Protect Our Care Launches Significant Six-Figure Campaign Holding Republicans Accountable With Nationwide Events, Ads, and Activities
Washington, D.C. – As members of Congress return to Capitol Hill following a tumultuous summer recess for Congressional Republicans, Protect Our Care is continuing its accountability push with a nationwide campaign calling out Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers for passing the largest health care cuts in history. Over the August recess, Republicans faced constituents angry about the big, ugly bill, which takes health care away from more than 15 million people and raises costs for tens of millions more in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations.
The American people are outraged as the consequences of the Republican bill come into full view. Hospitals, nursing homes, and care facilities across the country are shutting down in the wake of these draconian cuts, and premium costs are skyrocketing for families across the nation. Republicans broke our health care system, and now they own every devastating consequence.
“Republicans felt the heat for their war on health care while they were home – and they won’t get any respite when they return to DC,” said Protect Our Care President Brad Woodhouse. “After launching an unprecedented attack on our health care, Republicans were forced to face their constituents to defend their votes, and they were booed out of their town halls. We stand with the American people and are not backing down from the fight to hold Trump and Republicans accountable for igniting a health care disaster for millions so they could shower tax breaks on the privileged few.”
The significant six-figure campaign will include events in up to a dozen states, grassroots and grasstops lobbying efforts in DC and across the country, recruiting and deploying people harmed by the GOP health care disaster, virtual and in-person events with members of Congress, social media activity, paid ads, and new research. The campaign will also feature the following theme weeks:
- September 2-7: Summer from Hell: Republicans Take Heat for Their War on Health Care
- September 8-14: Week of Action: Premium Disaster Watch
- September 15-21: The Trump-GOP Health Care Disaster: Ripping Coverage Away from Millions
- September 22-28: The Trump-GOP Health Care Disaster: Hospitals in Crisis
Background: The Trump-GOP Health Care Disaster Is Happening Now
Premium Hikes: Insurance companies have already indicated that, because of the GOP budget bill, they plan to raise premiums for 24 million Americans by an average of 15 percent. At the same time, Republicans eliminated key tax credits that helped over 20 million Americans afford coverage. Combined, these changes mean millions will see their premiums nearly double this fall. But instead of warning families about the huge cost hikes headed their way, the Trump administration is covering them up. As the uninsured rate rises, emergency rooms will become packed with patients who cannot cover the cost of their care without insurance, leading to higher bills and increased premiums for everyone. Learn more: Premium Disaster Watch.
Hospital Closures: Already, hundreds of hospitals, nursing homes, and care facilities across the country are reducing services, laying off workers, or closing their doors. Patients will be forced to travel hours, sometimes hundreds of miles, to reach the nearest emergency room – even in life-or-death situations. Entire communities are being stranded without essential care. Read Protect Our Care’s rural hospital report with a foreword from Senator Murphy here. View Protect Our Care’s Hospital Crisis Watch Live Map.
Higher Drug Prices: Big drug companies scored one of their biggest victories in years in the GOP budget bill, having put new restrictions on when and what prescription drugs Medicare can negotiate. Now, big drug companies can continue to raise prices on millions of American seniors who rely on these life-saving medications. This giveaway will cost Medicare at least $5 billion in lost savings over the next decade. Read the Latest Greed Watch Report Here.