Read More About the Widespread Support for Protect Our Care’s Priorities for the Next Coronavirus Relief Package Here
Washington, DC — On a press call this morning, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Congressman Colin Allred (D-TX-32) and Protect Our Care discussed the need for Congress to include critical health care provisions in the next coronavirus response package that are supported by a bipartisan majority of Americans, according to a new survey from Public Policy Polling. These provisions include funding adequate testing, supporting Medicaid expansion and a Special Enrollment Period for the uninsured, and opposing the Trump-ACA repeal lawsuit that would rip health care away from more than 20 million Americans as Americans grapple with the coronavirus crisis. The poll also found that a majority of Americans disapprove of the job President Trump has done on health care.
80% of respondents, including 84% of independents and 70% of Republicans, support reforming the health care system to increase financial assistance for those who need it the most and make sure no American spends more than 10% of their income on health insurance.
79% of respondents support expanding Medicaid so more low and moderate income Americans can qualify and get treated for coronavirus and other health care needs. This is also popular among independents (83%) and Republicans (65%).
79% of respondents support Congress requiring that testing and care reach communities of color. This includes 80% of independents and 63% of Republicans voters.
76% of respondents, including 72% of independents and 67% of Republicans, support a special enrollment period to allow uninsured Americans to sign up for affordable coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The Affordable Care Act remains popular with voters. Only 29% of voters support the Trump administration lawsuit to strike down the ACA.
President Trump’s approval on health care is underwater by 10 points among American voters (51-41). Among independents, the margin is even wider: 62% disapprove of the job he’s doing on health care, while just 31% approve.
“We know that COVID-19 has only made our cause more urgent, and our next relief packages need to include a range of health care protections and funding,” said Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14). “We cannot stop there; we must keep an eye on the bigger picture. COVID-19 is a once in a generation crisis that will change our world forever. But, it’s also a once in a generation opportunity to catapult us into a stronger health system for everyone.”
“In a future COVID-19 response package, we need a clear plan to ramp up testing, tracing and treatment across America,” said Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32). “Priority number one should be investing in taking this virus head-on and shoring up health programs that can help regular people now. From Medicaid expansion in Texas to a special enrollment period to ending attacks against the Affordable Care Act — I will keep fighting in Congress to lower costs and expand coverage to those who need it.”
“There has never been a more important time to ensure Americans have access to quality and affordable health care, which is why the next COVID bill needs to be a health care bill,” said Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care. “Americans, regardless of political party, are more worried than ever about their health and the health of their families and rightly expect to be able to be tested and treated with quality, affordable health care if they get sick, now or in the future. Americans agree: it’s time for President Trump and Republicans to support these provisions and drop their disastrous lawsuit to repeal the ACA and end their support for junk plans that don’t include protections for pre-existing conditions.”
Protect Our Care marked Medicaid Awareness Month throughout April with activities nationwide, highlighting Medicaid’s overwhelming importance as the country grapples with a crisis that threatens Americans’ health and safety. Medicaid is an essential program for more than 70 million Americans currently receiving coverage, including more than 35 million children and 7.2 million seniors. Despite its successes, Medicaid is continuously under attack from President Trump and Republicans. From proposing massive cuts to Medicaid in his budgets, his Texas lawsuit that would end Medicaid expansion to encouraging states to impose draconian work requirements and block grants that would kick people off the rolls, Trump has been on a long march to end Medicaid since the day he took office.
“Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of Americans, and its importance has never been more clear as America grapples with the coronavirus crisis that threatens everyone’s health and safety,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Despite its successes – providing health insurance to children and those with disabilities and coverage for seniors and Americans in rural communities – Medicaid is still under attack from President Trump and Republicans who want to gut the program and end Medicaid expansion at a time when the health and safety of Americans has never been more at risk. April was Medicaid Awareness Month, but every day we will fight to defend a health care program that so many millions of Americans rely on.”
Here’s a look at the activities and some of the news coverage that took place over Medicaid Awareness Month:
NATIONAL: Wednesday, April 1 – Medicaid is A Critical Part of America’s Response to the Coronavirus, But President Trump Wants to Gut It The Medicaid program is a critical part of our response to coronavirus, but President Trump is waging a war on Medicaid. Here are the ways the Trump administration is trying to gut Medicaid and the ways Medicaid is essential to America’s coronavirus response: Read the full fact sheet here.
Tuesday, April 14th – Press Call with Senator Doug Jones (D-AL), Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32), Andy Slavitt on the Overwhelming Benefits of Medicaid Expansion During the Coronavirus Crisis Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) along with Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX-32), former CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt and Protect Our Care held a press call to discuss the overwhelming benefits of Medicaid and why Medicaid expansion is needed now more than ever as America grapples with the coronavirus crisis. Listen to the call here and read POC’s report, “Medicaid Expansion, A Critical Part Of America’s Response to the Coronavirus, Is Under Threat From President Trump” here.
North Dallas Gazette: Rep. Allred Op-Ed: Now more than ever, Texas must expand Medicaid to save lives [4/27/20]
Alabama Daily News: New Coalition Pushes For Medicaid expansion, Republicans Remain Reluctant [4/16/20]
WKRG (CBS Mobile): Sen. Jones: Coronoavirus Shows Need For Medicaid Expansion [4/14/20]
AL.com: Why Hasn’t Alabama Expanded Medicaid During The Pandemic? [4/15/20]
Montgomery Advertiser: “The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Upended Daily Life In Alabama, But One Fact Remains Constant: Republican Leaders Resist Medicaid Expansion.” [4/15/20]
WKRN: Democrats push for Medicaid expansion in next coronavirus relief plan [4/15/20]
Monday, April 20th – Press Call with Senator Angus King (I-ME) Discussing Critical Importance of Medicaid for Rural Communities During the Coronavirus Crisis Senator Angus King (I-ME) along with State Rep. Anne Perry (D-Calais, ME) and Protect Our Care discussed the overwhelming benefits of Medicaid for rural communities’ access to health care as America confronts the coronavirus crisis. Listen to the call here and read POC’s report, “Rural America in the Balance: Medicaid, Coronavirus & Rural Hospitals,” here.
WABI 5: Rural hospitals feeling the financial strain of fighting COVID-19 [4/20/20]
FOX 22: Pandemic especially hard on rural healthcare providers, King says [4/21/20]
ARIZONA Thursday, April 30th — Rural Health Zoom Roundtable with State Rep. Charlene Fernandez, Providers and Health Care Advocates Protect Our Care Arizona hosted a virtual roundtable with Jeff Jeans—a cancer survivor—and Rep. Charlene Fernandez, the Democratic Leader of the Arizona House of Representatives who represents Arizona’s fourth legislative district, which includes a handful of rural counties. Jeff Jeans, who survived advanced cancer and relies on the Affordable Care Act for ongoing access to care described how ongoing Republican health care sabotage leaves Arizonans like him at risk. Speakers on the call urged lawmakers to protect Arizona’s rural hospitals, which are playing a critical role in combating coronavirus in the state. You can see a recording of the roundtable here.
COLORADO Tuesday, April 7th – Our Lives on the Line Digital Town Hall Protect Our Care was joined by health care advocates, consumers, and experts on a Digital Town Hall to discuss the critical role Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act are playing in Colorado’s response to COVID-19. Medicaid expansion granted coverage to 453,400 Coloradans, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities. With more than 80,000 Coloradans filing for unemployment due the pandemic, it is especially important for low-income adults to have a place to turn for coverage in this public health emergency. Watchthe entire Digital Town Hall here.
Colorado Times Recorder: Why Are Gardner and Trump Trying to Dismantle Obamacare During a Pandemic, Ask Advocates [4/7/20]
Friday, April 17th – Op-Ed by Alice Kresh Alice Kresh, whose son was diagnosed with a severe defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and relies on Medicaid for access to care, penned an op-ed in the Colorado Independent on the importance of protecting the program. “Even in the face of a global health crisis, the Trump administration and our own Senator Cory Gardner continue to sabotage and attack Medicaid, leaving Coloradans’ health care hanging in the balance. Republicans have spent years undermining Medicaid and Trump’s war on Medicaid has been cruel and unending. For families like mine, these attacks have real and dangerous consequences.”
The Colorado Independent: Medicaid saved my son’s life, it saves lives in a pandemic too [4/17/20]
Thursday, April 30th — Rural Health Zoom Roundtable with State Sen. Kerry Donovan, State Rep. Dylan Roberts and Health Care Experts Protect Our Care Colorado hosted a virtual roundtable with State Senator Kerry Donovan (SD 5), Representative Dylan Roberts (HD 26), Adam Fox with Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, and Ross Brooks, the Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Family Health Centers to discuss the critical role of Medicaid in supporting rural Colorado’s response to COVID-19. Speakers on the call highlighted how Medicaid has allowed hospitals in rural Colorado to remain open, but warned that the coronavirus pandemic is straining these resources. Participants explained how now more than ever, it is both irresponsible and outright cruel for Trump and Republicans to wage a political war on our access to health care. You can see a recording of the roundtable here.
Thursday, April 30th – Former Governor John Hickenlooper (D-CO) Marks Medicaid Awareness Month with Former CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt “April is Medicaid Awareness Month. When I was Governor, we passed bipartisan Medicaid expansion and got nearly 95% of Colorado covered. Today, Republicans are still attacking Medicaid. I spoke with @ASlavitt about why we need to protect access to health care now more than ever.” [John Hickenlooper Twitter, 4/30/20]
GEORGIA Monday, April 13th – Press Call with State Sen. Nikema Williams Protect Our Care Georgia was joined by Dr. Melanie Thompson and State Senator Nikema Williams on a press call to discuss how Georgia’s refusal to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act is undermining the response to COVID-19. 885,000 Georgians could have gained health coverage if Georgia had expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Senator Williams also discussed her experience contracting and recovering from COVID-19, and Dr. Thompson, an HIV expert, highlighted the importance of providing care for everyone to ensure the health and safety of the entire community. Listen to the press callhere.
Wednesday, April 29th – Digital Press Conference on Rural Health Protect Our Care Georgia convened a digital press conference to discuss how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting rural Georgia, and what leaders can do to increase access to care and help struggling hospitals. Participants included two rural doctors, an epidemiologist, and the Minority Leader in the Georgia House of Representatives. They condemned the governor’s lifting of social distancing restrictions and called for the expansion of Medicaid in the state. View the press conference here.
Capitol Beat: End nears for Georgia shelter-in-place order, extension undecided [4/29/20]
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Kemp poised to lift restrictions, despite warnings of renewed outbreak [4/29/20]
Valdosta Daily Times: Rural doctors worry about lifting social distancing [4/29/20]
Georgia Recorder: Dem state lawmaker urges Kemp to expand Medicaid to fight COVID-19 [4/30/20]
Athens Banner-Herald: End nears for Georgia shelter-in-place order; extension undecided [4/29/20]
The Daily Tribune News: End nears for Georgia shelter-in-place order, extension undecided [4/29/20]
IOWA Friday, April 10th – Press Call with State Sen. Claire Celsi Progress Iowa and Protect Our Care Iowa were joined by Iowa Senator Claire Celsi, Denise Rathman, the Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers Iowa Chapter, and Mary Horsman, a respiratory therapist from Des Moines, on a press call to discuss the critical role Medicaid is playing in Iowa’s response to COVID-19 and Gov. Kim Reynold’s failures to secure Iowa in the face of crisis. You can listen to a full recording of the call here.
Thursday, April 23rd – Rural Health Care Zoom Roundtable Progress Iowa and Protect Our Care were joined by former Lt. Governor Patty Judge, Iowa Senator Pam Jochum, Iowa Representative Timi Brown-Powers, and Dr. Rossana Rosa at a virtual town hall to discuss how communities in rural Iowa are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus, and how the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid is keeping Iowans safe and healthy, and providing rural hospitals with the resources needed to fight the spread of the virus, despite ongoing attacks from Gov. Reynolds, Senators Ernst and Grassley, and President Trump. You can watch a full recording of the call here.
MICHIGAN Saturday, April 25th – Op-Ed by Local Health Care Official Protect Our Care Michigan worked with Janet Olszewski, former director of the Michigan Department of Community Health, to place an op-ed in Bridge Michigan on the importance of protecting Medicaid. “As Michigan and the rest of the United States grapples with the spread of COVID-19, it is more important than ever that every American has access to quality, affordable health care. Medicaid is a lifeline for people with limited resources providing 2.5 million Michigan residents access to life-saving health care.”
Bridge Michigan: During this coronavirus crisis, Medicaid must be protected [4/25/20]
MINNESOTA Thursday, April 16th – Medicaid Awareness Press Call with State Sen. Matt Klein, State Rep. Alice Mann, and State Rep. Kelly Morrison Protect Our Care Minnesota was joined by State Sen. Matt Klein, DFL-Mendota Heights, state Rep. Alice Mann, DFL-Lakeville, and state Rep. Kelly Morrison, DFL-Deephaven on a press call to discuss the legislators’ firsthand experiences providing health care during a pandemic. As state legislators and physicians, participants explained how misinformation puts Minnesotans and millions of Americans in danger, and urged the Trump administration to prioritize access to health care amid the COVID-19 pandemic. You can listen to the call audiohere.
MONTANA Friday, April 24th – Rural Health Care Townhall Protect Our Care Montana hosted a press call with State Senator Jenn Gross and State Representative Barbara Bessette to discuss the latest report on the state of rural health care in Montana. You can listen to a recording of the press call here.
NEW HAMPSHIRE Thursday, April 23rd – Tele-Town Hall with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) More than 35 advocates and citizens joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Protect Our Care New Hampshire in a tele-town hall to highlight the vital importance of Medicaid and the ACA, especially as the state responds to the coronavirus pandemic. A New Hampshire resident shared her own story about the importance of Medicaid for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and advocacy groups such as Granite State Progress Education Fund, Covering New Hampshire, Bi-State Primary Care Association, Kent Street Coalition, Able NH, and the New Hampshire Medical Society asked the Senator questions. Listen to the call here.
Nashua Telegraph: Sen. Shaheen emphasizes importance of ACA [4/24/20]
Tuesday, April 28th – Roundtable with Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) Protect Our Care New Hampshire was joined by Rep. Chris Pappas on a video roundtable to discuss how communities in rural New Hampshire are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus, as well as how Medicaid is keeping Granite Staters healthy while also providing rural hospitals with the resources needed to fight the spread of the virus. Joining Congressman Pappas at the roundtable were more than 20 people, including representatives from Granite State Progress, Laconia Housing, Bi-State Primary Health Care, Kent Street Coalition, Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy, and New Futures. Watch the roundtable here.
Nashua Telegraph: Pappas: We need adequate federal response on testing, rural health care [4/29/20]
NEVADA Thursday, April 9th – Zoom Roundtable with Congresswoman Dina Tutus (NV-01) Protect Our Care Nevada hosted a Medicaid Zoom Roundtable with cancer survivor and Medicaid recipient, Make it Work Nevada, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN), State Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow, and Congresswoman Dina Titus. Speakers discussed the importance of Medicaid for Nevadans, ways to improve the program, the role that Medicaid expansion has played in getting more people access to care, and President Trump’s continued threats to destroy Medicaid. You can watch a full recording of the round table discussion here.
NORTH CAROLINA Wednesday, April 8th — Press Call with Congressman G.K. Butterfield (NC-01) and NC Justice Center Protect Our Care North Carolina was joined by Congressman G.K. Butterfield and William Munn, of the North Carolina Justice Center on apress call to discuss how North Carolina’s refusal to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act isundermining the response to COVID-19. Speakers urged Republican lawmakers in North Carolina to move to expand Medicaid in response to the public health emergency, and explained how expansion would support not only North Carolinians, but also the state’s hospitals, which are struggling to operate with limited resources. You can listen to the call audiohere.
Tuesday, April 28th – Medicaid Expansion Advocacy Day Press Call with North Carolina Justice Center Protect Our Care North Carolina joined Health Action NC, a statewide coalition of organizations dedicated to the fight for expanding Medicaid on a press call to kickoff the first annual Digital Medicaid Expansion Advocacy Day. On the call, Rep. Verla Insko; Joe Weissfield, Director of Medicaid Initiatives of Families USA; Dr. William Munn of the NC Justice Center; and Penelope Wingard, a North Carolina resident who is in our state’s coverage gap, explained how North Carolina Republican’s refusal to expand Medicaid has left more than half a million North Carolinians without access to health care. Speakers urged Republican legislators to set politics aside, and prioritize access to health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can listen to the call audio here.
Washington, DC — Today, the Supreme Court reversed a decision by the Trump administration in July of 2018 to suspend risk adjustment payments that were included in the Affordable Care Act to help offer more affordable coverage to everyone, regardless of if they are healthy or sick. By refusing to make risk adjustment payments — even though they didn’t cost the taxpayer a single penny — President Trump and his administration made it harder for people with pre-existing conditions to access coverage, and drove up premiums for millions. This Supreme Court decision is one week before the House of Representatives and Democratic Attorneys General submit briefs to the court in opposition to the Trump lawsuit to overturn the entire ACA. Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach released the following statement in response:
“Today, the Supreme Court overruled an early attack by the Trump administration to undermine the Affordable Care Act — a decision by President Trump that raised insurance premiums for millions of Americans. Next week, the court begins its consideration of President Trump’s most outrageous action of all to rip apart Americans health care, a lawsuit that would take coverage away from 20 million Americans during a global pandemic. This is an outrageous attack by the president on America’s health care at the worst possible time.”
Washington, D.C. — Today, Protect Our Care announced that it will merge its online health care community with the Obamacare grassroots online community, combining a network of 700,000+ influencers, activists, and storytellers into a health care messaging hub.
Protect Our Care’s Digital Director Sean England released the following statement:
“From driving open enrollment to lifting up stories of everyday Americans, the Obamacare online community has been such a powerful tool in the health care fight, and we are excited to join forces and create a unified community that can reach hundreds of thousands of Americans.”
On Thursday, Protect Our Care released a new survey conducted with Public Policy Polling in the key battleground states of Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin on voter attitudes towards Trump’s handling of the coronavirus. News coverage of POC’s polling reinforced the fact that majorities of voters in these key 2020 states disapprove of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, trust their governors far more and oppose relaxing social distancing and recent protests to end stay-at-home orders.
Coverage of Protect Our Care’s Polling:
The Hill: EXCLUSIVE: Voters In Swing States Trust Governors Over Trump On Reopening Economy, Poll Finds. “The president’s approval ratings in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are 46 percent, 44 percent and 45 percent, respectively, in this poll, while his disapproval numbers stand at 49 percent, 52 percent and 48 percent. PPP surveyed more than 1,200 voters in each state on behalf of Protect Our Care, a group devoted to defending the 2010 Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare. “What I think we’ve seen is that President Trump can’t bullshit his way through this pandemic. You have to show genuine competency, genuine leadership and genuine empathy,” said Brad Woodhouse, the executive director of Protect Our Care.” [The Hill, 4/23/20]
NBC News: Trump’s Coronavirus Approval Rating Underwater In Key States, Surveys Find. “New surveys out Thursday show President Donald Trump’s approval rating for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic is underwater among voters in four critical states this election while state governors receive high marks for their responses to the virus. By and large, these key voters also oppose protests against stay-at-home orders and efforts to relax social distancing measures. The polling, conducted by the progressive firm, Public Policy Polling, on behalf of Protect Our Care — a left-of-center health care advocacy group — finds that 45 percent of voters in Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin approve of Trump’s management of the crisis while 50 percent disapprove on average. The governors of those states, in contrast, receive a net approval rating for their handling of the pandemic that’s 32 percentage points higher than the president’s with 58 percent approving and 31 percent disapproving.” [NBC News, 4/23/20]
VICE News: New Polls In 5 Swing States Are Looking Scary For Trump. “Biden is up 51%-44% in both Michigan and Pennsylvania, 50%-45% in Wisconsin, and 49%-46% in North Carolina, according to polls conducted by the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling for the liberal healthcare group Protect Our Care. Those polls also found a huge trust deficit between Trump and the states’ Democratic governors on how to handle the coronavirus. In Michigan, voters said by 57%-37% that they trusted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) more than Trump on the question of who they trusted more to protect their state from the pandemic. In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper (D) led by 58%-33%. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf (D) led by 58%-35%, and in Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers led by 54%-39%.” [VICE News, 4/23/20]
Up North News: Wisconsin Trusts Evers Over Trump on Coronavirus Reopening. “Nearly two-thirds of Wisconsinites said they oppose protesters who want to end restrictions that have slowed the spread of coronavirus. That same survey, done by Public Policy Polling, shows Gov. Tony Evers getting a net approval rating that is nearly 20 points higher than President Trump when it comes to handling the pandemic crisis.” [Up North News, 4/23/20]
Wisconsin Examiner: What Is The Republican Position On The Pandemic? No, Really. “Across swing states, the polling suggests that the pandemic is hurting Trump’s re-election chances. Trump trails former Vice President Joe Biden in all four states PPP polled — Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. And in all of those states, voters trust their governors significantly more than Trump. “It’s no secret why voters in these states trust their governors more than President Trump to keep them safe during this crisis – his incoherent and disastrous response continues to put their health and safety at risk,” says Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse, whose group commissioned the polling.” [Wisconsin Examiner, 4/24/20]
Politics PA: PPP Poll: Wolf Holds Strong Approval on COVID-19, Trump Trails Biden by 7. “Another poll of battleground states shows Gov. Tom Wolf receiving high marks for his response to COVID-19 in comparison to President Donald Trump, while former Vice President Joe Biden also holds a lead in a head to head matchup over the president in the Keystone State. According to a new Public Policy Polling survey, a Democratic-affiliated polling firm that commissioned this poll with Protect Our Care, a significant majority of Pennsylvanians back Wolf’s actions in response to COVID-19, while Trump’s ratings on the issue are under water.” [Politics PA, 4/24/20]
The Dispatch: The Latest Polls Bear Bad News for Trump. “When you drill down to the states most pivotal to Trump’s re-election, the numbers don’t look better. A recent Public Policy Polling survey of voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and North Carolina found that, on average, ‘the Democratic governors of those four battleground states have a net approval rating for their job on handling the coronavirus crisis that is 32 points higher than Trump’s.’” [The Dispatch, 4/24/20]
Washington, DC — On a press call today, Protect Our Care along with Public Policy Polling and Geoff Garin of Hart Research discussed new polling on voters’ opinions on President Trump’s response to the coronavirus crisis. Additionally, Protect Our Care unveiled a new survey conducted with Public Policy Polling in Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin that finds voters in these key battleground states disapprove of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, trust their governors far more and oppose relaxing social distancing and recent protests to end stay-at-home orders.
Key findings from Protect Our Care/PPP survey of MI, NC, PA and WI voters:
On average the Governors’ net approval for their handling of the virus are 32 points better than Trump’s.
On the head-to-head question of who voters trust more to protect their state from the coronavirus, the Governors on average beat Trump out by 21 points at 57-36:
On the question of who voters trust more to decide when to reopen their state the Governors lead Trump by an even wider average margin of 28 points at 61-33
The survey also finds that battleground state voters think social distancing measures need to stay in place and take a dim view of the protesters pushing for the country to immediately reopen: On average only 19% of voters think social distancing measures should be relaxed.
“It’s no secret why voters in these states trust their governors more than President Trump to keep them safe during this crisis – his incoherent and disastrous response continues to put their health and safety at risk,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “President Trump has shattered any credibility his administration might have had when it comes to leadership during this crisis. The more President Trump downplays the threat of coronavirus, lies about his administration’s response and vilifies state officials for trying to keep their citizens safe, the lower his approval will continue to fall in states he needs to win come November.”
“The polling makes clear that voters have lost trust in Trump’s ability to lead them through this crisis,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “And all signs show they will grow more concerned with his leadership the longer this crisis continues. Trump doesn’t learn from his mistakes, instead he repeats them. Americans want clear and consistent leadership to keep them safe during this crisis, but Trump continues to downplay the need for testing and ignore the advice of experts. Voters disagree with his decisions because they know them make them less safe. Americans overwhelmingly support continuing social distancing, they overwhelmingly oppose the protests that the president loves to watch on television and they don’t trust his efforts to rush the reopening of the economy. It’s no wonder they are rejecting his leadership.”
Tuesday Morning’s Roundtable Discussion With Health Care Advocates Focused On How Trump’s Health Care Sabotage Has Worsened the Response to the Coronavirus Crisis
Washington, DC — Today, Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), former CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt and Protect Our Care held a digital roundtable with health care advocates and reporters to discuss President Trump’s efforts to overturn the Affordable Care Act in Congress and the courts and to rip away Americans’ health care in the midst of a global pandemic.
The roundtable discussion focused on how the Trump administration’s years-long sabotage of Americans’ health care has hindered our ability to adequately prepare for and respond to the coronavirus crisis. Participants also discussed the steps that Congress must take to address Americans’ health care needs during this crisis, including adequately funding testing, supporting Medicaid expansion and a special enrollment period for the uninsured, ending junk plans and stopping the Trump lawsuit that would rip health care away from more than 20 million Americans and end protections for 135 million people with pre-existing conditions.
Senator King, Protect Our Care and Maine Nurse Practitioner Discuss Crucial Role Medicaid Plays in Ensuring Rural Americans Have Access to Care During This Crisis
Washington, DC — On a press call today, Senator Angus King (I-ME) along with State Rep. Anne Perry (D-Calais, ME) and Protect Our Care discussed the overwhelming benefits of Medicaid for rural communities’ access to health care as America confronts the coronavirus crisis. April is Medicaid Awareness Month, and there has never been a more important time to highlight how Medicaid is a lifeline for rural Americans in Maine and across the country who are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus pandemic due to higher rates of uninsurance and barriers to coverage and care. Despite Medicaid’s overwhelming benefits to rural communities, the program is under constant attack from the Trump administration and Republicans who’ve waged a years-long war against it. Protect Our Care also published a new report on the importance of Medicaid for rural hospitals and rural communities when getting people access to affordable care during this crisis.
“The impacts of coronavirus – including the costs of preparation and loss of expected revenue – are hitting our rural health care providers hard, many of whom were already facing challenges,” said Senator King. “These hospitals are cornerstones of rural communities across Maine, providing not only jobs but also peace of mind that, in the event of an emergency, someone is there to help. We need to make sure that these providers are able to continue to serve rural Maine communities, both during this crisis and after it’s over.”
“Medicaid is a lifeline for Americans in rural communities and its importance has never been clearer as rural America struggles with the spread of coronavirus,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “We are thankful to have leaders in the Senate like Senator King who are fighting on behalf of America’s rural communities during this crisis and recognize the importance of Medicaid when it comes to our efforts to get rural Americans access to the care they need.”
Protect Our Care Releases New Report as Part of Medicaid Awareness Month on Importance of Medicaid As a Lifeline For Rural Communities In Dealing With Spread of Coronavirus
Washington, DC — Today, Protect Our Care is releasing a new report as part of Medicaid Awareness Month on how communities in rural America are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus, and how Medicaid is an important tool for covering rural Americans and supporting struggling rural hospitals. Rural Americans face particular challenges when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic due to higher prevalence of pre-existing conditions, lower coverage rates, and other barriers to accessing health care. This report sheds light on those disparities and points out how the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on Medicaid and state Republicans’ refusal to implement expansion puts rural Americans’ health and safety at risk during this crisis.
“Medicaid is a lifeline for Americans in rural communities and its importance has never been clearer as rural America struggles with the spread of coronavirus,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “In order to ensure the health and safety of all Americans, but especially those in rural communities who lack necessary resources and access to care during this crisis, we need to ensure that funding for Medicaid is protected and the program is expanded. The Trump administration must stop its years-long effort to sabotage Medicaid and allow states to expand Medicaid so that Americans everywhere get access to the care they need.”
Press Call This Morning Detailed the Need for Medicaid Expansion, Special Enrollment Period, Addressing Racial Disparities, Coverage Affordability, Banning Junk Plans and Funding Testing and PPE to Be Included in Congress’ Next Coronavirus Response Package
Washington, DC — On a press call this morning, Energy & Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ-06) along with E&C Subcommittee on Health Vice Chair G.K. Butterfield (D-NC-01) and Protect Our Care detailed the need for Congress to include critical health care provisions in the next coronavirus response package. While the first three response packages focused primarily on providing economic relief and increased funding for hospitals, Chairman Pallone, Congressman Butterfield and POC made clear that the next package must focus on protecting the health of individual Americans. Chairman Pallone and POC have proposed measures to address the immediate and longer-term health care needs highlighted by the crisis. The priorities outlined on the call include adequately funding testing, supporting Medicaid expansion and a Special Enrollment Period for the uninsured, ending junk plans and stopping the Trump-ACA repeal lawsuit that would rip health care away from more than 20 million Americans and 135 million with pre-existing conditions as Americans grapple with the coronavirus crisis.
“While Congress has already passed legislation to provide free coronavirus testing for everyone and emergency funds for hospitals and health care providers, there is still an urgent need for additional action,” said Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ). “Democrats will fight to cover the cost of coronavirus treatment for everyone and expand access to affordable health care coverage. Our priorities include opening a Special Enrollment period so everyone has a chance to sign up for coverage, expanding eligibility and increasing subsidies to lower monthly premiums and incentivizing states to expand their Medicaid programs. Congress must come together to address the health care needs of the American people in order for us to overcome this pandemic and be able to reopen the economy.”
“With each passing day, we continue to see the need for additional robust action to combat the COVID-19 crisis,” said Congressman G. K. Butterfield (D-NC). “In North Carolina, and across the country, we are seeing a disproportionate impact of this virus on communities of color and rural and underserved populations. Improving access to care, testing, and treatment for minority populations, rural communities, and the under and uninsured must be a focus of the next coronavirus package.”
“In addition to continuing our investments in restoring our economy and addressing the financial needs of everyday Americans, the next big COVID bill needs to be a health care bill,” said Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care. “Americans are more worried than ever about their health and the health of their families and rightly expect to be able to be tested and treated with quality, affordable health care if they get sick, now or in the future. It’s time for President Trump and Republicans in Congress to do what’s right and drop their Texas lawsuit to repeal the ACA and end their support for junk plans that don’t include protections for pre-existing conditions.”
BACKGROUND:
Protect Our Care Is Calling on Congress to Address the Following in COVID-4
Provide Adequate Testing to Mitigate the Crisis and Give Us the Tools to Safely Reopen the Economy
Congress should fund sufficient testing capacity, production and deployment to slow the spread of the virus by identifying those who are sick and contagious, sufficient capacity to test for the virus to allow identification and contact tracing to mitigate spread as the economy reopens, and sufficient testing for antibodies to guide public health decisions on reopening the economy. It should require adequate reporting requirements to track the status of the federal effort in real time. It should also fund adequate PPE for front line health care workers.
Medicaid Expansion
Congress should incentivize Medicaid expansion so that more people are covered. Congress should incentivize the states that have yet to expand Medicaid by increasing the federal share of the cost so that any states that choose to expand Medicaid get a second chance to receive the same levels of federal funding as states which expanded earlier.
Additional Support for State Medicaid Programs
Congress should provide additional assistance to states by extending and expanding the increase in federal Medicaid match that was included in the Families First law and providing that increase for both traditional and expansion Medicaid populations.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP) and Full Funding for SEP and Future Open Enrollment Periods
Congress should open a Special Enrollment Period nationally so people who need health coverage can sign up on the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges. Additionally, restore full funding for enrollment activities, which has been curtailed by the Trump administration, including for navigators, outreach and advertising so that Americans are aware of their options and get the help and information they need to enroll in Medicaid or the ACA marketplaces.
Address Racial Disparities
Congress should mandate the collection and dissemination of data on coronavirus cases by racial and ethnic outcomes, and ensure that testing and other health measures reach those who need it.
Make Health Insurance More Affordable
Congress should increase financial assistance for those who qualify under the Affordable Care Act and expand the number of people who qualify.
