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Surrounding the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on March 23, Protect Our Care is holding 10 days of action to raise awareness of the most critical components of the law which has improved the lives of millions of Americans. Working with partner organizations and health care advocates, Protect Our Care will highlight a different aspect of the law each day while making clear what’s at stake if the Trump administration is successful in overturning the law through the courts.  

“The Affordable Care Act has been an incredibly positive force for Americans over the last 10 years, particularly in improving access to care and financial stability,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Over the course of these 10 days of action, Protect Our Care will remind Americans how the ACA has improved the lives of millions while making clear that President Trump and Republicans’ lawsuit to overturn the law poses an existential threat to Americans’ health care.” 

Days of Action: Day 9 of 10 focuses on Affordable Coverage. To learn more about our days of action, visit our website.

The ACA Included Key Affordability Measures: 

• Insurers can no longer charge more because of a pre-existing condition. Because of the ACA, insurers in the individual market can no longer drop or deny coverage, or charge you more because of a pre-existing condition. More than 135 million Americans have a pre-existing health condition. Additionally, insurers can no longer put annual or lifetime limits on the care you receive.
• About 9 million Americans receive tax credits to help them afford coverage. Because of the ACA, most people getting coverage on the marketplace qualify for tax credits to help pay for coverage. 8.9 million of the ACA’s 11.4 million marketplace enrollees receive premium tax credits.
• Seniors save more on prescription drugs. Because of the ACA, the Medicare prescription drug donut hole is closed. From 2010 to 2016, “More than 11.8 million Medicare beneficiaries have received discounts over $26.8 billion on prescription drugs – an average of $2,272 per beneficiary,” according to a January 2017 Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Services report.
• Women can no longer be charged more than men for the same coverage. Prior to the ACA, women were often charged premiums on the nongroup market of up to 50 percent higher than men for the same coverage. Before the ACA, 1 in 5 women reported postponing or going without preventive care due to cost.
• Most privately-insured Americans receive free preventive care. Because of the ACA, health plans must cover preventive services — like flu shots, cancer screenings, contraception, and mammograms – at no cost to consumers. This includes nearly 137 million Americans, most of whom have employer coverage.
• More than 60 million people have access to birth control with no out-of-pocket fees. The ACA guarantees that private health plans cover 18 methods of contraception and make them available to 62.4 million patients with no out-of-pocket costs. In addition to increasing access to this essential treatment, this ACA provision has saved money for women and their families: women saved $1.4 billion on birth control pills alone in 2013.

If The Texas Lawsuit Succeeds, The Individual Marketplace And Financial Assistance That Helps Individuals Purchase Health Insurance Will Be Eliminated. 

According to the Urban Institute, 19.9 million people could lose coverage by repealing the Affordable Care Act, meaning the number of uninsured Americans would increase from 30.4 million to 50.3 million, representing a leading to a 65 percent increase in the uninsured rate. As the uninsured rate swells, so will the amount of uncompensated care, which Urban predicts will grow by at least 82 percent.

Nine Million People In The Marketplaces Would Pay More For Coverage. Nearly 9 million people would lose financial assistance that helps them purchase health care in the marketplace. In 2019, the average monthly premium tax credit was $514. 

Protect Our Care marked the 10-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act with a groundswell of activity including press calls and op-eds across the country highlighting the importance of the law on this landmark anniversary. In addition to holding a national press call today with Speaker Pelosi today, Protect Our Care was joined by elected officials and health care advocates across nine states for press calls to bring attention to the overwhelming benefits of the Affordable Care Act over the past 10 years and to highlight ongoing threats to the ACA including the lawsuit from Trump and Republicans to overturn the law in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. 

PRESS CALLS HAPPENING TODAY:

NATIONAL

Monday, March 23rd – ACA Anniversary Press Call With Speaker Pelosi
On the 10-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14), former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Laura Packard, a stage four cancer survivor, along with Protect Our Care held a press call to highlight the passage of the landmark law and show what’s at stake for Americans if President Trump and Republicans overturn the ACA as the nation grapples with the coronavirus. Listen to the call here. 

National op-ed:
USA Today // Laura Packard // Opinion: I’d be bankrupt or dead without the Affordable Care Act. We’re both survivors — so far.

IN THE STATES

IOWA

Monday, March 23rd – Iowa ACA Anniversary Press Call
Iowans, advocates, and local elected officials from across the state will join Protect Our Care, Progress Iowa, Iowa Citizen Action Network, and Iowa Voices for a press call to mark the ten-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at a time when the threat of the coronavirus reminds us all of the importance of everyone having access to quality and affordable health coverage.

Iowa op-eds:
Des Moines Register // State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst // Affordable Care Act, now 10 years old, is more important than ever because of coronavirus

MAINE

Monday, March 23 – Press Call with Maine Leaders and Advocates
State Senate President Troy Jackson will join Protect Our Care for a press call to mark the ten-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at a time when the threat of the coronavirus reminds us all of the importance of everyone having access to quality and affordable health coverage.

NORTH CAROLINA

Monday, March 23 – ACA Anniversary Press Call with Reps. Butterfield and Price
On Monday, March 23rd at 7:00pm, Rep. David Price and Rep. G.K. Butterfield will join Protect Our Care, Action NC, Mom’s Rising, and Little Lobbyists for a call to mark the ten-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at a time when the threat of the coronavirus reminds us all of the importance of everyone having access to quality and affordable health coverage.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Monday, March 23 – ACA Anniversary Press Call
Covering New Hampshire and Protect Our Care NH will offer a press call to mark the ten-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at a time when the threat of the coronavirus reminds us all of the importance of everyone having access to quality and affordable health coverage.

Coverage:
New Hampshire Union Leader // Advocates celebrate 10 years of Obamacare, seek special enrollment to deal with COVID-19

New Hampshire op-eds:
The Conway Daily Sun // Jayme Henriques Simoes // Saving ACA more critical with new virus
Concord Monitor // Jayme Henriques Simoes // My Turn: Especially now, Granite Staters rely on the ACA 

MINNESOTA

Monday, March 23 – ACA Anniversary Press Call with Attorney General Ellison
Protect Our Care Minnesota was joined by Attorney General Keith Ellison, Assistant Senate DFL Leader Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, State Rep. Kelly Morrison, M.D., DFL-Deephaven, and community advocate Jessica Intermill to mark the passage of the Affordable Care Act 10 years ago, discuss how the law improved access to health care for Minnesotans, and talk about the role the ACA plays in ongoing coronavirus response efforts despite continued efforts to eliminate the law. Listen to the call here. 

NEVADA

Monday, March 23 – Nevada ACA Anniversary Press Call
Today, Protect Our Care Nevada was joined by State Sen. Yvanna Cancela, State Assemblyman Edgar Flores, insurance broker Alberto Ochoa, and cancer survivor Joe Merlino to mark the passage of the Affordable Care Act 10 years ago, discuss how the law improved access to health care for Nevadans, and talk about the role the ACA plays in ongoing coronavirus response efforts despite Republicans’ continued efforts to eliminate the law. Listen to the call here. 

Nevada op-eds:
Las Vegas Sun // Rep. Dina Titus // Now is the time to strengthen and fight for the Affordable Care Act

ARIZONA

Monday, March 23 – Arizona ACA Anniversary Press Call
Today, Protect Our Care Arizona was joined by Representative Kelli Butler and State Senator Tony Navarrette to mark the passage of the Affordable Care Act 10 years ago, discuss how the law improved access to health care for Arizonans, and talk about the role the ACA plays in ongoing coronavirus response efforts despite Republicans’ continued efforts to eliminate the law. Listen to the call here.

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin op-ed:
Up North News // Leslie Dach // Opinion: Protect Our Care From Ongoing Republican Attacks

PRESS CALLS LAST WEEK:

GEORGIA

Friday, March 20 – Georgia ACA Anniversary Press Call
On Friday, March 20, Protect Our Care Georgia joined Georgians for a Healthy Future to discuss the importance of the Affordable Care Act for Georgians, especially amid the current global pandemic. Speakers included State Rep. Kim Schofield, Dr. Michelle Au, Dr. Jamie Weisman, and Cindy Pursley, a cancer survivor who relies on the ACA for care. They called on Governor Kemp to expand Medicaid and on Attorney General Chris Carr to remove Georgia from the Texas vs. United States lawsuit. Listen to the call audio here.

COLORADO

Thursday, March 19 – Colorado ACA Anniversary Press Call
Protect Our Care Colorado and Rocky Mountain Values hosted a press call joined by Rep. Dr. Yadira Caraveo, Sheena Kadi of One Colorado, Adam Fox of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI), and activist Laura Packard to mark the passage of the Affordable Care Act 10 years ago, discuss how the law improved access to health care for Coloradans, and talk about the role the ACA plays in ongoing coronavirus response efforts despite Republicans’ continued efforts to eliminate the law. Listen to the call here. 

Colorado op-eds:
West Word // Gale Devore // Op-Ed: Colorado Banned High-Priced Insulin, Now Congress Needs to Act
Colorado Sun // Laura Packard and Dafna Michaelson Jenet // Opinion: The ACA changed how we treat cancer — and it is all at risk because of our current leadership

Speaker Pelosi Joined Protect Our Care on a Press Call to Highlight Landmark Anniversary of the ACA and Discuss the Ongoing Threats to the Law That Put Americans at Risk During the Coronavirus Pandemic 

Call Audio Available Here

Washington, DC — On the 10-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14), former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Laura Packard, a stage four cancer survivor, along with Protect Our Care held a press call to highlight the passage of the landmark law and show what’s at stake for Americans if President Trump and Republicans overturn the ACA as the nation grapples with the coronavirus. 

On the call, Speaker Pelosi reflected on the progress made since the passage of the ACA and made clear the importance of strengthening and protecting the law. Just this month, the Supreme Court announced it would hear the Trump-Republican lawsuit to repeal the ACA in its upcoming term, which if successful would strip coverage from 20 million Americans and eliminate protections for 135 million with pre-existing conditions. This means that during a time when Americans face unprecedented threats to their health as a result of President Trump’s failure to prepare America for the coronavirus, Republicans are still dead set on ripping away their health care.

“Ten years ago we passed this law and took a monumental step forward for the health care and financial safety of the American people,” said Speaker Pelosi. “House Democrats have been leading the way to defend and enhance the law. Instead of joining us to strengthen the law, the Trump Administration is in court again to tear it down entirely and we cannot let that happen. This is both a happy day for what we did then and it’s a challenging day for what the Trump Administration is still doing to dismantle the law at a time when we couldn’t need it more. Today I am urging President Trump withdraw from the lawsuit in the Supreme Court that, if successful, would return to lifetime limits on coverage, remove essential health benefits, open up the prescription drug donut hole, take young people off their parents insurance, and allow Americans with pre-existing conditions to be discriminated against in terms of health care and costs.”

“Ten years ago we made affordable health care a reality by expanding coverage to millions of Americans who were uninsured and protecting people with pre-existing conditions. This is an historic achievement worthy of commemoration,” said Senator Bob Casey. “However, our work does not stop there. For the past 10 years, Congressional Republicans have continued their efforts to dismantle consumer protections for people with pre-existing conditions, destroy the ACA through the courts and defund the law by making it harder for Americans to sign up for health care plans. These efforts are even more obscene when we are in the midst of a global public health pandemic. The best way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the ACA would be for Republicans to announce that they are dropping their lawsuit. I will not stop fighting to protect the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”

“Ten years ago we took an enormous step to improve the lives of the American people and progress our country’s health care system. Because of the Affordable Care Act, more than 20 million more Americans have access to quality, affordable coverage, millions of people like me with a preexisting condition don’t have to live in fear, young people can stay on their parents’ health insurance, Medicaid has been expanded, and preventative services are available without out-of-pocket costs,” said Congresswoman Lauren Underwood. “As we take a moment to celebrate this momentous anniversary today, let us only allow it to be a moment. The work of ten years ago continues today and is more important than ever as Republicans and now this Administration have worked themselves breathless trying to take healthcare away from millions of Americans in Congress and in the courts. We need to work together to lower health care and prescription drug costs, expand access to mental health services, and improve the quality of health care. At this very moment we are experiencing a global pandemic that serves as a stark reminder of the value of our personal health, our family’s health, and the health of our communities.”

“We’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ACA but the fight to save the law began the day the bill was signed and continues to this day with the Texas lawsuit that could strike down all of the benefits that people have received over the last 10 years,” said former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Here in the midst of the coronavirus, health care again is front and center in people’s minds and we need to remind people that this administration is trying to take health care away from Americans.”

“Ten years after the ACA was signed into law, the fate of 135 million people with pre-existing conditions hangs in the balance – many of us uninsurable without it, and many will not survive without insurance,” said Laura Packard, stage four cancer survivor and health care advocate. “Millions more Americans will join the ranks of people with pre-existing conditions too, if they develop long term damage from coronavirus. And many millions more have lost health insurance when they lost their jobs in the last few days.”

“Because of the Affordable Care Act 20 million Americans have access to quality, affordable health care and 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions have the protections they need,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Now more than ever, we must all work to protect our health care against President Trump’s and the Republican’s ongoing attacks. Despite the progress made under the law, President Trump and Republicans remain dead set on ripping it apart and stripping millions of their health coverage, even as we confront the threat of coronavirus made worse by the Trump administration’s disastrous response. President Trump must immediately drop his Texas lawsuit.”

Surrounding the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on March 23, Protect Our Care is holding 10 days of action to raise awareness of the most critical components of the law which has improved the lives of millions of Americans. Working with partner organizations and health care advocates, Protect Our Care will highlight a different aspect of the law each day while making clear what’s at stake if the Trump administration is successful in overturning the law through the courts.  

“The Affordable Care Act has been an incredibly positive force for Americans over the last 10 years, especially in implementing protections for people with pre-existing conditions,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Over the course of these 10 days of action, Protect Our Care will remind Americans how the ACA has improved the lives of millions while making clear that President Trump and Republicans’ lawsuit to overturn the law poses an existential threat to Americans’ health care.” 

Days of Action: Day 8 of 10 focuses on Protections For Pre-Existing Conditions. To learn more about our days of action, visit our website

The Affordable Care Act implemented key protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Ten years later, these protections are some of the most popular provisions in the health care law. 

• According to a recent analysis by the Center for American Progress, roughly half of nonelderly Americans, or as many as 135 million people, have a pre-existing condition. This includes:
  • 44 million people who have high blood pressure
  • 45 million people who have behavioral health disorders
  • 44 million people who have high cholesterol
  • 34 million people who have asthma and chronic lung disease
  • 34 million people who have osteoarthritis and other joint disorders
• More than 17 million children, 68 million women, and 32 million people aged 55-64 have a pre-existing condition.

Before the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies routinely denied people coverage because of a pre-existing condition or canceled coverage when a person got sick.

Conditions That Could Cost You Your Care: AIDS/HIV Alcohol/drug Abuse Cerebral Palsy Cancer Heart Disease Diabetes Epilepsy Kidney Disease Severe Epilepsy Sleep Apnea Pregnancy Muscular Dystrophy Depression Eating Disorders Bipolar Disorder

Jobs You Could Be Denied Coverage Because Of: Active military personnel Air traffic controller Body guard Pilot Meat packers Taxi cab drivers Steel metal workers Law enforcement  Oil and gas exploration Scuba divers

Medications That You Could Be Denied Health Care For Taking: Anti-arthritic medications Anti-diabetic medications (including insulin) Anti-cancer medications Anti-coagulant and anti-thrombotic medications Medication for autism Anti-psychotics Medications for HIV/AIDS Growth hormone Medication used to treat arthritis, anemia, and narcolepsy Fertility Medication

The ACA Includes Four Key Provisions That Protect People With Pre-Existing Conditions: 

• COVERAGE GUARANTEE: Rule that forbids insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. 
• COST: Rule that prevents insurers from charging people with pre-existing conditions more. 
• ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS: Requirements that insurance companies cover essential health benefits, such as prescription drugs and maternity care.
• LIFETIME CAPS: Ban on insurance companies having lifetime caps on coverage.

Republicans Want To Put Insurance Companies Back In Charge, Ending Protections For The 135 Million People With Pre-Existing Conditions.

Repeated attempts to undermine and sabotage the ACA puts protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions at risk. Moreover, the Trump administration is backing a lawsuit seeking to overturn the entire health care law. WIthout the ACA, protections for pre-existing conditions would be eliminated overnight and the uninsured rate would increase by 65 percent. 

More Than 140 Million Could Once Again Have To Pay For Preventative Care. Because of the ACA, health plans must cover preventive services — like flu shots, cancer screenings, contraception, and mammograms – at no cost to consumers. More than 140 million Americans are enrolled in plans that provide free preventive services, including 133 million people with employer coverage. 

Premium Surcharges Could Once Again Be In The Six Figures. Thanks to the Republican lawsuit, insurance companies can charge people more because of a pre-existing condition. The House-passed repeal bill had a similar provision, and an analysis by the Center for American Progress found that insurers could charge up to $4,270 more for asthma, $17,060 more for pregnancy, $26,180 more for rheumatoid arthritis and $140,510 more for metastatic cancer.

Reinstate Lifetime And Annual Limits On 109 Million Privately Insured Americans. Repealing the Affordable Care Act means insurance companies would be able to impose annual and lifetime limits on coverage for those insured through their employer or on the individual market. In 2009, prior to the implementation of the ACA, 59 percent of workers covered by employer-sponsored health plans had a lifetime limit. 

Insurance Companies Would Not Have To Provide The Coverage You Need. The Affordable Care Act made comprehensive coverage more available by requiring insurance companies to include “essential health benefits” in their plans, such as maternity care, hospitalization, substance abuse care and prescription drug coverage. Before the ACA, people had to pay extra for separate coverage for these benefits. For example, in 2013, 75 percent of non-group plans did not cover maternity care, 45 percent did not cover substance abuse disorder services, and 38 percent did not cover mental health services. Six percent did not even cover generic drugs.

Washington, DC — Today, on the eve of the 10-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act, President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing the lawsuit that would overturn the ACA in the courts saying, “what we want to do is terminate it.” If successful, this lawsuit would rip coverage away from 20 million Americans and end protections for 135 million people with pre-existing conditions. This comes at a time when America faces an unprecedented health care crisis and it’s more important than ever that people have access to affordable, quality health care. Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach released the following statement in response: 

“It’s outrageous that President Trump would reaffirm his commitment to the lawsuit that would rip coverage away from 20 million Americans during a briefing about an ongoing unprecedented health crisis. No one should have to worry about the status of their health care, particularly during a time when Americans are more concerned than ever about their health and safety. To effectively fight the coronavirus, we need to ensure that people are getting the care and treatment they need. Instead, President Trump wants to rip coverage and vital protections away from the most vulnerable among us at a time when they need it the most.”

BACKGROUND:

View the full fact sheet on Trump-Republican lawsuit to overturn the ACA HERE.

If the Affordable Care Act is struck down:

• GONE: Protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. The uninsured rate will increase by 65 percent. 
• GONE: Medicaid expansion, which covers 17 million people. 
• GONE: Nearly 12 million seniors will have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare ‘donut hole’ will be reopened.
• GONE: 2.3 million adult children will no longer be able to stay on their parents’ insurance. 
• GONE: Insurance companies will be able to charge women 50 percent more than men.
• GONE: Financial assistance that helps 9 million people purchase health care in the marketplace.
• GONE: Key support for rural hospitals. As Americans lose coverage, already struggling hospitals will be hit even harder as their costs increase.

POC Also Highlights How the ACA Helps Fight the Coronavirus and the Devastating Consequences of Overturning the Law in the Midst of the Crisis

March 23 is the 10-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act and there has never been a more important time to highlight the benefits of the law and the ongoing Trump Republican efforts to sabotage and repeal the law, particularly in light of the coronavirus crisis. 

This month, the Supreme Court announced it would hear the Trump-Republican lawsuit to repeal the ACA in its upcoming term, which if successful would strip coverage from 20 million Americans and eliminate protections for 135 million with pre-existing conditions. During a time when Americans face unprecedented threats to their health as a result of President Trump’s failure to prepare America for the coronavirus, Republicans remain dead set on ripping away their health care. 

“There is no question that the Affordable Care Act has been an incredibly positive force for Americans over the last 10 years, yet so much is at stake as Republicans try to overturn it in the midst of America grappling with the coronavirus pandemic,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “President Trump and Republicans need to understand just how devastating their war on health care has been and will continue to be especially as Americans’ health care is threatened more than ever with the spread of coronavirus.” 

“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more than 20 million Americans have health coverage and 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions are guaranteed health insurance that they can afford,” said Protect Our Care Chair, Leslie Dach. “It is unimaginable that President Trump wants to take that coverage away from millions of people when they need them the most.” 

In the lead up to the anniversary Protect Our Care Our’s work has highlighted the ACA’s achievements, the devastating consequences of overturning the law, and the specific ways in which those consequences are amplified as America grapples with coronavirus including a series of memos, and fact sheets. We have also held press calls in key battleground states with elected officials and health care advocates to bring attention to how the Trump-Republican war on health care is affecting people in communities across the country. 

Here are some resources that make the connection between the Trump-Republican sabotage efforts and how the damage of their war on health care is amplified during this crisis: 

MEMO: ACA at 10 Successes and Ongoing Threats on the 10th Anniversary of Its Passage

Key points: During a time when Americans face unprecedented threats to their health as a result of President Trump’s failure to contain the virus, Republicans are still trying to rip away their health care and leave 20 million of Americans uninsured and 135 million with pre-existing conditions without protections.

Trump’s Sabotage Of The ACA Leaves The U.S. Less Prepared For Coronavirus

Key points: Trump is backing a lawsuit that could rip way coverage from 20 million Americans during the middle of the outbreak. He is also pushing short-term junk plans that would not need to cover coronavirus treatment and continues to undermine Medicaid expansion, leaving more Americans uninsured. 

Top Ways The ACA Helps Fight Coronavirus

Key points: From free preventative care, to coverage for 20 million Americans, protections for pre-existing conditions and access to critical vaccinations without cost sharing, along with so many other important areas of coverage, there’s no question the ACA plays an essential role in providing affordable health care to Americans during this crisis. 

Fact Sheet On Trump’s Lawsuit To Overturn The ACA
Key points: President Trump is trying to rip apart our health care by going to court to eliminate the Affordable Care Act in its entirety. If the Trump lawsuit is successful, it will strip coverage from 20 million Americans, raise premiums, end protections for 150 million people with pre-existing conditions, put insurance companies back in charge, and force seniors to pay more for prescription drugs.

ACA at 10 Fact Sheets

Key points: Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on March 23, Protect Our Care is holding 10 days of action to raise awareness of the most critical components of the law which has improved the lives of millions of Americans. 

Fact sheets found here: 

1. Affordability
2. Children’s Coverage
3. Expanded Coverage 
4. Protections For Individuals With Disabilities 
5. Prescription Drug Costs
6. Medicaid Expansion
7. Protections For Pre-Existing Conditions
8. Rural Health
9. Seniors
10. Women’s Health

Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on March 23, Protect Our Care is holding 10 days of action to raise awareness of the most critical components of the law which has improved the lives of millions of Americans. Working with partner organizations and health care advocates, Protect Our Care will highlight a different aspect of the law each day while making clear what’s at stake if the Trump administration is successful in overturning the law through the courts.  

“The Affordable Care Act has been an incredibly positive force for Americans over the last 10 years, particularly in improving coverage and health care access for millions of people with disabilities across the country,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Over the course of these 10 days of action, Protect Our Care will remind Americans how the ACA has improved the lives of millions while making clear that President Trump and Republicans’ lawsuit to overturn the law poses an existential threat to Americans’ health care.” 

Days of Action: Day 7 of 10 focuses on Protections For Individuals With Disabilities. To learn more about our days of action, visit our website

The Affordable Care Act Provided Affordable Coverage And Health Security To People With Disabilities: 

The Affordable Care Act Prevents Insurance Companies From Charging Americans With Disabilities More, Or Denying Them Coverage Altogether. Prior to the ACA, insurance companies were allowed to charge people more or deny coverage simply because they had a pre-existing condition. The ACA banned this practice, requiring that insurance companies offer people coverage regardless of their health status.

Thanks To The Affordable Care Act, Insurance Companies Can No Longer Impose Annual And Lifetime Limits On Coverage. Before the ACA, insurance companies could restrict the dollar amount of benefits someone could use per year or over a lifetime. At the time the ACA was passed, 91 million Americans had health care through their employers that imposed lifetime limits. Many such plans capped benefits at $1 million annually, functionally locking people with complex medical needs out of coverage. 

Under The ACA, Insurance Companies Can No Longer Practice Medical Underwriting, A Process That Lets Insurers Make It Harder For People With Disabilities To Get The Coverage They Needed. Before the ACA, insurance companies could screen applicants for any conditions that might be costly to the company. If someone had condition that was predicted to cost the insurance company more, the insurance company would follow a practice called “medical underwriting” that allowed them to charge the applicant a higher premium, specifically exclude coverage for the condition that was expected to be costly, charge the applicant a higher deductible, or limit the applicant’s benefits (for instance, offer a policy that did not cover prescription drugs).

The ACA Requires Insurance Companies To Cover Basic Health Services. The Affordable Care Act established the ten essential health benefits, requiring insurance companies to cover rehabilitative or habilitative services, hospitalization, maternity care, prescription drugs, maternity care, and mental health services. Before the ACA, many people with disabilities had insurance that didn’t cover basic health care needs.

Medicaid Is A Lifeline For People With Disabilities:

• 61 million Americans have a disability. The Affordable Care Act ensures that insurance companies cannot deny coverage, drop coverage, or charge them more because of a pre-existing condition. 
• 8.7 million nonelderly adults with disabilities depend on Medicaid for care. Nearly 8.7 million adults enrolled in Medicaid have a disability. 
• More than 1 in 3 adults under age 65 enrolled in Medicaid lives with at least one disability. 
• Nearly 45 percent of adults with disabilities have Medicaid coverage. Medicaid covers 45 percent of nonelderly adults with disabilities, including adults with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and mental illness.

Medicaid Expansion Increased Employment For People With Disabilities. “Individuals with disabilities are significantly more likely to be employed if they live in a state that has expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, a new study has found. Researchers at the University of Kansas co-authored a study that found a 6 percentage-point difference in employment rates among working-age adults with disabilities in states that expanded Medicaid and those that chose not to.” [The University Of Kansas, 12/21/16] 

If The Texas Lawsuit Succeeds, 17 Million People Covered By Medicaid Expansion—Including Individuals With Disabilities—Will Lose Coverage:

Republican Efforts To Repeal Medicaid Expansion Would Mean 64 Percent Of Medicaid Adults With Disabilities Would Lose Coverage. “The Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion covers 11 million people. Many of them struggle with a chronic illness or a disability (such as a mental health condition) that wouldn’t, by itself, qualify them for Medicaid. Only 36 percent of non-elderly Medicaid beneficiaries with disabilities receive Supplemental Security Income, which allows them to enroll in Medicaid even without the expansion. While others may be eligible for Medicaid based on other criteria, many could lose Medicaid coverage under the House bill and wind up uninsured.” [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 8/29/17]

Veteran Group Will Drive POC’s Coronavirus Accountability, Advocacy Work

Washington, DC — Protect Our Care today is launching a Coronavirus War Room with a veteran group of operatives to drive its accountability and advocacy efforts on the coronavirus crisis with a focus on President Trump’s ongoing failure to prepare the nation for this pandemic.

Zac Petkanas, a former communications adviser to Hillary Clinton and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid who has been involved in a host of other political and advocacy campaigns, will serve as Coronavirus War Room Director.

Patrick Devlin, a former Communications Director to Majority Whip James Clyburn who has three decades of experience as senior aide on both sides of Capitol Hill, will serve as Senior Communications Adviser to the war room.

Sarah Chase, a former Research Associate on Elizabeth Warren’s campaign for president and a former Deputy Research Director for Protect Our Care, will serve as Research Director for the Coronavirus War Room.

“Today’s launch marks an important effort in Protect Our Care’s work to inform the American people about the science and facts about the coronavirus and to educate the public on the Trump’s administration’s ongoing failure to provide honest information and listen to the experts and the science,” said Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care. “As a result America does not have the testing it needs, our health care workers don’t have the equipment they need, and our hospitals are not prepared.”

“This team has a wealth of know-how, experience and expertise and with the coronavirus crisis, which has been exacerbated by President Trump’s failure to prepare, we need the best in the business working on advocacy efforts to hold President Trump accountable for his failure to lead,” said Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care.

More personnel announcements are expected in the coming days including in key states around the country beginning with Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

The Coronavirus War Room will work closely with partners in the health care and progressive communities and will benefit from and partner with the full resources of Protect Our Care’s current operations.

Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on March 23, Protect Our Care is holding 10 days of action to raise awareness of the most critical components of the law which has improved the lives of millions of Americans. Working with partner organizations and health care advocates, Protect Our Care will highlight a different aspect of the law each day while making clear what’s at stake if the Trump administration is successful in overturning the law through the courts.  

“The Affordable Care Act has been an incredibly positive force for Americans over the last 10 years, especially for seniors and older adults nationwide,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Over the course of these 10 days of action, Protect Our Care will remind Americans how the ACA has improved the lives of millions while making clear that President Trump and Republicans’ lawsuit to overturn the law poses an existential threat to Americans’ health care.” 

Days of Action: Day 6 of 10 focuses on Lower Costs and Better Care For Seniors. To learn more about our days of action, visit our website.

In Addition To Making Health Care More Affordable, The ACA Saved Lives:

Medicaid Expansion Saved The Lives Of At Least 19,200 Older Adults. A report by the Center On Budget And Policy Priorities found that “The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) expansion of Medicaid to low-income adults is preventing thousands of premature deaths each year, a landmark study finds. It saved the lives of at least 19,200 adults aged 55 to 64 over the four-year period from 2014 to 2017. Conversely, 15,600 older adults died prematurely because of state decisions not to expand Medicaid.” [Center On Budget And Policy Priorities, 11/6/19] 

AARP: Before ACA’s Protections, Discrimination Against Those With Pre-Existing Conditions, Age Rating, And Annual And Lifetime Caps Made Accessing Health Care Out Of Reach For Older Adults. [AARP, 6/14/18]

Thanks To The ACA: 

• Seniors Are Guaranteed Free Preventive Services And Annual Check-Ups. 60 million people with Medicare have access to free preventive services because of the Affordable Care Act. 
• 8.9 million Medicare Beneficiaries Are Benefiting From Higher Quality, More Coordinated Care. Provisions in the ACA encouraged groups of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers to come together to provide coordinated high-quality care to the Medicare patients they serve. 

Seniors Stand To Lose If The ACA Is Overturned. If The ACA Is Struck Down In Court: 

People Over The Age of 50 Will Face A $4,000 “Age Tax.” If the Republican lawsuit to overturn the ACA is successful, insurance companies would be able charge people over 50 much more than younger people. The Affordable Care Act limited the amount older people could be charged to three times more than younger people. If insurers were to charge five times more, as was proposed in the Republican repeal bills, that would add an average “age tax” of $4,124 for a 60-year-old in the individual market, according to the AARP.

Seniors Will Have To Pay More For Prescription Drugs. Thanks to the Republican lawsuit, seniors could have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare “donut” hole got reopened. From 2010 to 2016, “More than 11.8 million Medicare beneficiaries have received discounts over $26.8 billion on prescription drugs – an average of $2,272 per beneficiary,” according to a January 2017 Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Services report.