News

Verma Has Led The Charge In Trump’s War On Health Care and Must Answer For Her Role In Pushing His Sabotage Agenda At Today’s E&C Hearing

Washington, DC — Ahead of CMS Administrator Seema Verma’s testimony to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Protect Our Care chair Leslie Dach released the following statement: 

“Since day one, Seema Verma has championed Trump’s health care sabotage agenda and  undermined Americans’ health care at every turn. Under Verma’s leadership, CMS has slashed the budget for open-enrollment, pushed junk insurance plans that don’t cover pre-existing conditions and sought to dismantle Medicaid by pushing onerous work requirements that kick people off the rolls. Fewer people are covered today by the Affordable Care Act and premiums are higher because of Seema Verma. Even her taxpayer-funded image consultants couldn’t salvage the damage done from her shameful campaign to undermine Americans’ health care. At tomorrow’s hearing, she must be held accountable for her role as a leader in Trump’s relentless war on health care.” 

BACKGROUND:

Seema Verma: Leading the Charge in Trump’s War On Health Care

Five Key Ways Verma Has Been At The Center Of Trump’s War On Health Care:

1. Seema Verma Led The Charge To Push Disastrous Medicaid Work Requirements. The Trump administration approved so-called work requirement proposals in nine states. After it became clear that thousands were being thrown off the Medicaid rolls under Arkansas’s program, Verma said these coverage losses were “not necessarily a bad thing,” and proceeded to approve waivers in other states. Medicaid work requirements have been repeatedly shot down in court, but Verma suggested this would not dissuade the administration’s efforts to approve programs in other states. Meanwhile, a recent GAO report found that the administrative costs to implement the failed work requirement programs in five states topped $400 million.  

2. Verma Tried To Blame The Health Care Law After 2 Million Lost Coverage. In September 2019, the Census revealed a steep rise in uninsured Americans for the first time since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Despite a resounding consensus from health care experts, the CMS administrator refused to concede the administration’s role in driving up the uninsured rate and instead pointed the finger at the very law that resulted in record number of insured Americans. 

3. Verma Claimed – Without Evidence – That The Trump Administration Had A “Contingency Plan” If The Texas Lawsuit Successfully Overturns The ACA. After a coalition of Republican-led states took to the courts to repeal the ACA, the Trump administration took the extraordinary step to refuse to defend the constitutionality of the law. Falling in line with Trump’s narrative, Verma has claimed that Trump has “contingency plans” if the ACA is overturned despite evidence to the contrary. In fact, the Trump administration has indicated it will seek to delay the ruling if the court overturns the ACA until after 2020 in order to save the health care system from complete chaos during Trump’s re-election campaign.  

4. Verma Has Sought To Dismantle Medicaid Through Block Grants. After reports that Verma was attempting to bypass Congress to allow states to block grant their Medicaid programs, Gov. Mike Dunleavy revealed Verma urged Alaska to be the first state to apply for these block grants. Other states have taken notice: Tennessee has moved to seek a block grant, with state officials saying that they have been “encouraged” by the CMS to pursue the policy. 

5. Verma Spent Millions Of Taxpayer Dollars On Image Consultants After Making Cuts To Critical Programs. Reporting exposed that Verma directed millions of taxpayer dollars in contracts to Republican communications consultants in order to help her brand. Politico noted that the consultants came during “a time when Verma has made cuts elsewhere, such as reducing advertising for Obamacare enrollment by tens of millions of dollars.” 

Bottom Line: Verma’s efforts have undoubtedly resulted in coverage losses and injected confusion in our health care system. In today’s hearing, Verma must explain to the American people why she supports taking away their health care. 

CMS Administrator Seema Verma’s prepared remarks for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee tomorrow are nothing more than an attempt to cover up the damage she and the Trump administration have inflicted on Americans’ health care. From supporting repeal of the ACA through the Texas lawsuit, slashing the budget 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, Seema Verma has sought to undermine and attack Americans’ health care at every turn. 

Verma’s remarks are a fairy tale version of her time at CMS. Here is the real story of her relentless campaign to attack Americans’ health care and carry out Trump’s sabotage agenda.  

Below is a section-by-section breakdown of the untruths in Verma’s prepared testimony on “CMS Efforts To Empower Patients, Focus on Results, and Unleash Innovation.”

“PATIENTS OVER PAPERWORK”

Red Tape And Work Requirements Are Putting Medicaid For Millions Of Americans At Risk.  

Seema Verma Led The Charge To Push Disastrous Medicaid Work Requirements. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, these onerous paperwork requirements could take health care away from up to 4 Million Americans. After Arkansas imposed the nation’s first so-called work requirements program, more than 18,000 residents lost Medicaid coverage. While these state efforts have been repeatedly blocked by a federal judge, the Trump administration, with the help of Verma, keeps fighting to impose work reporting requirements in Medicaid, appealing federal court rulings that blocked such requirements because they are illegal. Meanwhile, a recent GAO report found that the administrative costs to implement the failed work requirement programs in five states topped $400 million.  

More Than One Million Children Lost Coverage Due To Verma-Backed Efforts To Restrict Medicaid Access. As more than a million children disappeared from Medicaid rolls between 2017 and 2018, health care experts pointed to a “chilling effect” from Trump’s signature policies, including work requirements and frequent eligibility checks. Joan Alker, Executive Director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, said: “This serious erosion of children’s health coverage is due in large part to the Trump Administration’s actions that have made health care harder to access and have deterred families from enrolling their children.” 

“STRENGTHENING MEDICARE”

President Trump And Republicans In Congress Want To Cut Medicare By Hundreds Of Billions All To Pay For Their Tax Cuts For The Wealthiest Americans. In 2017, President Trump signed a $1.5 trillion tax bill that disproportionately benefits the wealthy. Since then, Republicans have repeatedly tried to slash hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicare to pay for their tax breaks.  The 2018 budget resolution passed by Republicans in December 2017 cut Medicare by $473 billion, the FY2019 budget passed by Republicans on the House Budget Committee cut Medicare by an additional $537 billion, and worst of all, the Trump administration released an FY2020 budget that would cut, $845 million from Medicare, and repeal the Affordable Care Act.

President Trump Is Trying To Repeal The Affordable Care Act Through The Courts — A Move Which Would Raise Drug Costs For Millions Of People On Medicare.   The Trump administration and Republican attorneys generals are arguing in federal court that the entire Affordable Care Act should be overturned. If they get their way, the Medicare “donut” hole would be immediately re-opened. 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.

Trump’s Executive Order On Medicare Opens The Door For Privatization. Trump’s proposal to “save” Medicare actually just pushes private plans that have higher administrative costs than Medicare and give significant profits to insurance companies. The proposed changes could lead to higher costs for patients and “potentially expose some to surprise medical bills.” 

“CHOICE AND AFFORDABILITY ON THE EXCHANGES”

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. Short-term plans can exclude or deny key medical services such as prescription drug coverage, hospitalization, and maternity care. 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. These plans put insurance companies back in charge, not consumers.

The Trump Administration Has Sabotaged Open Enrollment. CMS cut funding for navigator grants—programs designed to provide outreach, education, and enrollment assistance for marketplace consumers — from $37 million in 2018 to $10 million. In 2017, the Administration also cut the outreach advertising budget for Open Enrollment by 90 percent, from $100 million to just $10 million – which resulted in as many as 1.1 million fewer people getting covered.

“LOWERING DRUG PRICES” 

Drug Prices In 2019 Surged Compared To The Year Before. With Hikes At 5 Times Inflation — “More Than 3,400 Drugs Have Boosted Their Prices In The First Six Months Of 2019.” According to CBS News: “Price hikes on prescription drugs are surging in 2019, despite vows from the Trump administration to rein in pharmaceutical costs. So far in 2019, more than 3,400 drugs have boosted their prices, a 17% increase compared with the roughly 2,900 drug price increases at the same time in 2018, according to a new analysis by Rx Savings Solutions, a consultant to health plans and employers. The average price hike for those 3,400 drugs stands at 10.5%, or about 5 times the rate of inflation, the study found.” 

As The Cost Of Drugs Skyrocket, President Trump And His Republican Allies In Congress Refuse To Allow Medicare To Negotiate For Lower Prescription Drug Prices. Under current law, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is explicitly prohibited from negotiating directly with drug manufacturers on behalf of Medicare Part D enrollees. Although it would decrease both federal spending and beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs, Republicans in Congress have remained staunchly opposed to negotiation.  Despite his numerous campaign promises, a policy allowing the federal government to negotiate drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries was noticeably absent from President Trump’s prescription drug plan, and the administration has remained silent about whether it supports the House Democrats’ plan to allow negotiation and lower drug costs. 

Pharmaceutical Companies Reaped Huge Benefits From The Trump Tax Bill. The Trump tax scam means billions of dollars in tax breaks for pharmaceutical companies. An Axios study found that 21 health care companies collectively expected to gain $10 billion in tax savings during 2018 alone. Most of the tax break for health care companies is going toward share buybacks, dividends, acquisitions and paying down debt. According to Axios, nine pharmaceutical companies are spending a combined $50 billion on new share buyback programs. 

“TRANSFORMING MEDICAID”

Trump’s 2020 Budget Would Result In More Than $1 Trillion In Medicaid Cuts Over 10 Years. By shifting to a block grant program and eliminating funding for Medicaid expansion, the administration would cut Medicaid by more than $1 trillion over 10 years. 

Verma Has Sought To Dismantle Medicaid Through Block Grants. After reports that Verma was attempting to bypass Congress to allow states to block grant their Medicaid programs, Gov. Mike Dunleavy revealed Verma urged Alaska to be the first state to apply for these block grants. Other states have taken notice: Tennessee has moved to seek a block grant, with state officials saying that they have been “encouraged” by the CMS to pursue the policy. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Medicaid block grants would slash federal funding, shift costs to states, and leave millions more uninsured.

 “UNLEASHING INNOVATION”

Trump’s Signature Health Care “Innovation” Proposals Rely On The Affordable Care Act — Which Would Be Eliminated If The Administration Has Its Way In Court. Trump’s proposal to shift dialysis care to patients’ homes relies on The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, which would be eliminated if the Trump administration successfully convinces the courts to overturn the health care law. The president promoted a policy that would seek to close the gap between drug costs in the U.S. and overseas, which also relies on ACA authority. One Trump official even bragged that the ACA gives “tremendous authority” to issue executive orders on health care, even as the administration continues to undermine the health care law. 

“RETHINKING RURAL HEALTH” 

The Trump-Verma Health Care Agenda Fails Rural Communities. The Affordable Care Act opened the door to Medicaid expansion, which expanded coverage to 1.7 million rural Americans, reduced rural hospitals’ uncompensated care costs, and helped rural health providers keep their doors open. Following Medicaid expansion, the uninsured rate in rural parts of expansion states decreased by a median of 44 percent, and nearly one in four rural Americans now have health coverage through Medicaid. In addition to imposing work rules and other paperwork requirements to restrict Medicaid access, the Trump administration is arguing in court that the entire Affordable Care Act, including its Medicaid expansion, should be overturned. 

“ENSURING SAFETY AND QUALITY IN NURSING HOMES”

President Trump And Seema Verma Have Rolled Back Protections For Nursing Home Residents.  Under Seema Verma’s leadership, the Trump administration has cut the size of fines for health violations in nursing homes. Federal records show that the average fine dropped to $28,405 under Verma’s tenure, down from $41,260 in 2016.  Experts say that for large nursing homes, these smaller fines are merely a “rounding error” giving them less incentive to fix faulty and dangerous practices before someone gets hurt.

According to Toby Edelman, a senior policy attorney and expert on nursing home regulation at the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Verma’s record on regulating the worst of the worst in the nursing care industry is even worse. Edelmen found that found that the Trump administration has largely pulled back its enforcement of “special focus facilities,”  those nursing homes cited for a pattern of serious infractions, issuing increasingly small fines even though the government continued to cite them for serious violations.

The Trump administration has also rolled back an Obama-era regulation that blocked nursing facilities from requiring that disputes with residents be settled in private arbitration — a move that the nursing home industry had aggressively sought.  Families often feel pressured to sign arbitration agreements and only find out later that they are prevented from suing if they believe their loved ones received bad care. 

“WORKING WITH CONGRESS” 

Verma Has A Record Of Flouting Oversight And Ignoring Congress.  Less than a week ago Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone sent a letter to Verma and HHS Secretary Alex Azar demanding responses to several outstanding document requests of the Trump Administration’s implementation of the ACA.  Pallone has warned that any further attempts to obstruct legitimate oversight requests could result in “compulsory” measures, including subpoenas. Despite the clear will of the voters and the Congressional majority, Verma also claims that the administration is “working on” a plan to repeal the ACA that not even members of her own party are aware of. 

Washington, DC — Today, the Republican Study Committee reiterated its never ending support for repealing the Affordable Care Act and unveiled the House GOP’s latest plan to convince the American people that it will protect their health care. Protect Our Care chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement in response:

“This new GOP plan is nothing more than a rehash of their failed proposals that have been rejected in Congress and in voting booths across the country. And what Republican alternative would be complete without a false claim that their proposal would protect Americans with pre-existing conditions? After ten years of attempting to repeal the ACA without a viable replacement plan, you’d think they would have learned their lesson.” 

The Trump Administration is Gaslighting Americans By Trying To Take Credit For The Success of the ACA Despite Their Repeated and Ongoing Attempts to Destroy The Law

Washington, DC — Today, the Trump administration tried to take credit for the continued success of the Affordable Care Act, despite their efforts to sabotage and undermine the law at every turn and ongoing lawsuit to overturn it. In response, Protect Our Care chair Leslie Dach released the following statement: 

“The administration deserves zero credit for the success of the ACA. Their sabotage of open enrollment and relentless war on health care has meant far fewer insured Americans. The success of the ACA, despite Republicans best efforts to repeal it, shows that Americans want and need the affordable quality coverage the law provides. The ACA is delivering high quality insurance at lower prices, while the administration is pushing junk plans that allow insurance companies to charge more for less coverage.

“The ACA is succeeding despite the administration’s efforts to sabotage open enrollment by eliminating advertising and in person assistance. If it wasn’t for their repeated acts of sabotage, far more Americans would be covered today. The real story is the Trump administration’s lawsuit to repeal the ACA in its entirely, with a decision expected any day that would end the marketplaces, end open enrollment, and end all federal assistance for insurance premiums. They have moved from sabotage to nuclear war.”

BACKGROUND: 

For more information on the Trump administration’s efforts to sabotage our health care, check out our Sabotage Tracker.

Census Data Revealed Almost 2 Million More Americans Uninsured In 2018. “About 27.5 million people, or 8.5 percent of the population, lacked health insurance for all of 2018, up from 7.9 percent the year before, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday. It was the first increase since the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010, and experts said it was at least partly the result of the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine that law.” [New York Times, 10/10/19] 

Politico: Experts Said The Trump Administration’s Efforts To Undermine The Affordable Care Act To Blame For Rising Uninsured Rate. “The uninsured rate rose from 7.9 percent in 2017 to 8.5 percent last year, as experts said the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act were partly to blame…The numbers show that insurance gains under the health care law have stalled and are appearing to reverse as the Trump administration focuses on paring back the law’s insurance markets and shrink enrollment in safety net programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.” [Politico, 9/10/19] 

The Washington Post: As Census Data Reveals Uptick In Uninsured, Health Care Experts Point To “Chilling Effect” From The Trump Administration’s Efforts To Restrict Medicaid Access. “Health policy experts interpreted those patterns as evidence of a chilling effect from the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict several forms of public assistance, including Medicaid for immigrants seeking to remain in the United States. In addition, the number of low-income Americans on Medicaid tends to decline when the economy expands, as it did last year, while some states have been clamping down on eligibility and following the administration’s urging to impose work requirements in the program.” [The Washington Post, 9/10/19] 

Judy Solomon, A Senior Fellow For The Center On Budget And Policy Priorities Said Decline In Health Coverage “Certainly Reflects, At Least In Part, Trump Administration Policies To Weaken Public Health Coverage.” “‘In a period of continued economic and job growth, we shouldn’t be going backwards on health coverage,’ said Judy Solomon, a senior fellow for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank. ‘This backsliding almost certainly reflects, at least in part, Trump administration policies to weaken public health coverage.’ She attributed the drop to the Trump administration making it harder for families to enroll for coverage in Medicaid by curtailing outreach efforts, allowing states to ask for more paperwork and proposing a so-called public charge rule that would make it harder for legal immigrants to get permanent resident status if they have received certain kinds of public assistance — including Medicaid.” [Kaiser Health News, 9/10/19] 

Republicans Continue to Side With Big Pharma

Yesterday, the House Committees on Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, and Ways & Means held markups and a hearing on H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act. House Democrats were united behind the bill’s  popular proposals like allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices and holding drug companies accountable for creating a rigged system. While Democrats proved yesterday why they’re the party serious about lowering drug prices, Republicans continued to side with big pharma.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12): “The #LowerDrugCosts Now Act will improve financial opportunity for families & save lives across America by reining in out-of-control drug prices. #ForThePeople.” [Speaker Pelosi Twitter, 10/16/19]

Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (NJ-06): “Today my Committee is continuing our important work to make prescription drugs more affordable for consumers by marking up my #LowerDrugCosts Now Act. We can and we must stop drug companies from ripping off Americans.” [Chairman Pallone Twitter, 10/17/19]

Ways & Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (MA-01): “The #LowerDrugCostsNow Act would allow the US govt to negotiate lower drug prices for American consumers based on international pricing. Americans shouldn’t be paying substantially more than patients in other countries for the medicines they need to survive.” [Chairman Neal Twitter, 10/17/19]

E&C Subcommittee on Health Chairwoman Anna Eshoo (CA-18): “Without direct government negotiation, American prescription drug prices have soared. The annual cost of prescription drugs rose 58% over just five years. It’s time to put aside partisanship and pass #HR3 to lower the cost of prescription drugs for every American. #LowerDrugCosts.” [Chairwoman Eshoo Twitter, 10/17/19]

Rep. Colin Allred (TX-32): “North Texas families shouldn’t have to choose between paying for their medications or paying their bills. By passing the #LowerDrugCosts Now Act, Congress can provide some real relief to folks struggling under the crippling weight of skyrocketing prescription drug costs.” [Rep. Allred Twitter, 10/18/19]

Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14): “No one should have to make the impossible choice between putting food on the table or purchasing medication. #LowerDrugCosts.” [Rep. Castor Twitter, 10/17/19]

Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-39): “Americans should not have to pay more than families in other countries for life saving prescription drugs. We must ensure that everyone has access to affordable healthcare.” [Rep. Cisneros Twitter, 10/16/19]

Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01): “My daughter has Type 1 diabetes & just learned her insulin won’t be covered by her new insurance. She was told it will cost her $7,488/year for the insulin she needs to stay alive.This nonsense has to stop. Congress needs to fix this broken system and #LowerDrugCosts NOW!” [Rep. DeGette Twitter, 10/17/19]

Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12): “When drug prices are negotiated, the costs will drop for hardworking men and women. Every other industrialized nation in the world does this. It’s time for us to put hardworking men and women first and do what’s best for them. #LowerDrugCosts.” [Rep. Dingell Twitter, 10/17/19]

Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04): “Bottom line: you shouldn’t have to choose between paying your monthly bills and paying for your prescription drugs. It’s time for #Congress to pass #HR3 and #LowerDrugCostsNow.” [Rep. Horsford Twitter, 10/17/19]

Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03): “@EdLaborCmte is marking up the #LowerDrugCostsNow Act for the millions of American families struggling to get by because they can’t afford their medication. Allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Caps out-of-pocket expenses. Saves millions in taxpayer dollars.” [Rep. Lee Twitter, 10/17/19]

Rep. Ben Ray Luján (NM-03): “There’s bipartisan agreement: Americans deserve lower prescription drug prices. The #LowerDrugCosts plan that @HouseDemocrats have put forward will put money back in the pockets of New Mexico families and help our communities stay healthy.” [Rep. Luján Twitter, 10/17/18]

Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06): “There are people in this country who cannot afford the prices of the very drugs they need to survive. The lives and health of the American people depend on all of us working together to lower drug costs & make health care accessible #ForThePeople.” [Rep. McBath Twitter, 10/17/19]

Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02): “Bottom line: you shouldn’t have to choose between paying your monthly bills and paying for your prescription drugs. It’s really that simple. #LowerDrugCosts.” [Rep. Neguse Twitter, 10/16/19]

Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-36): “You shouldn’t have to choose between buying groceries and getting the medication you need. It’s really that simple. We must reduce the cost of prescription drugs. #RT if you agree. #LowerDrugCosts #ForThePeople.” [Rep. Ruiz Twitter, 10/17/19]

Rep. Bobby Rush (IL-01): “This is great news for my constituents and all Americans who rely on lifesaving drugs. @HouseDemocrats are now one step closer to delivering on our promise of #LowerDrugCosts #ForThePeople!” [Rep. Rush Twitter, 10/17/19]

Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09): “Here’s what the #LowerDrugCosts Now Act will do #ForThePeople BY THE NUMBERS: 55% reduction in negotiated drug prices. $2k cap of out of pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries. $158 billion total overall patient savings. $345 billion Medicare savings.” [Rep. Soto Twitter, 10/17/19]

Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07): “People are forced to decide between paying for life-saving meds or putting food on the table. This cannot remain a reality for Americans. #HR3 will save lives by making prescription drugs more affordable.” [Rep. Wild Twitter, 10/17/19]

Washington, DC – In response to today’s hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee and  markups in the Committees on Education and Labor and Energy and Commerce on the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), Democrats’ landmark bill to drastically reduce prescription drug prices, Protect Our Care chair Leslie Dach released the following statement: 

“House Democrats proved today that they’re the only party seriously tackling lowering drug costs for Americans. Democrats put forward concrete arguments for why giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices and reining in big pharma will dramatically lower drug costs while Republicans continue to side with the big drug industry lobby. The key provisions of H.R. 3 are extremely popular with the majority of Americans across the political spectrum, including Republican voters. Republicans’ continued obstruction of this legislation proves they’re more interested in defending drug companies and their profits than taking action to lower costs for Americans.” 

Washington, DC — As President Trump heads to Dallas for a rally tonight, his visit is overshadowed by a looming decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Texas v. United States, the Trump-backed lawsuit that would destroy the Affordable Care Act. Ahead of the rally, Protect Our Care executive director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:

“President Trump returns to the state where his disastrous lawsuit, which threatens to rip away health care from 1.7 million Texans and millions more Americans nationwide, originated. If successful, the Texas lawsuit would destroy protections for over 11 million Texans with pre-existing conditions, cut federal funding for the state’s Medicaid program, and force seniors to pay more for prescription drugs. As the Lone Star State continues to move from red to blue, Donald Trump and the GOP would be wise to drop this reckless lawsuit and their endless war on health care or risk the wrath of voters next November.”

BACKGROUND:

If Trump Gets His Way, 1.7 Million Texans Would Lose Their Coverage

• 1.7 million Texans could lose coverage. According to the Urban Institute, 1.7 million Texans would lose coverage by repealing the Affordable Care Act, leading to a 37 percent increase in the uninsured rate. 
• 205,000 Texas young adults with their parents’ coverage could lose care. Because of the Affordable Care Act, millions of young adults are able to stay on their parents’ care until age 26. 
• Texans would lose important federal health care funding — an estimated reduction of $6.5 billion in the first year. The Urban Institute estimates that a full repeal of the ACA would reduce federal spending on Texans’ Medicaid/CHIP care and Marketplace subsidies by $6.5 billion, or 20.6 percent in the first year. 
• 2,070,000 Texans who could gain coverage if Texas were to expand Medicaid will be denied that possibility. By not fully expanding Medicaid, Texas has restricted its Medicaid program, preventing 2,070,000 residents from gaining coverage. 

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: Protections for older Americans that prevent them from being charged an “age tax,” where insurance companies could charge people over 50 more than younger people. 
• GONE: Key support for rural hospitals. As Americans lose coverage, already struggling hospitals will be hit even harder as their costs increase.
• GONE: Ban on insurance companies having lifetime caps on coverage.
• GONE: Requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care.

During the October recess, Protect Our Care held 15 roundtable discussions, town hall meetings, and accountability events with elected officials and health care advocates across the country to highlight the work Democrats are doing to lower skyrocketing drug prices and protect Americans with pre-existing conditions, while holding Republicans accountable for sabotaging health care. 

While the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans continue to back the disastrous Texas lawsuit that would strip away our health care, Democrats in the House are working to pass the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), a bill that would take the drug companies to task and lower prescription drug prices for American families nationwide. In the Senate, Democrats filed a discharge petition to force a vote on the Protect Pre-Existing Conditions Act, making their Republican colleagues choose between supporting protections for pre-existing conditions and Trump’s sabotage agenda.

Here’s a look at the events and some of the news coverage that took place over the recess:

House Events:

ARIZONA

Tuesday, October 8 – Health Care Town Hall with Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick’s (AZ-02) Office

Protect Our Care Arizona joined Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick’s office at a community town hall in Tucson, to discuss the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), historic legislation, introduced by House Democrats, that will drastically lower prescription drug costs and hold insurance companies accountable. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick discussed her support for health policy proposals that lower prescription drug costs and protect people with preexisting conditions, as she works to ensure that every Arizonan has access to quality, affordable care. View the post-event release here.

KGUN TV 9: Community members share their health care concerns at health care town hall 

GEORGIA

Wednesday, October 9 – Roundtable with Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06)

Rep. Lucy McBath held a healthcare round table with Protect Our Care to talk with constituents about the current challenges facing the healthcare system, her fight to protect pre-existing conditions, and Speaker Pelosi’s latest push to lower drug costs with the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3). View the post-event release here. 

Yahoo Finance: Rep. McBath Meets with AARP Georgia to Discuss Lowering Prescription Drug Prices

MICHIGAN

Monday, October 7 – Costs of Care Conversation with Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08)

Protect Our Care Michigan joined Rep. Elissa Slotkin for a “Costs of Care Conversation” at the Old Persons’ Commission in Rochester, Michigan. At the roundtable discussion, Rep. Slotkin discussed Democrats’ bill to lower prescription drug costs, which would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. She urged both Democrats and Republicans to put pressure on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring the bill to a vote in the Senate. View ICYMI here.

WXYZ-TV Detroit: Rep. Elissa Slotkin outlines her prescription drug cost reform bill 

MLive: Slotkin commits to legislative priorities while GOP impeachment criticism surges

MINNESOTA 

Wednesday, October 9 – Press Call Before Trump Rally in Minneapolis

Ahead of President Trump’s visit to Minnesota on Wednesday, Protect Our Care Minnesota hosted a press call calling on Donald Trump and Republicans to stop sabotaging Minnesotans’ health care, including the Trump administration’s efforts to repeal current health care protections through the courts and eliminate coverage for millions of Minnesotans with preexisting conditions. This is in stark contrast to how Democrats like Reps. Angie Craig and Dean Phillips are leading the charge to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions, and are passing legislation to lower costs and improve care. View the post-call release here and listen to the full audio of the call here.

NEVADA

Wednesday, October 9 – Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) Health Care Town Hall

Nevada health care advocates championed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) at an event on October 9. The bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and is supported by Rep. Susie Lee. The Nevada Hospital Association, AARP Nevada, Nevada Alliance for Retired Americans, Culinary Health Fund, and Protect Our Care joined Rep. Susie Lee for a discussion on the importance of lowering prescription drug costs. View the post-event release here and an ICYMI including clips from the event here. 

Nevada Today: Rep. Susie Lee Holds Community Discussion on Prescription Drug Costs 

NBC 3 Las Vegas: Lee on backing impeachment inquiry: No regrets

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Tuesday, October 8 – Health Care Costs Roundtable with Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01)

Protect Our Care New Hampshire joined Congressman Chris Pappas at Potters Bakery and Cafe in Rochester, NH for an intimate discussion with constituents on health care. They discussed the skyrocketing costs of health care, and what Rep. Pappas is doing in Congress to lower costs of prescription drugs. View the post-event release here and ICYMI here.

Seacoast Online: Pappas touts effort to lower Rx drug costs

Fosters: Pappas touts effort to lower Rx drug costs

SENATE EVENTS:

ALASKA

Wednesday, October 2 – Sen. Murkowski Accountability at Health Care Conference

Alaskans attended the State of Reform health care conference in Anchorage and asked Sen. Lisa Murkowski to sign on to the Pre-Existing Conditions Act. Long-time Alaska resident Susanna Orr called on Murkowski to support people with pre-existing conditions.  Just a little over one year ago, Orr lost her husband, Jason Moore, to complications caused by Hodgkins Lymphoma that he successfully overcame during his childhood. “Jason was passionate about protections for pre-existing conditions,” said Orr. “I strongly encourage Senator Murkowski to support the Pre-Existing Conditions Act.”  View the post-event release here. 

Friday, October 11 — Letter Drop Off + Press Conference at Sen. Murkowski’s Office

Alaskans gathered ask to demand that Senator Murkowski support Senator Mark Warner’s (D-VA) resolution to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. Alaskan Anette Alfonsi spoke to the senator’s staff in her Anchorage office and asked that the senator sign on to the resolution. View the post-event release here. 

ARIZONA

Tuesday, October 8 – Accountability Event at Sen. McSally’s Phoenix Office 

Arizonans gathered to demand that Senator McSally support Senator Mark Warner’s (D-VA) resolution to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. Senator McSally was nowhere to be found. Patricia Thomas of Tolleson, Arizona drove almost an hour to visit Senator McSally’s office this morning. “Protections for pre-existing conditions are crucial. I have a pre-existing condition and so does just about everyone I know. If Senator McSally doesn’t vote to keep these protections in place, she will put millions of Arizonans in danger. We need her to do the right thing and stand up for the people she is supposed to represent.”  View the post-event release here.

Arizona Capitol Times McSally foe of people with pre-existing conditions 

COLORADO

Friday, October 4 – Accountability Event at Sen. Gardner’s Denver Office

Protect Our Care Colorado was joined by health care advocates to call on Senator Gardner to stand up for health care by signing onto Senator Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Warner’s (D-VA) Protect Pre-Existing Conditions Act. Even though his own state prohibits “junk plans,” Senator Cory Gardner refuses to stand up to the Trump Administration by protecting people with pre-existing conditions and opposing bare bones short term plans at the federal level. View the post-event release here.

IOWA

Friday, October 4 – Sen. Ernst Town Hall

Protect Our Care Iowa attended a town hall hosted by Sen. Ernst to ask her to sign on to the Pre-Existing Conditions Act introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Mark Warner. Instead, Sen. Ernst confessed to the crowd that she “did vote to repeal the ACA.” In fact, she’s voted to repeal the ACA numerous times — which would eliminate protections for the 1,288,400 Iowans with pre-existing conditions. View the post-event release here. 

Iowa Starting Line: Joni Ernst: “Yes, I Did Vote to Repeal the ACA”

Thursday, October 10 – Sen. Ernst Accountability Event

Iowans gathered on Thursday to demand that Senator Ernst support Senator Mark Warner’s (D-VA) resolution to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. They converged on Sen. Ernst’s office in Cedar Rapids and asked the Senator to support key health care legislation. “It’s beyond frustrating to visit your Senator’s office and feel like you can’t get an answer,” said Linda Fritts, from Hiawatha, Iowa. “Senator Ernst has the chance to once and for all protect people with pre-existing conditions, and she’s refusing to do it. Thankfully we’ll have a vote of our own next year, and we will remember whose side she’s really on.” View the video of the office visit here and read the post-event release here. 

MAINE

Thursday, October 10 – Event at Sen. Collins’ Portland Office

Protect Our Care Maine was joined by state legislators to call on Senator Collins to stand up for Mainers with pre-existing conditions by signing on to Senator Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Warner’s (D-VA) resolution to protect people with pre-existing conditions and limit junk insurance plans. State Senator Heather Sanborn, State Representative Drew Gattine, and State Representative Victoria Foley joined the event. View the post-event release here.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Wednesday, October 9 – Sen. Shaheen Thank You Event with Protect Our Care

Protect Our Care New Hampshire presented Senator Shaheen and her health care staff with a certificate of appreciation for her “efforts to defend the health care of our most vulnerable citizens. Sen. Shaheen has been on the frontlines of working to limit the push of “junk” health insurance plans, which cover less and cost more, including introducing a resolution in the Senate. See press release here.

NORTH CAROLINA

Thursday, October 10 – Resolution Drop at Sen. Tillis’ Charlotte Office 

North Carolina advocates demanded Senator Tillis support Senator Mark Warner’s (D-VA) resolution to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. North Carolinians also voiced their support of House Democratic legislation, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, and urged Thom Tillis to support it. View the post-event release here. 

A newly-released, nonpartisan analysis from the Congressional Budget Office and the CMS Office of the Actuary on House Democrats’ landmark legislation to lower prescription drug costs for Americans (H.R. 3), shows it will reduce negotiated drug prices by as much as 55% – saving patients an estimated $158 billion over the next few years. 

According to the CBO and CMS Actuary analysis, H.R. 3 will:  

• Reduce U.S. prices for negotiated drugs by 40-55% on average (CBO). 
• Decrease deficits by $345 billion over the next seven years (CBO).
• Save patients an estimated $158 billion over the next seven years (Office of the Actuary).

Key quotes from CBO analysis of H.R. 3: 

• “…lower prices would increase use of drugs and improve people’s health.”
• “Additional effects to include lower premiums in the commercial market and a corresponding increase in federal revenues.” [CBO letter, 10/11/19]  

The Hill: CBO: Pelosi bill to lower drug prices saves Medicare $345 billion. “In addition, an analysis of the bill from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ actuary found that the bill would save American households $158 billion over 10 years through lower premiums and out of pocket spending on drugs, and that total U.S. spending on health care would decline by $480 billion under the bill.” [The Hill, 10/11/19] 

CNBC: “The CBO said the largest savings would come from the provision that allows Medicare to negotiate lower prices on as many as 250 of the most expensive drugs per year and apply those discounts to private health plans across the U.S. The legislation includes a penalty on pharmaceutical companies that refuse to negotiate or fail to reach an agreement with the U.S. government, starting at 65% of the gross sales of the drug in question.” [CNBC, 10/14/19] 

STAT News: Congressional Budget Office says Pelosi drug pricing bill could save $345 billion. “A controversial prescription drug pricing bill championed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) would reduce federal spending on Medicare Part D by $345 billion between 2023 and 2029, mostly thanks to a provision that ties prices to what some other countries pay for medicines, according to an analysis released late last week by the Congressional Budget Office.” [STAT News, 10/14/19]