News

Protect Our Care Builds on Seven-Figure Campaign With New Ads in 8 Key Districts Around the Country

Watch the Ad Here

Iowa — Today, Protect Our Care is releasing a new ad highlighting U.S. Representative Cindy Axne’s (IA-03) efforts to bring down health care costs for Iowans. The ad features a testimonial from Jessica, who struggles to afford the high premiums on her health insurance. In the ad, Jessica tells her personal story and thanks lawmakers like Rep. Axne for standing up to big insurance companies and expanding affordable coverage to working people. 

Polling shows that health care consistently ranks as a top concern for Americans, particularly when they are concerned about higher prices. People across political parties overwhelmingly support reforms to bring down health care costs. Protect Our Care’s new ad will begin running on Tuesday, May 17 on broadcast and cable television, streaming services, YouTube and other digital platforms. 

The new ad is part of a multi-million dollar campaign announced last month to support health care champions fighting to lower health care costs. The overall campaign is focused in the following districts: Reps. Cindy Axne (IA-03), Angie Craig (MN-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Susie Lee (NV-03), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), and Susan Wild (PA-07). Last month, Protect Our Care released ads highlighting Rep. Axne’s work to ban surprise medical bills and lower insurance premiums. Watch the first ads in the series here.

“Rep. Axne is working tirelessly to lower the costs of health insurance for Iowans.” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Iowans are worried about rising costs and Rep. Axne is leading the fight to give them more breathing room as they manage their family budget. Thanks to Rep. Axne’s efforts, we are closer than ever to ensuring Iowans can afford the health care they need.” 

Ad Script for IA-03:

Jessica: As someone who faces a number of chronic health conditions, I was paying as much each month for my health insurance as I was my mortgage. So when Congress passed the bill that lowered my premiums – that made a huge difference.

Narrator: Congresswoman Cindy Axne got it done. Passing the bill that lowered premiums for millions of families. 

 Jessica: I’m saving 200 hundred dollars a month – that’s money for groceries, for bills …that’s a big deal for us.

Narrator: Congresswoman Axne. Lowering costs, for us.

Protect Our Care Builds on Seven-Figure Campaign With New Ads in 8 Key Districts Around the Country

Watch the Ad Here

Michigan — Today, Protect Our Care is releasing a new ad highlighting U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin’s (MI-08) efforts to bring down health care and prescription drug costs for Michiganders. The ad features a testimonial from Mindy, a Type I diabetic who struggles to afford life saving medications. In the ad, Mindy tells her personal story and thanks lawmakers like Rep. Slotkin for standing up to big pharmaceutical companies and fighting to lower prescription drug prices and cap insulin costs.

Polling shows that health care consistently ranks as a top concern for Americans, particularly when they are concerned about higher prices. People across political parties overwhelmingly support reforms to bring down health care costs. Protect Our Care’s new ad will begin running on Tuesday, May 17 on broadcast and cable television, streaming services, YouTube and other digital platforms.

The new ad is part of a multi-million dollar campaign announced last month to support health care champions fighting to lower health care costs. The overall campaign is focused in the following districts: Reps. Cindy Axne (IA-03), Angie Craig (MN-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Susie Lee (NV-03), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), and Susan Wild (PA-07). Last month, Protect Our Care released ads highlighting Rep. Slotkin’s work to ban surprise medical bills and lower insulin prices. Watch the first ads in the series here.

“Rep. Slotkin is working tirelessly to lower the costs of health insurance and prescription drugs for Michiganders,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Michiganders are worried about rising costs and Rep. Slotkin is leading the fight to give them more breathing room as they manage their family budget. Thanks to Rep. Slotkin’s efforts, we are closer than ever to ensuring Michiganders can afford the health care they need.”

Ad Script for MI-08:

The drug companies just keep raising prices.


I pay three hundred and fifty dollars for my diabetes medication.

I can’t keep up with that…

But finally, Congress is doing something about it.

Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin.

She’s taking on big drug companies to cap the cost of Insulin, and to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.

Fighting to bring down drug costs  – that means everything to me.
Congresswoman  Elissa Slotkin.

Lowering costs, for us.

New Ads Will Launch in 8 Key Districts Around the Country and Include Broadcast, Cable and Digital Platforms

Watch the New Ads Here

Washington, DC — Protect Our Care is starting new ads as part of its now $6 million campaign about members of Congress who’ve been working to bring down health care costs for American families. The first ad tells the story of Jessica, a single mom with multiple chronic health conditions, who saved $200 per month because these members delivered lower health insurance premiums in the American Rescue Plan. The second ad features Mindy, a Type I diabetic, highlighting members fighting to give Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices. 

The new ads will begin running on Tuesday, May 17 in the following districts: Reps. Cindy Axne (IA-03), Angie Craig (MN-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Susie Lee (NV-03), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), and Susan Wild (PA-07). Last month, Protect Our Care launched the seven-figure dollar campaign with ads highlighting eight key members of Congress and their work to ban surprise medical bills and lower insulin prices. Watch the first ads in the series here.

“These lawmakers have led the fight for lower health care costs so families can pay their bills, balance their budgets, and breathe a little easier at night. They have cut health insurance premiums and are standing up to big drug companies to reduce the cost of prescription drugs,,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Americans from all walks of life support reforms to lower premium costs, give Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, and reduce the cost of care. These members are delivering real results, and they won’t quit until health care is affordable for every American.”

Sample Ad Scripts:

Jessica – Bringing Down Health Insurance Premiums (IA-03)

Jessica: As someone who faces a number of chronic health conditions, I was paying as much each month for my health insurance as I was my mortgage. So when Congress passed the bill that lowered my premiums – that made a huge difference.

Narrator: Congresswoman Cindy Axne got it done. Passing the bill that lowered premiums for millions of families. 

Jessica: I’m saving 200 hundred dollars a month – that’s month for groceries, for bills …that’s a big deal for us.

Narrator: Congresswoman Slotkin. Lowering costs, for us.

Mindy – Bringing Down Drug Prices (MI-08)

Mindy: The drug companies just keep raising prices. I pay three hundred and fifty dollars for my diabetes medication. I can’t keep up with that. Finally, Congress is doing something about it.

 Narrator: Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. She’s taking on big drug companies to cap the cost of Insulin, and to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.

Mindy: Fighting to bring down drug costs  – that means everything to me and my family.

Narrator: Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. Lowering costs, for us.

Links to each of the ads can be found below:
Reps. Cindy Axne (IA-03)
Angie Craig (MN-02)
Sharice Davids (KS-03)
Andy Kim (NJ-03)
Susie Lee (NV-03)
Elissa Slotkin (MI-08)
Abigail Spanberger (VA-07)
Susan Wild (PA-07)

And the Republican Plan? A Big Fat “No” on Lowering Health Care Costs and a “Yes” on Returning to an Agenda of Repealing Health Care

Today, President Biden will deliver a speech on Democrats’ plans to lower costs amid rising inflation. Between fighting to lower health premiums and prescription drug prices and expanding affordable coverage to working families, Democrats are working tirelessly to lower everyday costs for the American people. The health care provisions in President Biden’s economic plan are among the most efficient and direct ways to put more money in people’s pockets, saving many families thousands of dollars on their annual health care needs. These reforms will give people more breathing room to pay for other necessities like food, child care, and rent, and they will help ensure families are able to access the health care they need. Meanwhile, Republicans have offered zero plans to curb inflation and oppose these reforms that would lower health care costs for millions of Americans. Even worse, Republicans have doubled down on their commitment to repealing lower health care premiums and other protections under the Affordable Care Act. Voters across parties agree: it’s time for Congress to act to lower health care costs now. 

How President Biden’s Agenda Lowers the Cost of Living

1. Checks Big Pharma’s Greed And Cuts Drug Costs. Over the past 20 years, price increases for brand-name drugs in Medicare Part D have risen at more than twice the rate of inflation. President Biden’s plan stops this predatory practice from Big Pharma by prohibiting drug companies from raising prices faster than the rate of inflation. This cap is essential to stop arbitrary price increases on life saving medications. Additionally, Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs would be capped at $2,000 per year and insulin co-pays for all Americans with insurance would be capped at $35 each month, dramatically lowering the cost of living for millions of Americans.
2. Cuts Monthly Premiums For Millions Of Americans. In 2021, 14.5 million people signed up for health coverage through an ACA marketplace. This is the highest number of Americans to ever enroll and it is thanks to the premium savings created in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Families are now saving an average of $2,400 a year on their health insurance premiums, with a guaranteed option to purchase health care for less than 8.5 percent of their income. Previously, families earning just above 400 percent of the federal poverty level spent an average of 15 percent of their incomes on health insurance. President Biden’s plan also has eliminated premiums for Americans earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level who buy their coverage on the marketplace. President Biden’s plan is a critical tool in lowering the cost of living, which is exactly why 17 recipients of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences authored an open letter in support of President Biden’s plan and urged its passage. 
   • Reduces Racial Disparities In Health Coverage. The premium savings provided in the American Rescue Plan have made more than 65 percent of uninsured Black adults eligible for zero dollar premium plans and 75 percent eligible for plans less than $50 a month. For uninsured Hispanic and Latino adults, now more than 68 percent are eligible for zero dollar premium plans and nearly 80 percent can access plans for less than $50 a month. Health coverage access is imperative to reducing the racial wealth gap and racial disparities in health coverage.
   • Cuts Costs For Rural America. Thanks to the ARP, roughly 65 percent of rural Americans can access zero dollar premium health coverage and more than 76 percent are able to find a plan for less than $50 a month, narrowing the coverage differences between rural and urban America, giving rural Americans some much needed financial breathing room.
3. Closes The Medicaid Gap And Cuts Medical Debt. President Biden’s plan would allow more than two million Americans currently trapped in the Medicaid coverage gap to access zero dollar premium health coverage. Of those currently in the coverage gap, 62 percent are in the labor force, 30 percent are parents with children at home, more than 25 percent are essential workers, and 15 percent of adults have a disability. Medicaid expansion under the ACA caused a significant reduction in poverty and reduced income inequality across the board by more than 5 percent. In states that have expanded Medicaid, the chance of accruing medical debt is 20 percent lower than non-expansion states and, a 2018 analysis found that Medicaid expansion led to a nearly $6 billion decline in unpaid medical bills and to higher credit scores.

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, MAY 10 AT 1:00 PM ET***

Speakers To Discuss Affordable Insulin Now Act and New Report Showing Impact of Health Coverage Affordability in Ohio if Congress Fails To Make the Premium Tax Credits Included in the American Rescue Plan Permanent  

Toledo, OH — Today, May 10, 2022 at 1:00 PM ET, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09) and Ohio health care leaders will join Protect Our Care Ohio to discuss the urgent importance of and opportunities to lower health care costs for Ohioans. They will highlight the importance of lowering insulin costs by passing the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which is co-sponsored by Rep. Kaptur. Additionally, they will discuss a new report that shows the premium tax credits included in the American Rescue Plan have made health coverage more affordable for Ohioans. The report also lays out the dire consequences if Congress fails to make the credits permanent – including that more than three million people, including 63,000 Ohioans, could lose their coverage.

VIRTUAL EVENT
WHO:
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09)
Samuel Camacho, Certified Navigator, Affordable Care Act, UHCAN Ohio
John Kennedy, a type-1 diabetic and advocate for Ohio Insulin4All

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference 

WHEN: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 1:00 PM ET

WHERE: Register For the Event Here

New polling from Navigator confirms broad support for Democrats’ economic plan to lower costs for the American people. Overall, 67 percent of voters support the package, including 88 percent of Democrats, 66 percent of independents, and 42 percent of Republicans. According to Navigator, voters report that out of all of the policies in the plan, voters’ top priorities are capping insulin costs, giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, and extending hearing benefits to seniors. Roughly six in 10 voters reported concern that Republican control meant costs would keep going up, particularly as they are blocking lower drug prices and have voted against lower health care premiums. 

These results mirror new polling from Data for Progress and Invest in America showing voters strongly support the Democrats’ economic plan, ranking its health care provisions as the top five priorities for Congress. 

More from Navigator here.

Health care remains priority #1:

Voters strongly support Democrats’ economic plan: 

Voters agree Republicans are working to raise costs by blocking Medicare negotiation and rejecting lower health care premiums:

New polling from Data for Progress and Invest in America released yesterday shows voters strongly support Democrats’ investment package to lower costs for the American people. Across parties, 75 percent of voters support the package, compared to just 17 percent who oppose. Among all of the provisions being considered by Congress, health care ranks voters’ top five priorities. These results add to a string of recent polls confirming that voters want Congress to deliver lower health care costs, specifically by giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, capping insulin costs, lowering premiums for families purchasing coverage on their own, and improving care for seniors and people with disabilities. 

More from Data for Progress here.

Washington DC — Last night, after obtaining a leaked draft opinion, Politico reported that the Supreme Court appears to have enough votes to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. While abortion remains legal today, the decision threatens to open the floodgates for Republican states to ban abortion. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“This is a dark day in American history. After lying to the U.S. Senate and to the American people, far-right justices on the highest court in the land are poised to upend established law, disregard the Constitution, and attack fundamental human rights. If the leaked draft is accurate, we will face a health care crisis and millions of women will be stripped from their right to safe abortion access. The court is owned by the party of Trump, and we’re only beginning to see the true consequences. Every Republican who voted for these justices owns this decision and the American people will hold them accountable for their negligence. We won’t stop fighting until health care, including reproductive freedom, is a right for every American.”

Washington DC — Yesterday, Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) sent a letter in opposition of the Biden administration’s efforts to fix the “family glitch” and expand affordable health coverage to millions of working families. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“Republicans’ opposition to fixing family glitch and other common sense, popular policies shows they don’t care about helping American families. While offering zero solutions to lower people’s cost of living, Republican lawmakers are simply restating their opposition to the ACA and its protections for millions of Americans. The truth is every Republican voted against the American Rescue Plan, which delivered lower premiums for millions, and they continue to block Medicare negotiation, insulin cost caps, and expanded access to affordable coverage. If the GOP gets their way, it means you pay more and you get less — greater premiums, higher prescription drug prices, and worse care at the doctor’s office.”