporting a provision that would slash nearly all government funding by 30 percent. Long Island families are already grappling with financial hardships, including difficulties affording mortgages, utilities and groceries. Cutting funding to critical safety-net programs like Medicaid would directly harm hard-working families who are just trying to find health care for their loved ones and make ends meet.” You can read the full op-ed here.

OHIO

Tuesday, April 30 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Maumee City Councilmember Scott Noonan and Local Health Care Advocates: Northwest Ohio leaders and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care Ohio to highlight the vital role the Medicaid program serves in providing affordable health care coverage and access to services for Ohioans. “There have been constant attacks on Medicaid by Republicans – and it is very troubling,” said Maumee City Councilmember Scott Noonan. “On the local level, as a City of Maumee council member, I am especially concerned about what cuts to the program would mean to the 12% of people with substance abuse issues who are on Medicaid. We have several health centers here for people struggling with substance abuse, and Medicaid cuts could lead to very serious problems when it comes to helping these individuals and could lead to more opioid overdoses. As a disability rights advocate, the attacks on Medicaid are also jarring because about 15% of people who use the program are people with disabilities.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

VIRGINIA

Friday, April 26 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Delegates Sickles, Srinivasan, and Willett and Advocates: House Health and Human Services Chair Mark Sickles, Chair of the Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care Rodney Willett and former Chair of the State Board of Medical Assistance Services Delegate Kannan Srinivasan joined advocates, storytellers, and Protect Our Care Virginia for a virtual press conference celebrating the sixth anniversary of Medicaid expansion and the seventh annual Medicaid 

Awareness Month. “Forty-five percent of the health coverage in small towns and rural areas comes from Medicaid right now. So it’s a huge percentage of folks being cared for,” said Delegate Rodney Willett. “Medicare is helping to close this health care disparity gap that we have. Medicaid expansion cut the uninsurance rates in those areas by more than 50 percent. It really is enabling so many Virginians who otherwise would not get health insurance to get that.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

Coverage:

• VPM: Delegate Srinivasan discussed Medicaid’s expansion in Virginia
• BlueVirginia: Delegates Join Advocates and Protect Our Care Virginia to Celebrate Sixth Anniversary of Medicaid Expansion and Its Impact on Rural Virginia

WISCONSIN

Tuesday, April 30 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Representative Gwen Moore, State Representative Robyn Vining, and Advocates: Representative Gwen Moore and State Representative Robyn Vining joined advocates and Protect Our Care Wisconsin for a virtual press conference to mark the seventh annual Medicaid Awareness Month and call on Republicans to expand Medicaid and provide coverage to the thousands of Wisconsinites who currently live in the coverage gap and cannot access care. “Everybody knows somebody who needs Medicaid, and it is a disgrace that Wisconsin is one of just ten states that has not expanded Medicaid,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore. “When Wisconsin first rejected Medicaid expansion the state budget took a $250 million hit, now that’s up to $1.6 billion – monies that Wisconsin is leaving on the table because of (Republicans) partisan refusal to expand Medicaid.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

Coverage:

• Wisconsin Examiner: Wisconsin lawmakers call for expanded Medicaid coverage for new mothers

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, MAY 2, AT 9:30 AM ET***

Protect Our Care is Highlighting Medicaid’s Critical Role in America and Making Clear the Dire Consequences of Potential Cuts to Medicaid Funding   

Lansing, Michigan — On Thursday, May 2, at 9:30 AM, U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) and U.S Department of Health and Human Services Regional Director Michael Cabonargi will join Protect Our Care Michigan to highlight the vital role the Medicaid program serves in providing affordable health care coverage and access to services for Michiganders. One in four Americans relies on Medicaid for access to health care, and the program serves people from all backgrounds, including children, mothers, people of color, people with disabilities, working families, rural Americans, and seniors.

In April, we wrapped the seventh annual Medicaid Awareness Month. Speakers will discuss what President Biden and Democrats in Congress have done to strengthen Medicaid in the face of ongoing attacks from Republicans who want to severely cut funding for the program and limit access to care. 

Democrats have created incentives for states to expand Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act, stopped onerous work requirements, pushed for expanded postpartum coverage, and worked to minimize the impacts of Medicaid unwinding. Meanwhile, Republicans have proposed slashing trillions of dollars from Medicaid through capping federal funding and other draconian measures designed to reduce the number of Medicaid beneficiaries through bureaucratic tripwires that kick them off the program. If Republicans get their way and repeal Medicaid expansion, about 1 million Michiganders’ coverage will be at risk. When it comes to health care, the contrast between Democrats and Republicans health care agenda couldn’t be clearer.

WHO:
U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03)
U.S. DHHS Regional Director Michael Cabonargi
Ashlea Phenicie, Chief Advocacy Officer, Planned Parenthood of Michigan
Chloe Bayer, Benefits Specialist, Disability Advocates of Kent County.
Kristen Kelling, Kent County resident living with a disability

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHEN: Thursday, May 2, at 9:30 AM ET 

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

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May is Older Americans Month, and Protect Our Care is highlighting how new policies have lowered health care costs for seniors. Specifically, President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act is helping older Americans get lifesaving care while giving them breathing room to pay for other essentials. In addition to lowering health care premiums through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces, the Inflation Reduction Act has capped insulin costs at $35 per month, made essential vaccinations free, and penalized big drug companies for raising prices faster than inflation. Soon, people on Medicare will pay no more than $2,000 a year on prescription drugs, and they will be able to take advantage of savings under Medicare negotiation. Together, these provisions are saving seniors thousands of dollars on their health care. 

President Biden and Democrats in Congress have also worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen Medicaid. Medicaid remains a critical source of coverage as Americans age, serving as a primary funder for long-term care and filling many of the gaps in Medicare coverage, such as premium costs, transportation to medical appointments, and medical equipment. 18.2 million Americans aged 50 and up rely on Medicaid coverage. Without Medicaid, millions of seniors would be forced to go without lifesaving care. 

All of this progress is under attack by Republicans. Every single Senate and House Republican voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, and they are still fighting to keep prescription drug costs high. By fighting to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, Republicans are working with big drug companies and turning their backs on the American people — despite the law’s vast support from voters of all parties. Republican lawmakers are also working to slash trillions from Medicaid, which would throw millions of people off their coverage through block granting and burdensome work reporting requirements. Republican efforts to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act and cut Medicaid funding puts millions of older Americans’ health in jeopardy.

By the Numbers: The State of Health Care for Older Adults Across America 

Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act

• Insulin is capped at $35 per month. 4 million Americans on Medicare who use insulin are now charged no more than $35 per month for an insulin prescription.
• People on Medicare can get recommended vaccines for free. 50.5 million Medicare beneficiaries are able to receive the shingles vaccination and other recommended vaccinations free of cost.
• Drug companies are penalized for outrageous price hikes. Seniors on Medicare will be protected from drug company price hikes thanks to increased inflation rebates.
• Medicare is negotiating lower drug prices. Nearly 9 million people take the first ten drugs that were selected for Medicare negotiation. These drugs account for 20 percent of the annual Medicare Part D spending. Negotiated prices will take effect in 2026.
• More seniors can access affordable medications. 400,000 low-income seniors will receive more help affording prescription drugs through the Medicare Part D Extra Help program.
• Drug costs will be capped at $2,000 for everyone on Medicare. In 2025, out-of-pocket costs in Medicare Part D will be capped at $2,000, saving nearly 19 million Americans an average of $400 each year. This year, drug total out-of-pocket costs are capped at $3,250. These caps especially help people with serious conditions like cancer, diabetes, and arthritis. 

Medicare Negotiation For Lower Drug Prices. Right now, the Biden administration is implementing the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, which is supported by over 80 percent of Americans — the most popular provision in the Inflation Reduction Act. In August 2023, the first round of high-cost drugs that will be negotiated was announced: Eliquis, Jardiance, Xarelto, Januvia, Farxiga, Entresto, Enbrel, Imbruvica, Stelara, and Fiasp/ NovoLog. These high-cost drugs treat conditions like cancer, diabetes, and blood clots. The first ten drugs selected for negotiation are taken by nearly 9 million people on Medicare, who spent $3.4 billion in out-of-pocket costs last year alone. The negotiated prices will be effective starting in 2026. 

Lower Insulin Costs For Seniors. The Inflation Reduction Act is helping insulin-dependent seniors afford and take their medication as prescribed. In 2020, there were more than 3.2 million insulin users with Medicare. On average, seniors with Medicare Part D or B who are not receiving subsidies pay an average of $572 every year for this life-saving medication — an unthinkable sum for many on fixed incomes. Patients who suffer chronic complications can expect to pay upwards of an additional $650 per year. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, insulin copays for people on Medicare are capped at $35 per prescription each month. A recent study showed that 1.5 million people on Medicare would have saved an average of $500 in 2020 from the $35 insulin copay cap. People have also been more likely to fill their prescriptions since the implementation of the insulin copay cap. 

Protections From Price Hikes For Seniors. The Inflation Reduction Act penalized drug companies for raising drug prices faster than the rate of inflation starting at the beginning of 2023. An analysis by KFF showed that half of all drugs covered by Medicare had list price increases exceeding the rate of inflation in 2020. For example, Humira, a medication commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, is one of the nation’s highest revenue-generating drugs, raking in $21 billion in sales in 2019. AbbVie, Humira’s manufacturer, has hiked the price of Humira 27 times, including in January 2021 when it raised its cost by 7.4 percent. Over the past 20 years, price increases for brand-name drugs in Medicare Part D have risen at more than twice the rate of inflation. 

Free Vaccinations. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, 50.5 million seniors are eligible for no-cost shingles vaccinations. In 2020, nearly 4 million Medicare beneficiaries received the two-part shingles vaccination. With a single shot of Shingrix costing $212, seniors on Medicare Part D are saving over $400 on average on vaccinations in 2023. The high out-of-pocket cost of the shingles vaccine has been a key factor in low vaccination rates, especially among Black and Latino communities. This extends an important affordable preventive service to seniors on Medicare; Americans with private insurance could already typically receive shingles vaccinations at no cost.

Out-Of-Pocket Caps For Seniors. The Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act will save Americans an average of $396 thanks to the $2,000 annual cost cap, which begins in 2025. To help seniors with the highest drug costs starting in 2024, the Act will save over 38 million Americans an average of $462 because they will no longer have to pay a 5% coinsurance when they reach the catastrophic phase of the Part D benefit.

The GOP War on Health Care Threatens Older Adults Across the Nation 

Republicans Want To Cut Medicaid Through Block Grants And Work Reporting Requirements. Republicans are fighting to cut trillions from Medicaid, which would harm millions of older adults who rely on these programs. 7.2 million Americans over 65 are enrolled in Medicaid and more than 11 million Americans ages 50 to 64 have health coverage through Medicaid – many thanks to the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion. Medicaid funds nearly half of long-term care nationwide. As seniors age, long-term care services become more essential, serving about 70 percent of seniors who will need some form of long-term care in their lives.

Republicans Want To Repeal The Inflation Reduction Act And Hike Drug Costs. Big drug companies’ GOP allies in Congress have introduced legislation to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, which would hike drug costs for millions of seniors. In 2023, Senator Mike Lee reintroduced legislation that would not only repeal Medicare’s new ability to negotiate lower drug prices but would also repeal the new penalties on drug companies that increase prices faster than inflation, and roll back the new $2,000 out-of-pocket spending cap on drug costs for those on Medicare. The Republican Study Committee also released a budget proposal that repeals the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare negotiation program entirely. Repealing the Inflation Reduction Act will raise costs for seniors, making it more difficult for them to afford their lifesaving medications, and put money back into the pockets of big drug companies. 

Republicans Want To Repeal The Affordable Care Act. Republicans have repeatedly called for repeal of the ACA since its conception. Donald Trump has promised to overturn the ACA at least seven times last year. Overturning the ACA will put older Americans at risk who are currently benefiting from protections guaranteed by the ACA. The law limits the amount older people can be charged to three times more than younger people.If Republicans got their way and repealed the ACA, it would add an average “age tax” of $4,124 for a 60-year-old in the individual market, according to AARP. People who buy insurance on their own, especially early retirees, have been able to save thousands on health insurance thanks to the enhanced premium subsidies passed in the Inflation Reduction Act.  

Republicans Are Blocking Medicaid Expansion Across 10 States. 10 states have refused to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), stranding many seniors with low incomes in the Medicaid coverage gap. As a result, over 407,000 older Americans with incomes below the federal poverty level are ineligible for Medicaid or ACA marketplace assistance in these states. Over half of these individuals reside in Texas or Florida, and seniors from at least 25 percent of those in the Medicaid coverage gap in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida.

Over 10,000 Older Americans Died Prematurely Due To States’ Decisions Not To Expand Medicaid. Due to states’ decisions not to expand Medicaid under the ACA, 10,444 older Americans died prematurely between 2014 and 2017 alone in the 10 states that have refused to expand the program.

New Navigator polling found that President Biden and Democrats are more trusted on health care. From making prescription drugs more affordable to protecting Medicare, Democrats have a major advantage. This follows Navigator data released yesterday showing that seven in 10 Americans (71 percent) support the Inflation Reduction Act, with large majorities supporting the law’s health care policies to cap the cost of insulin, provide free vaccines, and give Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices. A closer look: 

Voters Across Parties Support The Inflation Reduction Act’s Measures To Lower Drug Prices. The poll shows a growing share of support for the Inflation Reduction Act, including nearly half of Republicans. Capping the cost of insulin (87 percent), providing free vaccines (87 percent), and giving Medicare the power to negotiate (87 percent) are among the most supported health care policies under President Biden. [Navigator, 4/30/24] 

Voters Strongly Support Messages About Bringing Down Prescription Drug Costs. Strong majorities support messages about bringing down costs and making sure Americans aren’t charged three to four times more than people in other countries. According to Navigator, “Focusing on bringing down prescription drug costs overwhelmingly defeats arguments about drug regulations harming innovations and concerns about debt from health care spending.” [Navigator, 5/1/24] 

Voters Report Concern Over Drug Company Profits While Americans Struggle To Afford Their Medications. The poll found that drug company favorability remains low (34 percent) and that voters are highly concerned about drug company profits. Per Navigator: “The strongest criticisms of big pharmaceutical companies focus on their record-breaking profits while Americans cannot afford the prescription drugs they need.”  [Navigator, 5/1/24] 

Washington, D.C. — May marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Heritage Month, and Protect Our Care is highlighting how the Inflation Reduction Act has expanded coverage, lowered costs, and improved care for AA and NHPI communities across the nation. For AAs and NHPIs in particular, these lower costs are translating to better access to care for people who have historically been marginalized and faced difficulty receiving the care they need. Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:

“This month, we are celebrating the progress made by lawmakers to make health care more affordable, accessible, and equitable for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. While President Biden and Democrats in Congress are working to build on this progress and lower costs, Republicans are fighting to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, hike drug costs, and rip coverage away from millions of families. The GOP agenda disproportionately threatens the health and economic security of communities of color.” 

Background

AA and NHPIs have historically faced greater barriers to achieving and maintaining optimal health. The 25.2 million Asian Americans living in the U.S. have long been more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions like kidney failure, heart disease, and hypertension, and Asian American seniors are more likely to report difficulty affording prescription medications. Likewise, the 1.5 million Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders living in the U.S. are significantly more likely to suffer from diabetes and certain forms of cancer. Many AA and NHPIs also contend with longstanding health and economic inequities that make it even harder to get by for those relying on expensive medications to stay healthy.

The Inflation Reduction Act is lowering health care and prescription drug costs for AA and NHPIs, and will address disparities in access and outcomes. The Biden-Harris administration, consistent with their commitment to advancing racial equity for underserved communities, is implementing the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a number of programs that lower health care premiums and prescription drug costs. A closer look at how the Inflation Reduction Act is helping AA and NHPIs across the nation: 

• Capping monthly insulin costs for people on Medicare at $35. Approximately 31,000 Asian American Medicare enrollees save approximately $500 annually due to the $35 insulin cap. 
• Making recommended vaccines free to people on Medicare. More than 1.8 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders enrolled in Medicare Part D can now receive free vaccines. The low-income subsidy, which saves beneficiaries an estimated average of $5,300 a year, disproportionately serves AA and NHPI beneficiaries. 
• Adding a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket prescription drug cost cap to Medicare in 2025. The $2,000 out-of-pocket cap could save Asian American enrollees an average of 31 percent in out-of-pocket costs. 
• Lowering drug prices by allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug companies. More than half of the first ten drugs selected for Medicare price negotiations treat conditions that disproportionately impact AA and NHPIs. 
• Lowering out-of-pocket premiums for people who buy their own insurance. Lower out-of-pocket insurance premiums have led to a 6 percent increase in enrollment for this population when Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders face higher rates of uninsurance than white Americans.

Read Protect Our Care’s full report: Lowering Costs for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders: How the Inflation Reduction Act Makes Health Care and Prescription Drugs More Affordable

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 30***

April is the seventh annual Medicaid Awareness Month, and Protect Our Care is hosting nationwide events to recognize the crucial role Medicaid plays in Americans’ health care and highlight how recent Republican attacks come at a time when more Americans are relying on the program than ever before. Over 85 million Americans are enrolled in Medicaid, which provides affordable care to people from all backgrounds, especially people with disabilities, people with mental health and substance use disorders, children, pregnant women, seniors in nursing homes, rural Americans, and people of color. 

But Republicans haven’t stopped their attacks. The latest GOP budget proposal slashes trillions from Medicaid through block grants, calls for work reporting requirements, and other bureaucratic measures designed to throw people off their coverage. GOP leaders in 10 states have failed to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), blocking 1.6 million people from lifesaving coverage. Medicaid has strengthened local economies, provided Americans with access to quality, affordable health care, and improved health outcomes across the country.

NEW YORK

WHO:
U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13)
U.S. Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY-10)
Dr. Dara Kass, Former Health and Human Services Director for Region 2
Fior Kinne, 1199SEIU Member
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference
WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)
WHEN: Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 12 PM ET

OHIO

WHO:
Maumee City Councilman Scott Noonan
Celeste Smith, former coordinator of the Toledo/Lucas County Commission on Minority Health, founding member of the Getting to 1 Coalition
Barb Kyle, senior advocate, former Executive Director of a local senior center
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference
WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)
WHEN: Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 12:30 PM ET

WISCONSIN

WHO:
U.S. Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI-04)
Wisconsin State Representative Robyn Vining
Health Care Advocates
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference
WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)
WHEN: Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 2 PM CT // 3 PM ET

Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, April 30, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Legislative Proposals To Increase Medicaid Access And Improve Program Integrity.” Republicans on the committee are looking to stop the Biden administration from implementing new rules that would protect low-income seniors in nursing homes and ensure a livable wage for caregivers, most of whom are women of color.

April is Medicaid Awareness Month, and Protect Our Care is highlighting how Medicaid provides lifesaving care for millions of Americans, including children, older adults, and people with disabilities. While President Biden works to strengthen Medicaid, Republicans in Congress are fighting to cut the program and rip coverage away from the people who need it most. Read more on Republicans’ war on Medicaid here. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“It’s no surprise Republicans are jumping at the opportunity to undermine Medicaid access for the American people. It seems that any time Democrats move forward with measures to strengthen access to quality, affordable health care, Republicans want to take three steps backwards. The GOP bills under consideration are all a part of Republicans’ continued efforts to gut Medicaid, rip quality health care away from millions, and put funding for long-term care in complete jeopardy.”

Washington, DC — Today, the Biden administration reversed a Trump-era regulation that allowed insurance companies to sell association health plans. These junk plans lack patient protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and can discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions and fail to cover essential services like hospital visits, maternity care, and prescription drugs. Association health plans are particularly harmful to communities of color and other marginalized groups who are more likely to have poorer health and to be living in poverty. 

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

“Donald Trump’s scheme to expand association health plans was all a part of his efforts to deliberately sabotage the Affordable Care Act and line the pockets of big insurance companies. These junk plans can discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions, deny coverage for lifesaving care, and leave patients with thousands of dollars in unexpected medical bills. After failing to repeal the ACA in Congress, Trump did everything he could to undermine the law, leaving patients in the dust. Now, President Biden and his administration are working every day to strengthen the ACA and make sure that everyone has affordable and high-quality coverage.” 

Background

Association Health Plans And Short-Term Plans Leave Patients Behind. These plans are not required to cover the essential health benefits required by the Affordable Care Act and are allowed to charge people more based on their age, health status, and gender. AHPs have a long history of fraud and unpaid claims and provide weaker cost and protection coverage. The proposal also applauds efforts by the Trump administration to expand short-term limited-duration plans, which engage in predatory marketing practices, fail to protect people with pre-existing conditions, and put patients at risk of bankruptcy when they get sick. The Trump administration’s decision to expand access to these plans exposed consumers to scams and reduced transparency about coverage limits and hidden fees.

This week, eight of the biggest drug companies announced raking in $98.2 billion in revenue in the first quarter of this year. Also during the first few months of 2024, these companies distributed $15.1 billion to shareholders through stock buybacks and dividends. They make billions while charging Americans prices up to four times higher than in other countries, forcing patients to cut pills and skip doses to make ends meet.

Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Merck, which are suing to block Medicare’s new ability to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, announced their drugs subject to negotiation continue to bring in hundreds of millions or billions in revenue. 

While big drug companies lobby to protect their profits by telling lawmakers Medicare’s new ability to negotiate threatens innovation, they are telling investors the opposite. In fact, following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, investment in research and development spending reached $161 billion in 2023, a 16.6 percent increase over 2022 and a nearly 50 percent increase since 2018. And despite the pharmaceutical lobby arguing small molecule innovation is under threat, a recent investor report confirms that the opposite is true. 

Table 1: Drug Company Sales in Q1 2024 Reported This Week

*14.4 billion CHF converted to USD based on an exchange rate of 0.91 CHF to $1.00

**10.5 billion EUR converted to USD based on an exchange rate of €0.94 to $1.00

Table 2: Drugs Selected For Medicare Negotiation By Revenue

• Bristol Myers Squibb CEO Chris Boerner touted “added assets, capabilities and expertise that strengthen our ability to drive long-term growth,” reassuring investors that, “while [the Inflation Reduction Act] has an impact in the middle of the decade, we feel very good about being able to more than compensate for that with a very young and attractive growth profile coming from our growth portfolio and the pipeline.” The company spent $2.7 billion on R&D in Q1.
• AbbVie COO Rob Michael bragged that the company is “off to an excellent start to the year,” and announced that they would be increasing their full-year earnings projections. Michael assured investors, “we continue to advance our R&D pipeline and invest for long term growth,” and announced that the company spent $1.9 billion on R&D while completing its acquisition of ImmunoGen for $10.1 billion in Q1. The company is also on track to acquire Cerevel Therapeutics for $8.7 billion. 
• Merck CFO Caroline Litchfield said the company will “continue to invest in our innovative pipeline,” telling investors, “Our excellent execution and continued investments in innovation will enable us to deliver value to patients, customers and shareholders now and well into the future.”
• Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan touted “ongoing investment in R&D” as well as “innovation milestones” in drug development. He also announced the planned acquisition of biopharmaceutical company MorphoSys for €2.7 billion and a licensing deal with pharma company Arvinas, telling investors, “we are very actively looking across a range of both partnering, licensing and of course, bolt-on M&A.”
• Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker bragged that the company has continued to launch two new drugs every year, noting that “55 percent of our portfolio sales are from the new portfolio” of drugs launched since the end of 2015. In Q1, Roche announced an agreement to acquire point of care technology from biotech company LumiraDx.
• Astellas CEO Naoki Okamura bragged about increasing R&D investments by JPY22.8 billion year-over-year, telling investors, “We will continue to invest those strengths in primary focus and R&D functions in general.”
• AstraZeneca CFO Aradhana Sarin bragged about increasing R&D spending by 19 percent, while CEO Pascal Soriot confirmed that the company will continue to pursue mergers and acquisitions.
• Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson told investors the company had “an excellent start in 2024 with 7 percent sales growth,” noting that the result “further demonstrates our ability to execute successful launches and bring new medicines to patients.” During the earnings call, executives bragged about R&D spending increasing 10 percent to €1.7 billion compared to Q1 2023. In Q1, Sanofi announced the acquisition of drug company Inhibrx for approximately $1.7 billion.
• Gilead CEO Dan O’Day touted a “strong first quarter,” noting, “sales growth for the quarter reflected the diversity of our portfolio.” The company spent $1.5 billion on R&D and completed its acquisition of CymaBay for $4.3 billion in Q1.

Over 80 percent of voters support giving Medicare the power to negotiate, making it the most popular provision in the Inflation Reduction Act. The Inflation Reduction Act brings down prescription drug costs for everyday Americans, especially seniors, by capping the price of insulin at $35 per month and providing free vaccines including shingles, giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, and limiting the amount people have to pay each year for prescription drugs to $2,000 annually starting in 2025. 

Read more:

FACT SHEET: Big Drug Companies Are In Court To Stop Medicare From Negotiating Lower Prices In Order To Protect Sky-High Profits

FACT SHEET: New Estimates Find That Medicare Negotiations Will Lower Drug Prices By Thousands of Dollars Every Year, Finally Limiting the Power of Big Drug Companies

REPORT: Why Medicare Needs the Power to Negotiate for Lower Drug Costs: The Five Drugs That Tell the Story

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 25, AND FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024***

HHS Regional Director Melissa Herd, State Senator Gladys Robinson (NC-28), State Representative Sarah Crawford (NC-66), Delegates Kannan Srinivasan (VA-26), Mark Sickles (VA-17), Rodney Willett (VA-73), and Health Care Advocates Headline Events Across the Nation

This week, Protect Our Care will host events in three states to celebrate Medicaid Awareness Month, recognize the crucial role Medicaid plays in Americans’ health care, and highlight how recent Republican attacks come at a time when more Americans are relying on the program than ever before.

Over 85 million Americans are enrolled in Medicaid, which provides affordable care to people from all backgrounds, especially people with disabilities, people with mental health and substance use disorders, children, pregnant women, seniors in nursing homes, rural Americans, and people of color. But Republicans haven’t stopped their attacks. The latest GOP budget proposal slashes trillions from Medicaid through block grants, calls for work reporting requirements, and other bureaucratic measures designed to throw people off their coverage. GOP leaders in 10 states have failed to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), blocking 1.6 million people from lifesaving coverage. Medicaid has strengthened local economies, provided Americans with access to quality, affordable health care, and improved health outcomes across the country.

PENNSYLVANIA

WHO:
Melissa Herd, Region 3 Director, Department of Health and Human Services
Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Devon Trolley, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority (Pennie)
Antoinette Kraus, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Health Access Network
Michael Berman, Protect Our Care Pennsylvania

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

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

WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 12 PM ET

NORTH CAROLINA

WHO:
Kody Kinsley, Secretary, NC Department of Health and Human Services
State Senator Gladys Robinson (NC-28)
State Representative Sarah Crawford  (NC-66)
Protect Our Care North Carolina

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 2 PM ET

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

VIRGINIA

WHO:
Delegate Mark Sickles (VA-17)
Delegate Rodney Willett (VA-73)
Delegate Kannan Srinivasan (VA-26)
Jill Hanken, Retired Health Policy Attorney, Virginia Poverty Law Center
Leslie Mehta, Storyteller
Katie Baker, Protect Our Care Virginia

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHEN: Friday, April 26, 2024 at 9:30 AM ET

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