Statement

Senate HELP Committee Chair Bernie Sanders Calls On Merck and J&J to Explain Sky-High Prices for American Patients 

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is holding a press conference calling on Merck and J&J CEOs to testify in front of the Senate HELP Committee about high drug prices. The news comes as the HELP Committee is scheduled to vote on a subpoena for both CEOs next week. To date, these companies have refused to testify despite producing some of the most expensive prescription drugs on the market. Both companies are suing the federal government to stop Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices for seniors in a blatant effort to protect their massive profits. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“We commend Senator Sanders for his tireless efforts to bring down drug prices for patients. While companies like Merck and J&J are raking in billions, Americans are routinely skipping doses and cutting pills in half because of the outrageous cost of lifesaving medications. Merck and J&J’s Janssen are in court right now to stop Medicare from negotiating lower prices in order to keep prices high for patients. We are all sick and tired of being ripped off by big drug companies, and these CEOs owe it to the American people to testify.” 

Background:

GREED WATCH: Johnson and Johnson Touts Strong Earnings As They Sue to Protect Their Profits By Blocking Medicare From Negotiating Lower Prices

GREED WATCH: Merck Announces Over One Billion More Revenue This Quarter Than Last Year

With Trump Marching Toward the GOP Nomination, Health Care is Once Again on the Chopping Block

Washington, D.C. — This evening, Donald Trump secured another victory in the 2024 primary, bringing him one step closer to the GOP nomination. Already, Trump has reignited his calls to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which would hike health care costs, throw millions of Americans off their coverage, and rip away vital protections from millions more. Once again, the issue is front and center leading up to this election. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“Trump’s victory in New Hampshire shows he is marching toward the GOP nomination, threatening the health and livelihoods of millions of households across the nation. We’re at a crossroads: While President Biden has delivered real relief to the American people by lowering costs and expanding affordable coverage, Trump has vowed to take all of this progress away and throw the health care system into chaos. Trump’s relentless calls for repealing the ACA demonstrate that the issue of health care will be front and center as voters head to the polls in November. Repealing the ACA would rip away protections for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions, hike health care costs for working families, and throw millions of people off their health insurance. At a time when more Americans are enrolling in the ACA than ever before, it is outlandish that the likely GOP nominee is even considering another attempt at repeal. Sadly, the threat to American health care is as real as ever.” 

If the Affordable Care Act is repealed:

• 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 more than men.
• GONE: Ban on insurance companies having annual and lifetime caps on coverage.
• GONE: Requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care.
• GONE: Protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, including 54 million people with a pre-existing condition that would make them completely uninsurable.
• GONE: Medicaid expansion, which covers more than 22 million people. 
• GONE: Quality, affordable coverage that over 15.5 million people who buy insurance on their own.
• GONE: Premium tax credits that make premiums affordable for 80 percent of people who purchase health care on the marketplace.
• GONE: 50 million seniors will have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare ‘donut hole’ will be reopened.
• GONE: Critical funding for rural hospitals. 
• GONE: 61.5 million Medicare beneficiaries will face higher costs and disruptions to their medical care. 

Washington, DC — Today, the Supreme Court issued a ruling overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision and revoking health care rights for millions of women across the nation. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“Today, the highest court in the land solidified its attack on fundamental human rights. By voting to overturn Roe, the Trump-appointed justices lied to the American people, disregarded the Constitution, and created a health care crisis. This decision will kickstart a wave of laws banning abortion, stripping millions of control of their own bodies and their right to safe access to care. 

“Every Republican lawmaker who voted for these justices owns this decision, and Americans will hold them accountable. The elected officials who want to ban abortions are the same people who refuse to support the Momnibus legislation, which would combat infant and maternal mortality crisis, oppose Medicaid expansion, which has proven to improve health outcomes for mothers and their babies, and are fighting common sense reforms to lower the cost of health care for working families. We won’t give up the fight until access to safe, quality health care — including reproductive care — is a right for every American.”

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, D.C. — Today, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) announced his intention to retire after serving for 46 years in the U.S. Senate. During his time on Capitol Hill, Senator Leahy played an essential role in passing and protecting the Affordable Care Act, fighting for a future where every American has access to quality, affordable health care. 

“During his long and distinguished tenure in the United States Senate, Senator Leahy was a relentless defender of health care and of the Affordable Care Act,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “I had the privilege to work for Senator Leahy as a member of his committee staff nearly 35 years ago, and his passion, integrity and commitment to justice and to the country left an indelible mark. America, and all of us who learned by seeing him do his job, owe him a debt of gratitude.”

“Senator Leahy is a true health care champion, and his leadership will be sorely missed in the Senate,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “For 46 years, Senator Leahy has fought tirelessly to expand and protect health care for Vermonters and all Americans, including playing a leading role in working to protect the Affordable Care Act at the Supreme Court last year. We wish the senator all the best in his retirement, and we will keep up the fight to ensure health care is a right for every American.” 

 

Washington, DC — Today, under the leadership of President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrats reached a historic agreement to pass the most significant expansion of American health care in more than a decade. The framework includes reducing health care premiums for people who buy health insurance on their own, extending coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, expanding Medicare benefits to cover hearing, and investing $150 billion to expand home care for seniors and people with disabilities. Health care remains a fundamental part of the Build Back Better agenda, and the proposals to reduce costs and expand care are overwhelmingly popular with voters across the political spectrum. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“Thanks to the leadership of President Biden, Democrats are going to pass the most significant expansion to health care since the Affordable Care Act. The framework announced today will increase coverage and lower costs for millions of Americans, and working families will now have the health care they need. Today’s announcement shows President Biden and Democrats in Congress are working to deliver on a future where health care is a right, not a privilege. 

“The Build Back Better Act will lower health insurance premiums for more than nine million Americans who buy health care on their own and provide coverage for millions of families. Closing the Medicaid coverage gap is the single most important step Congress can take to reduce racial inequities in health care, and it will save lives and strengthen families. Expanding hearing benefits in Medicare and investing in home care will significantly improve the health and well-being of seniors and people with disabilities nationwide. 

“The failure to include any measures to lower prescription drug prices is a victory for Big Pharma and a profound loss for the American people. As a result of millions of dollars in campaign contributions, and the actions of a handful of pro-Pharma lawmakers, the current framework would allow drug companies to continue to charge outrageous prices, and Americans will continue to struggle to pay for the medications they need to survive. We pledge to keep fighting for lower drug costs and urge others to do the same as the bill is considered by the House and Senate.”

Washington, DC — On November 10, 2020 — one week after the election — the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in California v. Texas, a case that could overturn the entire Affordable Care Act, including protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions and throw our entire health care system into chaos. Following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued a statement on the upcoming fight for the future of Americans’ health care access:

“Donald Trump is before the Supreme Court right now trying to strike down the Affordable Care Act in its entirety, including protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. Trying to dismantle the health care law and all the protections it affords to Americans is extremely unpopular with voters, but President Trump was depending on the fact that relatively few voters know about the case. With the national spotlight now on the Supreme Court, President Trump won’t be able to hide behind his health care lies anymore. Voters will know that Donald Trump is fighting to take away protections for people with pre-existing conditions and that he and every Republican on the ballot are trying to rip health care away from millions in the middle of a pandemic. This is a health care election. Period.” 

BACKGROUND:

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 16 million people. 
• GONE: Nearly 12 million seniors will have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare ‘donut hole’ will be reopened.
• GONE: 2.3 million adult children will no longer be able to stay on their parents’ insurance. 
• GONE: Insurance companies will be able to charge women 50 percent more than men.
• GONE: Financial assistance that helps 9 million people purchase health care in the marketplace.
• GONE: Key support for rural hospitals. As Americans lose coverage, already struggling hospitals will be hit even harder as their costs increase.
• GONE: Ban on insurance companies having lifetime caps on coverage.
• GONE: Requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care.

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

Washington, DC — Today, leaders of the Senate HELP Committee unveiled health care legislation to address, among other things, surprise medical bills. In response, Protect Our Care executive director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:

“So long as Senate Republicans remain Trump’s top lieutenants in his war on America’s health care, they should not receive credit for solving a problem they have made worse for the American people. Surprise medical billing is a serious issue for patients navigating our health care system, and while it’s encouraging that the Senate is addressing the problem, Republicans do not deserve a pat on the back while they continue supporting the destruction of America’s health care. If Republicans actually cared about patients and improving our health care system, they would denounce Trump’s disastrous Texas lawsuit, disavow junk plans and call for an end to the relentless repeal and sabotage agenda he and they continue to pursue.”

Washington, DC — Monday, the Trump Administration took their war on health care to a new level by informing the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that they supported the overthrow of the entire health care system by overturning the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In response, Protect Our Care chair Leslie Dach released the following statement:

“The Trump Administration’s support for overturning the entire Affordable Care Act is a reckless escalation of their war on health care that puts the care of millions of Americans at risk. With his latest attack on our health care system, President Trump confirmed what we all know to be true: he and Republicans are hell bent to take away protections for more than 100 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, rip coverage away from millions, and raising costs for countless more.

“In November, voters overwhelmingly rejected President Trump’s health care repeal and sabotage agenda, yet he remains dead set on accomplishing through the courts what he and his allies in Congress couldn’t do legislatively: fully repeal the law, devastate American health care and leave millions of Americans at risk.”

BACKGROUND:

If the Affordable Care Act is struck down:

• GONE: Protections for 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. The uninsured rate will increase by 65 percent.
• GONE: Medicaid expansion, which covers 17 million people.
• GONE: Nearly 12 million seniors will have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare ‘donut hole’ will be reopened.
• GONE: 2.3 million adult children will no longer be able to stay on their parents’ insurance.
• GONE: Insurance companies will be able to charge women 50 percent more than men.
• GONE: Financial assistance that helps 9 million people purchase health care in the marketplace.
• GONE: Key support for rural hospitals. As Americans lose coverage, already struggling hospitals will be hit even harder as their costs increase.
• GONE: Ban on insurance companies having lifetime caps on coverage.
• GONE: Requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care.