Skip to main content
Category

News

protectourcare
In News

NEW ADS: Protect Our Care Launches Digital Ad Campaign on American Rescue Plan Votes

Campaign Includes 30 Ads in 19 States Praising Democrats and Holding Republicans Accountable

WATCH HERE: Democrats Voted for The American Rescue Plan

WATCH HERE: Republicans Voted Against The American Rescue Plan

Washington, DC — Protect Our Care launched a new digital ad campaign today to hold legislators accountable for their historic votes on the American Rescue Plan. The American Rescue Plan works to get the virus under control and restore our economy by providing $1,400 checks and other financial relief for children and families, getting vaccines in the arms of Americans and reducing health care costs. 

According to a recent report from the Associated Press, under this plan “Several million people stand to save hundreds of dollars in health insurance costs, or more.” Kaiser Health News found that this plan has “some of the most significant changes to insurance affordability in more than a decade.”

The ads will run in-district so constituents know where their elected officials stand on this monumental health care vote. 

Ads about support of the American Rescue Plan will be running in: U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Michael Bennet (D-CO), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Representatives Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), Carolyn Bordeaux (D-GA-07), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-08), Andy Kim (D-NJ-03), Deborah Ross (D-NC-02), Matt Cartwright (D-PA-08), Conor Lamb (D-PA-17), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07), Colin Allred (D-TX-32), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), and Kim Schrier (D-WA-08). 

Ads about opposition to the American Rescue Plan will be running in: U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) and U.S. Representatives David Valadao (R-CA-21), Mike Garcia (R-CA-25), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), John Katko (R-NY-24), Steve Chabot (R-OH-01), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24). 

“Facing this pandemic, no one who voted against the American Rescue Plan can hide from their vote, and no one who voted for it should be shy about screaming it from the rooftops. The American Rescue Plan is absolutely critical in pulling our country out of this pandemic and getting it under control. Democrats are delivering lower health care costs, expanding coverage and addressing racial disparities so people can get the health care they need to defeat this pandemic,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Protect Our Care is making sure people know which of their elected officials voted for shots in arms, cash in the pockets of Americans, and reducing health care costs — and which ones voted to prolong the pandemic and leave their constituents without the relief they need.”

Example (AZ) Script for Positive Accountability Ad (:30): 

Americans are fighting every day against this pandemic. 

Small businesses. Jobs. Time with family. Lives. All lost. 

Thankfully, your Senator Mark Kelly just voted for the American Rescue Plan.

For 1,400 dollars in relief for families.

For a surge in distributing the vaccine.

For expanding health care and lowering costs so less people get sick.

Americans want to get control of this virus. 

He voted to have our back. 

Call Senator Kelly: Tell him to keep fighting for our families.

Example (WI) Script for Negative Accountability Ad (:30): 

Americans are fighting every day against this pandemic. 

Small businesses. Jobs. Time with family. Lives. All lost. 

But Senator Ron Johnson just voted against the American Rescue Plan.

Said no to 1,400 dollars in direct relief for families.

Said no to a surge in vaccine distribution.

Said no to lowering health insurance premiums and expanding care. 

Americans want to get control of this virus. 

Senator Johnson voted to prolong it. 

Call and tell him to STOP playing politics with our lives.

protectourcare
In News

HELP IS ON THE WAY: President Biden Signs Historic American Rescue Plan Into Law

President Biden, Democrats Deliver Essential Pandemic Relief, Critical Health Care Expansion

Washington, DC — President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law today, delivering a lifeline to Americans who have been battling the COVID-19 pandemic for a year. The American Rescue Plan includes desperately needed pandemic relief and historic health care provisions to lower costs, expand coverage, and address racial inequities in care. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:

“The American Rescue Plan is a historic victory for Americans who have been struggling through this pandemic for the last year. Thanks to President Biden, real relief is on the way. Americans will feel the impact of this legislation in their lives, and it will help pull us out of this pandemic. The American Rescue Plan is the boldest expansion of health care in a decade. It builds on the Affordable Care Act by expanding coverage, lowering heath care costs, and addressing racial disparities. Despite overwhelming support in both red and blue states, not a single Republican voted for the American Rescue Plan. Republicans voted against shots in arms, cash in families’ pockets, and reopening schools. President Biden and Democrats in Congress are the ones who put the health and safety of Americans first and delivered on their promises. Voters won’t forget who helped pull them out of this pandemic.”

BACKGROUND:

The American Rescue Plan Will Expand Coverage, Dramatically Reduce Health Care Costs For Americans

As part of the American Rescue Plan, Democrats included major provisions to lower health care costs and expand coverage, building on the strong foundation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This legislation will lower premiums for people purchasing coverage through the ACA marketplaces and expand access to financial assistance for more middle-class families. Additionally, the American Rescue Plan includes robust financial incentives for the 14 states that have not yet implemented Medicaid expansion. 

Making health insurance more affordable and accessible is especially important as the country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic and millions have lost their jobs and their health insurance. Measures to increase affordability also reduce racial disparities in health care access. Despite significant progress after the implementation of the ACA, Black and Hispanic adults are more likely than white adults to have low incomes and face financial barriers to receiving care.

Lower Costs: 

Increasing financial assistance on the ACA marketplaces means more people will be able to get the affordable coverage they need during the pandemic. Similar legislation previously passed by the House would lower costs for more than 10 million Americans and provide affordable options for uninsured Americans at a time when access to health care is paramount. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 1.3 million uninsured people will gain coverage as a result of these provisions alone. 

  • Guarantee coverage that costs less than 8.5 percent of income. This legislation lowers the cost of premiums for Americans purchasing coverage through the ACA marketplaces, ensuring enrollees have the option to purchase health care for less than 8.5 percent of their income for the next two years. 
  • Make coverage more affordable by temporarily expanding the eligibility for premium tax credits above 400 percent of the federal poverty level — roughly $51,000 for a single person or $105,000 for a family of four. Under current law, families earning just above 400 percent of the federal poverty level spend an average of 15 percent of their incomes on health insurance. According to estimates from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: 
    • The average 45-year-old earning $60,000 will save $86 in monthly premiums. 
    • A 60-year-old couple with a household income of $75,000 will save $1,389 in monthly premiums. 
    • A family of four with a household income of $120,000 will save $595 in monthly premiums. 
  • Improve affordability for low- and middle-income Americans by increasing the size of the tax credits for all income brackets for the next two years. This means a typical family of four with a household income of $75,000 will save $248 on monthly premiums, while a single adult earning $30,000 will save $110 per month. 
  • Eliminate premiums in the exchanges for people earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level (roughly $19,000 for a single person and $39,000 for a family of four) and for those receiving unemployment insurance in 2021. 

Expanded Coverage:

In addition to providing affordable coverage options for millions of uninsured Americans through the ACA, the American Rescue Plan provides robust financial incentives for the 14 states that have not yet implemented Medicaid expansion. Research confirms that Medicaid expansion increases access to care, improves financial security, and leads to better health outcomes. Medicaid expansion has played a vital role in reducing racial disparities in health care access and has served as a critical safety net during the pandemic. 

An estimated four million uninsured adults — including 640,000 frontline workers— could gain coverage if the remaining holdout states adopted expansion. Importantly, people of color make up nearly 60 percent of this group. 

protectourcare
In News

NEW TV AD: One Year Into COVID Shutdown, President Biden Has Put America on Clear Path to Ending the Pandemic With Passage of American Rescue Plan

After President Trump’s Failed Leadership Led to 500K Dead, Millions Infected and Economic Turmoil, President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Puts Country on Clear Path Out of Crisis

Watch Here

Washington, DC – Protect Our Care is releasing a new TV ad today on the anniversary of the Coronavirus pandemic shutdown contrasting President Biden’s bold action to get direct relief to Americans, lower health care costs and get the economy back on track with the failures of the Trump administration. 

The ad titled “One Year: Turning the Page,” compares the disastrous leadership of the Trump administration and Republicans, whose policies led to millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths, with the steady hand of President Biden, who, along with Democrats, are leading us out of this crisis. 

“One year into the worst public health crisis in a generation, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are taking aggressive steps to end this pandemic by passing the American Rescue Plan and delivering direct relief, vaccines and health care benefits to Americans,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Elections matter and Americans are seeing the benefits of President Biden’s leadership. By electing President Biden and delivering Democrats the House and Senate, Americans made clear they were tired of the failed leadership of President Trump and Republicans who exacerbated this crisis by refusing to listen to experts, ignoring science and making reckless decisions that led to an economic disaster and hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths. With President Biden and Democrats in charge, we have leaders who are stepping up to get vaccines in people’s arms, cash into families’ pockets, reduce health care costs and kids back to school.” 

“After a year of failed leadership and reckless policies, you would think Republicans in Congress would want to prove they actually wanted to help their constituents out of this crisis, but by voting against direct checks and health care benefits, it’s clear they do not,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Every single Republcian will now have to defend their vote against the American Rescue Plan and explain why they voted to extend the suffering caused by this year-long crisis instead of joining Democrats and President Biden to bring it to an end. Republicans in Congress were the worst enablers of the Trump Administration’s dangerous actions that exacerbated the pandemic, and they will continue to pay a heavy price for their failed leadership.”

Ad script: 

2020.

The year we lost hugs.

Family dinners.

Couldn’t visit our loved ones in nursing homes.

Watched as nearly 500,000 Americans were lost.

Because Donald Trump and Republicans refused to take this seriously… Ignored the scientists… And failed to combat the virus.

It didn’t have to be this way. 

Thankfully, America is turning the page.

President Biden is getting  this virus under control and getting America back on track.

… more shots in more arms… 

schools and small businesses safely re-opening… 

making health care more affordable for millions…

and jumpstarting our economy so we can build back better and stronger than before.

The fight isn’t over yet. But for the first time in a year, we’re on the right track.

And America is coming back.

Thank you President Biden.

protectourcare
In Stories

HISTORIC VOTE: Democrats in Congress Pass Vital Pandemic Relief, Most Significant Health Care Reform in a Decade

American Rescue Plan Heads to President Biden’s Desk

Washington, DC — Today, Democrats in the House passed the Senate version of the American Rescue Plan, sending desperately needed pandemic relief and historic health care reform to President Biden’s desk. The American Rescue Plan includes measures to lower health care costs, expand coverage, and address inequities in care. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:

“Democrats in Congress have delivered a historic victory to Americans battling the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan has broad bipartisan support across the country because it will put money into the pockets of families struggling with the health and economic consequences of the pandemic, ensure more people get vaccinated, and help safely reopen schools and the economy. After years of Republican attacks on the Affordable Care Act, the American Rescue Plan includes the most significant health care reform in more than a decade, building on the ACA to provide lower health insurance premiums for millions, get more Americans covered, and help address racial inequities. While Republicans continue to oppose desperately needed pandemic relief, Democrats are delivering on their promises and enacting policies that will have a huge impact on the daily lives of Americans.”

BACKGROUND:

The American Rescue Plan Will Expand Coverage, Dramatically Reduce Health Care Costs For Americans

As part of the American Rescue Plan, Democrats included major provisions to lower health care costs and expand coverage, building on the strong foundation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This legislation will lower premiums for people purchasing coverage through the ACA marketplaces and expand access to financial assistance for more middle-class families. Additionally, the American Rescue Plan includes robust financial incentives for the 14 states that have not yet implemented Medicaid expansion. 

Making health insurance more affordable and accessible is especially important as the country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic and millions have lost their jobs and their health insurance. Measures to increase affordability also reduce racial disparities in health care access. Despite significant progress after the implementation of the ACA, Black and Hispanic adults are more likely than white adults to have low incomes and face financial barriers to receiving care.

Lower Costs: 

Increasing financial assistance on the ACA marketplaces means more people will be able to get the affordable coverage they need during the pandemic. Similar legislation previously passed by the House would lower costs for more than 10 million Americans and provide affordable options for uninsured Americans at a time when access to health care is paramount. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 1.3 million uninsured people will gain coverage as a result of these provisions alone. 

  • Guarantee coverage that costs less than 8.5 percent of income. This legislation lowers the cost of premiums for Americans purchasing coverage through the ACA marketplaces, ensuring enrollees have the option to purchase health care for less than 8.5 percent of their income for the next two years. 
  • Make coverage more affordable by temporarily expanding the eligibility for premium tax credits above 400 percent of the federal poverty level — roughly $51,000 for a single person or $105,000 for a family of four. Under current law, families earning just above 400 percent of the federal poverty level spend an average of 15 percent of their incomes on health insurance. According to estimates from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: 
    • The average 45-year-old earning $60,000 will save $86 in monthly premiums. 
    • A 60-year-old couple with a household income of $75,000 will save $1,389 in monthly premiums. 
    • A family of four with a household income of $120,000 will save $595 in monthly premiums. 
  • Improve affordability for low- and middle-income Americans by increasing the size of the tax credits for all income brackets for the next two years. This means a typical family of four with a household income of $75,000 will save $248 on monthly premiums, while a single adult earning $30,000 will save $110 per month. 
  • Eliminate premiums in the exchanges for people earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level (roughly $19,000 for a single person and $39,000 for a family of four) and for those receiving unemployment insurance in 2021. 

Expanded Coverage:

In addition to providing affordable coverage options for millions of uninsured Americans through the ACA, the American Rescue Plan provides robust financial incentives for the 14 states that have not yet implemented Medicaid expansion. Research confirms that Medicaid expansion increases access to care, improves financial security, and leads to better health outcomes. Medicaid expansion has played a vital role in reducing racial disparities in health care access and has served as a critical safety net during the pandemic. 

An estimated four million uninsured adults — including 640,000 frontline workers— could gain coverage if the remaining holdout states adopted expansion. Importantly, people of color make up nearly 60 percent of this group. 

protectourcare
In Stories

NEW REPORT: American Rescue Plan Will Help Women Recover From Pandemic

Washington, DC — Today, Protect Our Care released a new report detailing how the expansion of the Affordable Care Act included the American Rescue Plan will help women recover from the pandemic and improve their health care access for years to come. The American Rescue Plan provides desperately needed pandemic relief and key health care provisions that will lower health care costs, expand coverage, and address inequities in care. 

REPORT: Women & The American Rescue Plan

“Women have been disproportionately impacted by the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Women are both on the front lines of responding to the crisis as health care workers and on the front lines at home. The pandemic has caused a surge of women leaving the workforce to care for children, leaving many without health insurance,” said Protect Our Care Communications Director Anne Shoup. “Congress must pass the American Rescue Plan, President Biden’s COVID relief package that includes historic health care provisions to expand coverage and lower costs while addressing stark inequities in health care that have only been exacerbated by the pandemic. This report shows making health insurance more affordable and accessible is critical as we battle the pandemic, and just as the ACA did a decade ago, the American Rescue Plan will have profound impacts on women’s health care access and outcomes for years to come.”

protectourcare
In News

Senate Passes American Rescue Plan Improving Health Care and Providing Essential Pandemic Lifeline for Americans

Historic Legislation Contains Most Significant Health Care Reform in a Decade

Washington, DC — Today, the Senate passed the American Rescue Plan, providing desperately needed pandemic relief and historic measures to strengthen the Affordable Care Act. The American Rescue Plan includes key health care provisions that will lower health care costs, expand coverage, and address inequities in care. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:

“After shameless obstruction from Republican Senators, Senate Democrats did what needed to be done to fight the pandemic and restart our economy. The American Rescue Plan is a historic improvement to the American health care system. It will lower health insurance premiums for millions, get more Americans covered, and help address racial inequities. After a decade of Republicans waging a war on the Affordable Care Act, President Biden and Democrats are delivering on their promises to lower health care costs and expand coverage. The American Rescue Plan has overwhelming bipartisan support in red states and blue states, and it will get vaccines in people’s arms, cash into families’ pockets, and kids back to school. Republicans have shown they have no positive ideas and are willing to play games with people’s lives and livelihoods in the middle of a pandemic.” 

BACKGROUND:

The American Rescue Plan Will Expand Coverage, Dramatically Reduce Health Care Costs For Americans

As part of the American Rescue Plan, Democrats included major provisions to lower health care costs and expand coverage, building on the strong foundation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This legislation will lower premiums for people purchasing coverage through the ACA marketplaces and expand access to financial assistance for more middle-class families. Additionally, the American Rescue Plan includes robust financial incentives for the 14 states that have not yet implemented Medicaid expansion. 

Making health insurance more affordable and accessible is especially important as the country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic and millions have lost their jobs and their health insurance. Measures to increase affordability also reduce racial disparities in health care access. Despite significant progress after the implementation of the ACA, Black and Hispanic adults are more likely than white adults to have low incomes and face financial barriers to receiving care.

Lower Costs: 

Increasing financial assistance on the ACA marketplaces means more people will be able to get the affordable coverage they need during the pandemic. Similar legislation previously passed by the House would lower costs for more than 10 million Americans and provide affordable options for uninsured Americans at a time when access to health care is paramount. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 1.3 million uninsured people will gain coverage as a result of these provisions alone. 

  • Guarantee coverage that costs less than 8.5 percent of income. This legislation lowers the cost of premiums for Americans purchasing coverage through the ACA marketplaces, ensuring enrollees have the option to purchase health care for less than 8.5 percent of their income for the next two years. 
  • Make coverage more affordable by temporarily expanding the eligibility for premium tax credits above 400 percent of the federal poverty level — roughly $51,000 for a single person or $105,000 for a family of four. Under current law, families earning just above 400 percent of the federal poverty level spend an average of 15 percent of their incomes on health insurance. According to estimates from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: 
    • The average 45-year-old earning $60,000 will save $86 in monthly premiums. 
    • A 60-year-old couple with a household income of $75,000 will save $1,389 in monthly premiums. 
    • A family of four with a household income of $120,000 will save $595 in monthly premiums. 
  • Improve affordability for low- and middle-income Americans by increasing the size of the tax credits for all income brackets for the next two years. This means a typical family of four with a household income of $75,000 will save $248 on monthly premiums, while a single adult earning $30,000 will save $110 per month. 
  • Eliminate premiums in the exchanges for people earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level (roughly $19,000 for a single person and $39,000 for a family of four) and for those receiving unemployment insurance in 2021. 

Expanded Coverage:

In addition to providing affordable coverage options for millions of uninsured Americans through the ACA, the American Rescue Plan provides robust financial incentives for the 14 states that have not yet implemented Medicaid expansion. Research confirms that Medicaid expansion increases access to care, improves financial security, and leads to better health outcomes. Medicaid expansion has played a vital role in reducing racial disparities in health care access and has served as a critical safety net during the pandemic. 

An estimated four million uninsured adults — including 640,000 frontline workers— could gain coverage if the remaining holdout states adopted expansion. Importantly, people of color make up nearly 60 percent of this group. 

protectourcare
In News

Protect Our Care Hosts Nationwide Events to Hold Republicans Accountable for Delaying Much Needed Relief In the American Rescue Plan

Protect Our Care Has Held Events in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin

Senators Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI-2), Charlie Crist (D-FL-13), and Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), Mayors, State, and Local Elected Officials Joined Protect Our Care for Events

Over the last few weeks, Protect Our Care held over a dozen events nationwide calling for the urgent need for Congress to pass the American Rescue Plan to deliver $1,400 direct checks, money for vaccination distribution, and the expansion of affordable health care. While Republicans in the Senate continue to stall the American Rescue Plan, the key provisions in the legislation remain overwhelmingly popular among voters of all parties. Across the country, elected officials are calling on their senators to stop the political games and pass the American Rescue Plan.

Highlights and coverage from Protect Our Care’s events:

ALASKA

January 28, 2021 — American Rescue Plan Zoom Press Event with Health and Faith Community Advocates: Rev. Matt Schultz, of Christians for Equality, Jessica Cler, the Alaska State Director of Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawai’i, and Trevor Storrs, the Executive Director of Alaska Children’s Trust joined Protect Our Care Alaska for a virtual press conference to discuss how President Biden’s American Rescue Plan will provide desperately needed relief to Alaskans struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, and urge Congress to take immediate action to pass the plan. You can watch the event here.

FLORIDA

January 28, 2021 — American Rescue Plan Zoom Event with Congressman Ted Deutch, Small Business Owner, and Local Doctor: Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL-22nd District) and along with local residents joined Protect Our Care Florida for a virtual Zoom event to discuss how President Biden’s American Rescue Plan will provide desperately needed relief to Floridians struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic stretches into 2021, Floridians remain desperate for federal relief, and are urging swift action in Congress. You can watch the event here.

February 25, 2021 — American Rescue Plan Zoom Event with Congressman Charlie Crist and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor: Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13th) and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor joined Protect Our Care Florida for a virtual press conference to highlight the provisions of the American Rescue Plan that would deliver real relief to Floridians still struggling because of the pandemic, ahead of an expected vote on the legislation in House of Representatives. You can watch the event here.

  • Telemundo: Local Leaders Call for Rescue Plan
  • Florida Politics: Charlie Crist, Jane Castor push for COVID-19 stimulus package
  • WFTS (ABC): Tampa Mayor Urges Congress to Pass Relief

GEORGIA

February 4, 2021 — American Rescue Plan Virtual Press Event with Trio of Local Elected Officials: Three county commissioners in Georgia — DeKalb Commissioner Ted Terry, Gwinnett Commissioner Kirkland Carden, and Rome Commissioner Wendy Davis joined Protect Our Care Georgia for a virtual press conference to call on Congress to pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, and to highlight how cities and local communities, bearing the brunt of the national public health emergency, are desperate for meaningful federal relief. Gwinnett Commissioner Carden said, “Here we are in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime public health emergency, and Republicans are dragging their feet on giving Americans the leadership and resources we need during this pandemic.” You can watch the event here.

March 3, 2021 — American Rescue Plan Event with Four Georgia Mayors:  Four of Georgia’s mayors — Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr., South Fulton Mayor William ‘Bill’ Edwards, Brookhaven Mayor John A. Ernst, Jr., and Union City Mayor Vince R. Williams —  joined Protect Our Care Georgia for a virtual press conference to call on the Senate to pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, and provide desperately needed relief to Georgians. “A crisis of this magnitude requires bold federal response, and it is time for Congress to meet us at the moment and pass the American Rescue Plan,” said Union City Mayor Vince Williams, “If our federal leaders are totally committed to this, they need to get out from the halls of the capitol and face the realities that we see as mayors each and every day.” You can watch the event here.

  • FOX5 News: Georgia Mayors Call For Congress To Pass Covid-19 Stimulus Bill
  • CBS 12 Augusta: Segment on Georgia Mayors Calling for Congress to Pass American Rescue Plan
  • Atlanta Journal Constitution: The Jolt: Kemp Faces Test With GOP-backed Voting Restrictions
    • “A quartet of Georgia mayors are speaking out in favor of President Joe Biden’s coronavirus relief bill, which is currently in the hands of the U.S. Senate. Augusta’s Hardie Davis, South Fulton’s Bill Edwards, Brookhaven’s John Ernst and Union City’s Vince Williams will participate in a virtual press conference sponsored by Protect Our Care, a left-leaning healthcare advocacy group. They are the highest profile Georgia mayors to actively campaign for the new $1.9 trillion relief bill, called the American Rescue Plan.” [AJC, 3/3/21]

MAINE

February 5, 2021 — American Rescue Press Call with State Senate Leader Troy Jackson and Advocates: Maine State Senate Leader Troy Jackson joined Kate Ende with Consumers for Affordable Health Care, Marie Follayttar with Mainers for Accountable Leadership, and Protect Our Care Maine for a press call to discuss why Mainers need Congress to pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan a quickly as possible. “Our budgets and bills are moral documents that lay bare our elected officials’ priorities,” said Marie Follayttar of Mainers for Accountable Leadership, who urged Maine’s congressional delegation to stand up for those struggling across the state. “You either care about the people, and vote to make sure that their needs are met, or you don’t care about the people. It is that simple.” You can listen to an audio recording here.

NORTH CAROLINA

January 26, 2021 — American Rescue Plan Press Call w/ Representative Carla Cunningham and Healthcare Advocate Montica Talmadge: Representative Carla Cunningham and healthcare advocate Montica Talmadge joined Protect Our Care North Carolina for a press call to discuss how President Biden’s American Rescue Plan will provide desperately needed relief to North Carolinians struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan will deliver much-needed relief to families, provide support for struggling state and local governments, jumpstart a nationwide vaccination program, and rebuild our communities. You can listen to an audio recording here.

March 3, 2021 — American Rescue Plan Event with State and Local Officials and Advocates: North Carolina State Representative Carla Cunningham, Wake County Commissioner Maria Cervania, and local advocates joined Protect Our Care North Carolina for a virtual press conference to urge the Senate to pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, and provide desperately needed relief to North Carolina families. The American Rescue Plan also would provide federal resources for North Carolina to expand its Medicaid program. Rep. Cunningham mentioned how expanding Medicaid would be a huge boost for the state. “This plan will provide financial incentives for states like North Carolina to finally expand Medicaid…doing so would benefit children, adults, seniors, and those with disabilities,” said Cunningham. You can listen to an audio recording here.

OHIO

January 26, 2021 — American Rescue Plan Event w/ State and Local Electeds and Advocates: Mayor Nan Whaley, Rep. Beth Liston, and Ohio advocates joined Protect Our Care Ohio for a virtual press conference to discuss how President Biden’s American Rescue Plan will deliver much-needed relief to families, provide support for struggling state and local governments, jumpstart a nationwide vaccination program, and rebuild our communities. You can watch the event here.

March 1, 2021 — American Rescue Plan Event with Senator Sherrod Brown, Chillicothe Mayor Feeney, Local Elected Officials and Advocates: Senator Sherrod Brown joined other Ohio elected officials and advocates, Protect Our Care Ohio and For Our Future Ohio for a virtual press conference to urge the U.S. Senate to pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. “Workers and their families need to see their government work for them, now,” said U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. “And this rescue plan must be the beginning of our work to deliver results that empower people and make their lives better, not the end.”  Desiree Tims, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio added, “we need Congress to pass this bill because it is the right thing to do, but we also need to remember it is the popular thing to do. The vast majority of Americans support this legislation; they support taking big, bold action to help their friends, family, and neighbors who they see everyday struggling to make ends meet.” You can watch the event here.

PENNSYLVANIA

February 18, 2021 — American Rescue Plan Event with Senator Bob Casey and Bipartisan Local Officials and Advocates: Senator Bob Casey, Lebanon County Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz, Pike County Commissioner Matt Osterberg, and local advocates joined Protect Our Care Pennsylvania for a virtual press conference to urge Congress to pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, and provide relief to the many families, health care workers, and Pennsylvanians who are struggling across the state. Senator Casey stressed the importance of Congress taking swift action to deliver immediate relief, saying ,“no family, when faced with the greatest threat to public health of our generation and the accompanying economic crisis, should have to worry about being uninsured or not being able to afford insurance.” You can watch the event here.

WISCONSIN

January 28, 2021 — American Rescue Plan Event with Congressman Mark Pocan, Milwaukee County Executive Crowley and Nurses: Rep. Mark Pocan, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, and front line nurses joined Protect Our Care Wisconsin for a virtual press conference to discuss how President Biden’s American Rescue Plan will provide desperately needed relief to Wisconsinites struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the event, Congressman Rep. Mark Pocan praised the Biden administration’s early moves to confront the pandemic and its impact before noting that Congress has the responsibility to act in order to free up the resources necessary to support taxpayers, business owners, and local units of government. “We (Congress) didn’t take that responsibility seriously enough in the past thanks to Mitch McConnell,” said Pocan. “Now, we’ve got to.” You can watch the event here.

  • Up North News: Nurses, Elected Officials Say Fast Action Is Needed on Biden’s Stimulus Proposal

March 1, 2021 — American Recuse Plan Event with State Treasurer Godlewski, Mayor Cory Mason, and Advocates: State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, Racine Mayor Cory Mason, UW-Green Bay Professor Jon Shelton, and Sunny Kurhajetz, a municipal employee from Madison joined Protect Our Care Wisconsin and For Our Future Wisconsin for a virtual press conference to call on the U.S. Senate to pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, and provide desperately needed relief to Wisconsinites. “There are some ideologues who claim that this package is too big — these folks are clearly trapped in the Washington bubble and disconnected from the economic pain that household budgets are facing,” said Wisconsin State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski. “The risk is not doing too much, it’s doing too little.” You can watch the event here.

  • Up North News: Progressive Groups Continue Push for Approving a Biden Stimulus Plan, Citing Ongoing Need and Widespread Support
  • Wispolitics.com PM Report: State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski slammed members of Congress who oppose the federal pandemic relief for being “trapped in the Washington bubble.”

Upcoming Events:

MAINE

March 5, 2021 at 3:00 PM – Lawmakers and Health Care Advocates To Urge Congress to Provide Relief for Struggling Mainers: Lawmakers and local advocates will join Protect Our Care Maine for a press call to urge Congress to pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, and provide desperately needed relief to Mainers. Join the call at 3:00pm ET by dialing into 877-229-8493, pin #114927.

protectourcare
In News

IN THE NEWS: Robust Start to President Biden’s Special Enrollment Period Shows Americans Need Health Care Coverage During Pandemic

This week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a report showing more than 206,000 Americans signed up for insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace during the first two weeks of the special enrollment period President Biden enacted allowing Americans to get covered during the pandemic. These numbers demonstrate people need and want affordable health insurance, especially in the middle of a pandemic when millions have lost their jobs and their health insurance. News reports show that Americans are turning to the affordable health insurance available to them because President Biden delivered on his promise and opened a special enrollment period under the ACA. 

CNN: Sign-Ups For Biden’s Obamacare Special Enrollment Period Nearly Triple. “More than 206,000 people signed up for Affordable Care Act policies on the federal exchange in the first two weeks of the special enrollment period ordered by President Joe Biden, federal data released Wednesday shows. Uninsured Americans who want to buy 2021 coverage on healthcare.gov could start doing so on February 15, thanks to an executive order Biden signed in January.” [CNN, 3/3/21] 

  • CNN: The Biden Administration Is “Pouring $50 Million Into Marketing And Outreach To Let People Know About The Opportunity.” “Biden, however, reopened enrollment to give the uninsured another chance to select policies during the coronavirus pandemic, and his administration is pouring $50 million into marketing and outreach to let people know about the opportunity. CMS is also providing about $2.3 million to 30 navigator organizations to assist consumers with enrollment, the agency announced this week. Former President Donald Trump refused to launch a special enrollment period when the pandemic hit last year and slashed the Affordable Care Act’s marketing and navigator budgets throughout his term.” [CNN, 3/3/21] 

Washington Post: More Than 200,000 Americans Sign Up For ACA Health Plans During Special Enrollment Period. “More than 200,000 Americans signed up for Affordable Care Act health plans during the first two weeks of an extended enrollment period President Biden ordered to help more people find insurance amid the economic ripple effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Figures released Wednesday by federal health officials show the number of consumers who chose coverage through HealthCare.gov from Feb. 15 to Feb. 28 — 206,236 — was nearly three times higher than during the same period last year and roughly 3½ times greater than in 2019.” [Washington Post, 3/3/21] 

Associated Press: Biden Encouraged By Consumer Interest In ‘Obamacare’ Offer. “In a solid start, more than 200,000 people signed up for coverage the first two weeks after President Joe Biden reopened HealthCare.gov as part of his coronavirus response, the government said Wednesday. Early consumer interest in the three-month special enrollment period shows pent-up demand for health insurance a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, with many people still unemployed or unable to work as many hours as before.” [Associated Press, 3/4/21] 

  • Larry Levitt, Executive Vice President For Health Policy At The Kaiser Family Foundation, Said “This Special Enrollment Period Could Make A Meaningful Dent In The Number Of People Uninsured.” “If the pace keeps up, ‘this special enrollment period could make a meaningful dent in the number of people uninsured,’ said Larry Levitt, who tracks health insurance for the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation. ‘The enrollment numbers so far are stronger than I would have expected.'” [Associated Press, 3/4/21] 

Healthcare Finance: More Than 200,000 Take Advantage Of ACA Special Enrollment Period. “President Joe Biden, unlike his Republican predecessor Donald Trump, supports the Affordable Care that was signed into law when he was vice president to President Barack Obama. During his campaign, Biden promised to strengthen the ACA and to offer a public health insurance option.” [Healthcare FInance, 3/3/21] 

The Hill: Over 200K Sign Up For ACA Plans During Biden Special Enrollment Period. “Americans want health insurance. More than 200,000 people signed up for health coverage on federal ObamaCare exchanges in the first two weeks of a special pandemic enrollment period, according to federal statistics released Wednesday…According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the number of signups from Feb. 15 to Feb. 28 was nearly three times higher than during the same period last year, when only 76,000 people signed up.” [The Hill, 3/3/21] 

USA Today: Obamacare Sign-Ups Increase During Special Enrollment Period For COVID-19. “More than 206,000 Americans signed up for health insurance through the federally run HealthCare.gov in the first two weeks of the three-month special enrollment period created by President Joe Biden, the administration announced Wednesday. That compares with about 76,000 who enrolled during the same period last year, when people could only pick a plan if they had a special circumstance, such as a job loss.” [USA Today, 3/3/21] 

protectourcare
In News

Senate Finance Committee Advances Becerra’s Historic Nomination

Washington, DC — Today, the Senate Finance Committee voted to advance the nomination of President Biden’s highly qualified pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra. Becerra has decades of experience and was instrumental in the passage of the Affordable Care Act when he served in the House. As California’s attorney general, Becerra also led the charge to protect Americans’ health care against constant, baseless Republican attacks. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:

“Xavier Becerra has proven he is uniquely qualified to serve as HHS Secretary. Becerra was an architect of the ACA, and he has been a staunch defender of the health care law as California’s attorney general. As the first Latino selected for this role, Becerra’s nomination is historic — especially at a time when our country is battling the coronavirus pandemic, which has disproportionately impacted communities of color. President Biden needs his health care team in place as soon as possible, and Becerra is ready to hit the ground running on day one to get the pandemic under control, build on the ACA, and protect the health of Americans. The Senate should vote to confirm Becerra immediately.” 

protectourcare
In News

Special Enrollment Period Numbers Show Americans Want and Need Affordable Insurance As They Battle the Pandemic

More Than 206,000 People Got Covered in First Two Weeks

Washington, DC — Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a report showing more than 206,000 Americans signed up for insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace during the first two weeks of the special enrollment period President Biden enacted after taking office. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“President Biden’s decision to open the Affordable Care Act Marketplace for business is making a huge difference for hundreds of thousands of Americans. People need affordable health insurance, especially in the middle of a pandemic when millions have lost their jobs and their health insurance. These numbers show that Americans need and want the affordable health insurance they can now get because President Biden delivered on his promise and opened a special enrollment period under the ACA. Democrats are about to pass the American Rescue Plan, which includes the most significant expansion of health care in a decade. The ARP will make Marketplace insurance even more affordable by reducing premiums for over 10 million Americans, yet Republicans would rather play political games than help their own constituents. It’s disgraceful.”

Close Menu