Press Call

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 9 AT 12:15 PM ET***

Echoing President Biden’s Remarks, Speakers Will Call Out Republicans for Working to Rip Health Coverage Away from Millions of People

LANSING, MI – On Thursday, March 9, at 12:15 ET, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and health  care leaders will join Protect Our Care Michigan to discuss the GOP’s real threats to slash Medicaid and dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For months, Republicans have promised to use their House majority to defund Medicare and Medicaid, and repeal the Affordable Care Act and Inflation Reduction Act rather than make companies and the wealthy pay their fair share.

Recent press reports indicate that GOP lawmakers have been meeting with Russ Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under former President Trump, as they begin to draft a budget to use as part of their threat to tank the economy and default on the nation’s debt if President Biden doesn’t agree to slash health care and other programs. Vought’s plan would cut $2 trillion from Medicaid alone and repeal Medicaid expansion, which covers 20 million people. This is the latest in a long line of Republican attacks on Medicaid.

Speakers will describe how the Republican plan would be catastrophic for Michiganders and disproportionately impact children, rural communities, people with disabilities, and people of color. Speakers will also discuss new polling showing widespread support for Medicaid among voters, as well as significant opposition to cuts in Medicaid funding.

Learn more about the latest Republican attacks on health care here.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow
Dr. Farhan Bhatti, CEO and Medical Director of Care Free Medical
Eric Schneidewind, past AARP national president, Michigan senior on Medicare

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)

WHEN: Thursday, March 9 AT 12:15 PM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1 AT 12:00 PM ET***

Washington, DC — On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), and Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) will join Protect Our Care for a press call following President Biden’s speech on the GOP’s real threats to slash Medicaid and dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For months Republicans have openly stated their goal for their House majority – to gut health care programs to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. During the call, speakers will discuss how the GOP remains committed to ripping away protections for pre-existing conditions, raising premiums, and throwing millions off their coverage.

Recent press reports indicate that GOP lawmakers have been meeting with Russ Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under former President Trump, as they begin to draft a budget to use as part of their threat to tank the economy and default on the nation’s debt if President Biden doesn’t agree to slash health care and other programs. 

Vought’s plan would cut $2 trillion from Medicaid alone and repeal Medicaid expansion, which covers 20 million people. This is the latest in a long line of Republican attacks on Medicaid. The plan also makes extensive cuts to the Affordable Care Act, eliminates protections for pre-existing conditions, and removes the premium tax credits that make coverage affordable for 15 million Americans. Vought’s plan would be catastrophic for the American people and disproportionately impact children, rural Americans, and people of color.

Read more here.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06)
U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29)
U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06)
Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care 

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference 

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Wednesday, March 1 at 12:00 PM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 AT 11:30 AM ET***

Call Will Also Address Republican Efforts to Slash Medicare and Medicaid

Washington, DC — On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, U.S. House Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06) and U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-07) will join patient advocates and Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss the ongoing efforts to expand the Inflation Reduction Act’s insulin savings to every American. The event is part of Protect Our Care’s “Fortnight of Action” to showcase the Inflation Reduction Act’s $35 insulin cap that benefits more than three million seniors nationwide. Lowering insulin costs are especially important for people of color, who disproportionately suffer from diabetes and are more likely to skip, ration, or completely forgo insulin as a result of outrageous costs. Read more about the lifesaving policy here. 

Last year, Republicans in Congress blocked a provision that would have extended the cap to people with private insurance — once again putting Big Pharma’s profits over real people. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are fighting to extend these savings to everyone. This would be a key step to ensuring access to the medicine an estimated 21 million patients need to thrive.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06)
U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-07)
Elise Oberdorfer-Douglas, Patient Storyteller
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care 

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference 

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Tuesday, February 21 at 11:30 AM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 AT 11:30 AM ET***

Call Will Also Address Republican Efforts to Slash Medicare and Medicaid

Washington, DC — On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, U.S. House Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06) and U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-07) will join patient advocates and Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss the ongoing efforts to expand the Inflation Reduction Act’s insulin savings to every American. The event is part of Protect Our Care’s “Fortnight of Action” to showcase the Inflation Reduction Act’s $35 insulin cap that benefits more than three million seniors nationwide. Lowering insulin costs are especially important for people of color, who disproportionately suffer from diabetes and are more likely to skip, ration, or completely forgo insulin as a result of outrageous costs. Read more about the lifesaving policy here. 

Last year, Republicans in Congress blocked a provision that would have extended the cap to people with private insurance — once again putting Big Pharma’s profits over real people. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are fighting to extend these savings to everyone. This would be a key step to ensuring access to the medicine an estimated 21 million patients need to thrive.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06)
U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-07)
Reverend Leela Waller, Patient Storyteller
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care 

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference 

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Tuesday, February 21 at 11:30 AM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 AT 10:45 AM ET***

Lawmakers Have Long Promised to Rein in High Drug Prices, Lower Health Costs, and Expand Access — President Biden and Democrats Are Getting the Job Done.

LANSING, MI – On Thursday, Feb. 16, at 10:45 a.m. ET, Congressman Dan Kildee and policy advocates will join Protect Our Care Michigan to discuss how President Biden and Democrats in Congress have worked to pass historic health care measures, lower costs, and expand access to care in Michigan and across the country.  

This event comes after President Biden’s State of the Union address, where he celebrated the administration’s accomplishments and outlined further action to lower costs and improve care for people across the nation. Prior to the president’s address, Protect Our Care released its agenda for 2023, calling on Congress to keep up the momentum to lower health care costs, improve care, and advance health equity. 

In January, the Inflation Reduction Act’s lifesaving provision to cap insulin Medicare copays at $35 per month went into effect, benefiting more than 3 million seniors. Last year, Republicans in Congress blocked Congressman Kildee’s legislation which would have extended the cap to people with private insurance — putting Big Pharma’s profits over real people. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are fighting to extend these savings to everyone. This would help an estimated 21 million patients afford this vital medication. 

PRESS CALL: 

WHO:
Dan Kildee, U.S. Congressman, Michigan’s Eighth District
Amber Bellazaire, Policy Analyst, Michigan League for Public Policy
Eric Schneidewind, Michigan Senior on Medicare 

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference 

WHEN: Wednesday, February 16, at 10:45 AM ET 

WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)

 ***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 AT 12:30 PM ET // 9:30 AM PT***

Senator Wyden, Rep. Neal, and Protect Our Care to Celebrate Lower Health Care Costs and Discuss Need to Protect and Strengthen the Inflation Reduction Act

Washington, DC — On Monday, February 6, 2023 at 12:30 PM ET, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) will join patient advocates and Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss how Democrats have delivered the most important health care improvements since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expanding affordable coverage, driving down prescription drug costs, strengthening Medicaid for moms and kids, and reducing inequities in care. As it stands, a record 16.3 million people signed up for coverage under the ACA marketplaces, seniors are saving on insulin and vaccine costs, and the uninsured rate has reached an all time low. 

The event comes ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union address, where he will celebrate the administration’s accomplishments and outline further action to lower costs and improve care for people across the nation. Republicans, on the other hand, are doubling down on their war on health care by raising premiums, ending Medicare and Medicaid as we know it, reversing recent coverage gains, and hiking prescription drug costs for the American people. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
U.S. Representative Richard E. Neal (D-MA)
Linda Hamacher, patient advocate
Randie Snow, patient advocate
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Monday, February 6, 2023 at 12:30 PM ET // 9:30 AM PT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 AT 11:30 AM ET // 10:30 AM CT***

Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (IL-02) and U.S. Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) along with Sarah Coombs from the National Partnership for Women and Families will join Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss how the Congressional end-of-year package provides a critical opportunity to improve coverage for children, moms, and everyone on Medicaid. 

During the event, speakers will outline an agenda to expand postpartum coverage, require 12 months of “continuous coverage” for children, permanently reauthorize CHIP funding, pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021, and strengthen Medicaid coverage in Puerto Rico. These steps will prevent coverage loss, support rural hospitals, improve health outcomes, advance equity, and save lives. Protect Our Care’s end-of-year agenda can be found here. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02)
U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14)
Sarah Coombs, National Partnership for Women and Families
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference 

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Tuesday, November 15 at 11:30 AM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9 AT 11:30 AM ET***

Kelley v. Becerra Threatens to End Free Lifesaving Preventive Health Care for 150 Million Americans

Washington, DC — On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 11:30 AM ET, U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), legal experts and health care advocates will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss the latest developments in the Kelley v. Becerra lawsuit, which threatens lifesaving preventive care services guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

The call comes after U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor ruled yesterday to invalidate all of the benefits covered under the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, including lifesaving colorectal and other cancer screenings, depression screenings, hypertension screenings, and access to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Judge O’Connor’s ruling also threatens to wipe out free access to contraception, prenatal care, vaccinations, and more. More than 150 million Americans relied on these services in 2020. Read more about the case here.  

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-03)
Katie Keith, Georgetown University
Sharita Gruberg, VP for Economic Justice at the National Partnership for Women & Families
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Friday, September 9, 2022 at 11:30 AM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9 AT 11:30 AM ET***

Kelley v. Becerra Threatens to End Free Lifesaving Preventive Health Care for 150 Million Americans

Washington, DC — On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 11:30 AM ET, legal experts and health care advocates will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss the latest developments in the Kelley v. Becerra lawsuit, which threatens lifesaving preventive care services guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

The call comes after U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor ruled yesterday to invalidate all of the benefits covered under the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, including lifesaving colorectal and other cancer screenings, depression screenings, hypertension screenings, and access to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Judge O’Connor’s ruling also threatens to wipe out free access to contraception, prenatal care, vaccinations, and more. More than 150 million Americans relied on these services in 2020. Read more about the case here.  

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
Katie Keith, Georgetown University
Sharita Gruberg, VP for Economic Justice at the National Partnership for Women & Families
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Friday, September 9, 2022 at 11:30 AM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 AT 1:30 PM ET // 12:30 PM CT***

Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, September 7 at 1:30 PM ET // 12:30 PM CT, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) and health care advocates will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss how millions of seniors will benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act’s prescription drug savings. Speakers will also discuss how the historic legislation works to drive down premium costs for families nationwide. On average, Americans could save thousands of dollars a year thanks to these provisions, delivering long-overdue relief to help them get the health care they need and pay for other essentials like food, gas, and rent. 

The event comes as Protect Our Care is continuing to highlight the Inflation Reduction Act’s critical measures to drive down health care costs, reduce prescription drug prices, and combat racial disparities in care. This week, Protect Our Care is focusing on how the bill reduces health care premiums for 13 million families purchasing coverage on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. More information on Protect Our Care’s Inflation Reduction Act theme weeks can be found here. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09)
Doug Hart, patient storyteller and Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans member
Dr. Jessica Ice, Executive Director of West Virginians for Affordable Healthcare and patient storyteller
Anne Shoup, Communications Director for Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Wednesday, September 7 at 1:30 PM ET // 12:30 PM CT