News

On Wednesday, Senate Democrats forced a vote to roll back the Trump administration’s promotion of junk insurance plans that don’t protect people with pre-existing conditions. Unsurprisingly, Senate Republicans blocked the bill’s passage, and in doing so, made clear they side with insurance companies over the wellbeing of their constituents with pre-existing conditions. 

In response, Protect Our Care held events in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa and North Carolina to hold Republican Senators Martha McSally, Cory Gardner, Joni Ernst, Chuck Grassley and Thom Tillis accountable for failing to support the 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions.

Here’s a brief roundup of Protect Our Care’s Senate Accountability events:

ARIZONA

Visit to Senator McSally’s Phoenix Office Condemning Her Vote Against Pre-Existing Conditions

Protect Our Care Arizona joined Pat Thomas, an Arizonan with a pre-existing condition, and health care advocates on Thursday to condemn Senator McSally’s ‘no’ vote and failure to protect the health care of Arizonans with pre-existing conditions. Thomas criticized her Senator for prioritizing special interests over those of Arizonans. You can view the post-event release here.

COLORADO

Visit to Senator Gardner’s Denver Office Condemning His Vote Against Pre-Existing Conditions

Protect Our Care Colorado was joined by Adela Flores-Brennan of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiatives, Laura Packard, a health care activist and cancer survivor, and  Dana Miller of Indivisible Front Range Resistance on Thursday to condemn Senator Cory Gardner’s ‘no’ vote and failure to protect the health care of Coloradans with pre-existing conditions. Following the vote, Senator Gardner released a statement mischaracterizing his vote, and attempting to hide behind the 1332 waivers which allowed Colorado to add a reinsurance program. However, the Warner/Shaheen resolution would not have eliminated 1332 reinsurance plans. Instead, it would have precluded the existing regulation that expands the use of the 1332 waivers to make short-term limited duration (STLD) plans more available and affordable and would not have resulted in the elimination of Colorado’s reinsurance plan. View the post-event release here.

Colorado Times Recorder: Gardner Falsely Claims His Vote Protects People With Pre-existing Conditions

IOWA

Rally Outside Sen. Ernst’s and Grassley’s Des Moines Offices

After the Senate held a vote on the Protect Pre-Existing Conditions Resolution, Iowans rallied together on Thursday to condemn Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley for voting ‘no’ and failing to protect the health care of Iowans with pre-existing conditions. Iowans gathered outside the Senators’ offices in Des Moines, and constituents delivered hundreds of signatures on a petition condemning the vote. You can view the post-event release here. 

Rally Outside Sen. Ernst’s and Grassley’s Cedar Rapids Offices

Iowans showed up outside both Senator Ernst’s and Grassely’s offices in cedar rapids after the CRA vote to express their disagreement with the senators’ votes. Attendees also delivered the petition and talked with Senate staff about their disappointment with the way the senators voted. You can view the post-event release here. 

Rally Outside Sen. Ernst’s and Grassley’s Waterloo Offices

In Waterloo, Iowans showed at their senators’ offices with a copy of the petition to emphasize their disagreement on the votes. They demanded that Ernst and Grassley stand up and protect their care in the future. You can view the post-event release here. 

Iowa Starting Line: Iowans Protest Ernst, Grassley’s Votes for Junk Insurance Plans

Iowa Labor News: Iowans Hold Ernst, Grassley Accountable for Pre-Existing Conditions VoteErnst and Grassley’s Vote Will Harm Iowans With Pre-Existing Conditions

Iowa Labor News: Stop Ernst & Grassley’s spooky Halloween vote

NORTH CAROLINA

Press Call with Health Care Advocates to Condemn Senator Tillis’ Vote Against North Carolinians with Pre-Existing Conditions 

Protect Our Care North Carolina was joined by Brad Woodhouse, the Executive Director of Protect Our Care, Stacy Staggs of Little Lobbisysts, and Kara Konrad, a North Carolinaian with a pre-existing condition on a press call Thursday to condemn Senator Tillis’ ‘no’ vote and failure to protect the health care of North Carolinians with pre-existing conditions. Stacy Staggs and Kara Konrad, North Carolinians who rely on these protections to access health care and provide care to their families, blasted Senator Tillis for failing them with this vote. View the post-event release here, and listen to the call audio here. 

Washington, DC — Yesterday, Georgia’s Republican governor requested a 1332 waiver to enact drastic changes to the state’s health care program that will put Georgians’ health care at risk. The proposed waiver would dismantle Georgia’s marketplace and push consumers to junk plans that don’t protect people with pre-existing conditions. In response to the state’s waiver request, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse released the following statement: 

“Georgia’s Republican governor is taking unprecedented steps to enact Trump’s sabotage agenda by injecting chaos into Georgia’s health care system and putting the health care of over one million Georgians at risk. The proposed waiver would ban Georgians from using HealthCare.gov to purchase plans on the ACA marketplace, pushing them instead to junk insurance plans that don’t cover essential health benefits and insurance brokers who won’t act in patients’ best interests. This proposal is the actualization of Trump’s sabotage agenda to strip protections for pre-existing conditions and kick people off their coverage. Georgia’s actions should be a wakeup call that state Republicans are dead-serious about following through on the Trump administration’s war on health care.”

Yesterday, Senate Democrats forced a vote on the Protect Pre-Existing Conditions Act, which would have rolled back the Trump administration’s promotion of harmful junk insurance plans that don’t protect people with pre-existing conditions. While Democrats voted to save these vital protections, Senate Republicans blocked the measure to side with the drug and insurance companies and Trump’s sabotage agenda.

Leader Chuck Schumer (NY): “The Trump Administration has done nearly everything imaginable to undermine protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions. That’s why Senate Democrats will force a crucial vote on the future of these health care protections.” [Leader Schumer Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Dick Durbin (IL): “Senate Republicans could have voted to protect health insurance for Americans with pre-existing conditions—such as diabetes, asthma, cancer, or heart disease. Instead, they backed President Trump’s proposal to allow discrimination against these individuals.” [Sen. Durbin Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Mark Warner (VA): “We cannot go back to the days when a pre-existing condition could mean a one-way ticket out of the middle class. That’s what’s at stake if the administration’s healthcare sabotage is successful. Today we’re forcing a vote to #ProtectPreExistingConditions.” [Sen. Warner Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Patty Murray (WA): “Today, 52 Senate Republicans went on the record against affordable health care and protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Today, 52 Senate Republicans voted against patients and families. Don’t forget.” [Sen. Murray Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI): “Today I voted to stop the Trump Administration’s health care sabotage and overturn the rule promoting junk insurance plans. These plans threaten protections for millions of Michigan residents with pre-existing conditions. #ProtectPreExistingConditions.” [Sen. Stabenow Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Ron Wyden (OR): “Today, Senate Republicans will be put on the record about their support for pre-existing conditions. We will see if their actions reflect their promises to the American people. #ProtectOurCare.” [Sen. Wyden Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI): “While Senate Democrats are working to help make things better for the American people, Senate Republicans are helping the Trump administration make things worse.” [Sen. Baldwin Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT): “It’s simple, the Trump admin refuses to #ProtectPreExistingConditions. We must fight back against Republicans’ never-ending sabotage of Americans’ health care. That’s why @SenateDems voted to stop this admin’s dangerous rule gutting preexisting conditions.” [Sen. Blumenthal Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Tom Carper (DE): “Nearly 400,000 Delawareans and over 130 million Americans are living with pre-existing conditions. Today, I was proud to join @SenateDems and stand against the Trump Administration’s relentless attacks on critical protections for these Americans. #ProtectPreExistingConditions.” [Sen. Carper Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Bob Casey (PA): “Today @SenateDems will force a vote to stop the Trump Admin from allowing states to promote junk insurance that doesn’t #ProtectPreExistingConditions. We cannot stand by. If Republicans were serious about protecting people with pre-existing conditions, they would stand beside us.” [Sen. Casey Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Ed Markey (MA): “We can’t let the Trump administration and Republicans keep sabotaging our health care. I’m proud the @SenateDems are forcing a vote today to stop the Trump admin’s rule allowing states to promote junk insurance plans and #ProtectPreExistingConditions.” [Sen. Markey Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (NV): “My Republican colleagues say they support protections for people with preexisting conditions. Yet in today’s vote, they showed just how untrue that is. I’ll keep fighting attempts to send us back to the dark days of health care coverage in America when Nevadans didn’t have the peace of mind of being protected for having a preexisting condition.” [Sen. Cortez Masto Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Bob Menendez (NJ): “Senate Dems just forced a vote to reverse a Trump Admin rule that would undermine the ACA, threatening coverage for millions of hardworking Americans. For the 130M Americans & 3.8M NJans w/ a pre-existing condition, I’m voting to protect your care. #ProtectPreExistingConditions.” [Sen. Menendez Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Jeff Merkley (OR): “Trump is trying to destroy protections for pre-existing conditions by allowing states to promote “junk plans” that don’t cover essentials. I was proud to stand w/ @MarkWarner to force a vote that would protect Americans from this attack on their care…but deeply disappointed that my @SenateGOP colleagues voted No, as they keep trying to take care away from people who need it most. You would think they’d have learned from the 2018 elections that people want better, more affordable coverage—not efforts to take it away.” [Sen. Merkley Twitter, 10/30/19]

Senator Tom Udall (NM): “I was proud to take a stand today against the Trump admin’s #ACA sabotage that lures people into junk health care plans. Sad that @senatemajldr @senategop did not join us in protecting millions of Americans.I won’t stop fighting to #ProtectPreexistingConditions.” [Sen. Udall Twitter, 10/30/19]

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI): “.@realDonaldTrump & Republicans are working to take us back to the dark ages for patients when insurance companies could discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions like diabetes. Every American deserves high-quality health care. #ProtectPreExistingConditions.” [Sen. Whitehouse Twitter, 10/30/19]

Americans Can Purchase Affordable Quality Health Insurance That Fully Protects Pre-Existing Conditions

Washington, DC — Friday, November 1st, marks the beginning of the 2020 Open Enrollment period, where Americans can sign up for affordable, quality health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. To mark the start of the 2020 Open Enrollment period, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:

“Open Enrollment for 2020 starts tomorrow, giving Americans the opportunity to purchase quality and affordable health care through the ACA marketplaces. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the majority of marketplace enrollees who qualify for financial assistance could pay a monthly premium of $10 or less. Despite the Trump administration’s attempts to undermine Open Enrollment marketplaces, coverage under the Affordable Care Act is more affordable and easier than ever to sign up for.”

Senate Republicans Side With Insurance Companies and Trump Sabotage Over 135 Million Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions 

Washington, DC — Today, Senate Democrats forced a vote on the Protect Pre-Existing Conditions Act, which would undo the Trump administration’s efforts to push insurance plans that don’t protect people with pre-existing conditions. Unsurprisingly, Republicans in the Senate defeated the bill, allowing the administration to keep pushing these disastrous plans that charge more and cover less. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:

“Republican Senators just had another chance to protect health care for people with pre-existing conditions and they refused. Senators who voted against this resolution sent a crystal clear message — they would rather side with insurance companies that sell junk plans than the 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions like asthma, high cholesterol and arthritis. Americans with pre-existing conditions are tired of hearing their senator lie about supporting protections only to turn around and vote to strip them away.” 

Senate Vote Tomorrow On The Protect Pre-Existing Conditions Act Forces Senate Republicans To Choose Between Defending Junk Insurance Plans or Supporting Their Constituents With Pre-Existing Conditions

Washington, DC — Tomorrow, Senate Democrats will force a vote on the Protect Pre-Existing Conditions Act, which would roll back the Trump administration’s junk insurance plans that don’t include protections for pre-existing conditions. Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement in response:

“This vote is a litmus test for Senate Republicans; they must choose whether to support Donald Trump’s junk insurance plans that don’t cover pre-existing conditions or stand with 135 million patients with conditions like asthma, diabetes and cancer. For too long, Republicans have voted to eliminate protections for people with pre-existing conditions and then lied to their constituents, but that subterfuge ends this week. Republicans will have to pick sides: either vote to protect patients or vote to protect President Trump and their insurance company donors.”

BACKGROUND:

THE HILL: “The Democratic measure would have overruled Trump’s expansion of short-term health insurance plans, which do not have to cover people with pre-existing conditions or cover a range of health services like mental health or prescription drugs.”

AARP: AARP opposed Trump’s expansion of short-term plans, arguing “these plans can deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions and refuse to cover even the most basic medical services.” 

ACSCAN: An analysis by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network found that “it is unlikely that anyone with a history of cancer or many other health conditions would be able to enroll in or afford a short-term plan.” 

The CMS Administrator Announced Plans to Continue Pushing States to Take Up Onerous Medicaid Work Requirements, Despite Similar Plans Being Struck Down Three Times In Federal Court

Washington, DC — Yesterday, CMS Administrator Verma announced that CMS will continue pushing states to take up Medicaid work requirements. These work requirements kick tens of thousands of Medicaid enrollees off the rolls and place untenable burdens of entry to the program. Despite similar requirements being struck down in federal court in Kentucky, Arkansas, and New Hampshire, the administration is determined to continue pushing them as part of their broader war on health care. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse released the following statement:  

“Seema Verma just can’t quit sabotaging America’s health care as she forges ahead with pushing dangerous work requirements that undermine Medicaid and kick people off the rolls. Even as similar plans are struck down by the courts, Verma is vowing to wage a full-on war against Medicaid by urging states to continue taking up these draconian work requirements. There seems to be no bottom for this administration’s desire to take away Americans’ health care, as they remain hellbent on stripping coverage from Americans in any way, shape, or form.”  

Washington, DC — Today, Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) are delivering speeches on the floor of the United States Senate in support of the Protect Pre-Existing Conditions Act. This bill would block the Trump administration’s effort to eliminate protections for the 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement in response:

“President Trump and Senate Republicans want to do away with protections for people with pre-existing conditions by pushing junk insurance plans that cost more and cover less. Americans don’t want to go back to the days when insurance companies could deny coverage or charge more to cover pre-existing conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Senate Republicans have a clear choice: vote to protect 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions or vote to continue supporting these junk plans and lie to the American people about it.”

BACKGROUND:

The Trump Administration Is Pushing Junk Plans That Allow Discrimination Against People With Pre-Existing Conditions And Don’t Require Coverage For Prescription Drugs, Maternity Care, And Hospitalization. In August 2018, the administration finalized a rule that expands the availability of so called short-term, limited duration plans from three months to just under twelve months and allows them to renew such plans for up to three years. Since finalizing the rule, the Trump administration has urged groups that help people sign up for coverage to push consumers toward these junk plans and has issued guidance urging states to let ACA subsidies be used to purchase these skimpy plans. 

Under Short Term Junk Plans, Protections For People With Pre-Existing Conditions Are Essentially Meaningless. Short-term plans can exclude or deny key medical services such as prescription drug coverage, hospitalization, and maternity care. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said allowing states to waive essential health benefits “could render those protections meaningless” for people with pre-existing conditions. Even when plans say they cover prescription drugs, the benefit is often capped at a limit, such as $3,000. Adding insult to injury, short-term plans have a history of finding ways to deny coverage after people become sick and can bring back annual and lifetime caps on the amount of care patients receive. As Consumers Union stated, allowing insurers to impose annual and lifetime caps means “putting meaningful coverage out of reach for many Americans, especially those with chronic and pre-existing conditions.” These plans put insurance companies back in charge, not consumers. 

As Many As 135 Million Americans Have A Pre-Existing Condition

• According to an 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
• 17 million children, 68 million women, and 30 million people aged 55-64 have a pre-existing condition.

Washington, DC — Today, CMS Administrator Seema Verma testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee where she defended the Trump administration’s continued sabotage of Americans’ health care and evaded direct questions, refusing to admit they have no replacement plan if the Texas lawsuit to terminate the Affordable Care Act is successful. In response to her testimony, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse released the following statement: 

“Seema Verma’s testimony today makes crystal clear that President Trump’s only plan is to sabotage Americans’ health care and repeal the Affordable Care Act with no replacement. Verma evaded direct questions and shamelessly defended the administration’s attacks on Americans health care such as slashing funding for open enrollment, pushing junk insurance plans that don’t cover pre-existing conditions and dismantling Medicaid by pushing onerous work requirements that kick people off the rolls. One would think that Seema Verma’s taxpayer-funded image consultants could have prepared her with better spin for her testimony, but no amount of cheap rhetoric could mask the reality of this administration’s unprecedented actions to take away health care from millions of Americans.

“Americans simply want to know why this administration is so hellbent on taking away their health care, and Verma’s testimony did little to calm their fears.”