***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, 3/23/26, AT 11AM PT***
Los Angeles, CA – Monday, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Zoe Lofgren and Dr. Jerry P. Abraham will join Protect Our Care California to mark the 16th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and hold Republicans accountable for waging an all-out assault on working families’ access to affordable, quality health care. The ACA has saved lives and survived countless attempts at repeal, but Republicans still want to destroy it. This year, Republicans caused premiums to more than double by eliminating the enhanced premium tax credits, and as a direct result, 50,000 Californians dropped their ACA coverage during the 2026 open enrollment period. Speakers will discuss the devastating consequences of forcing Californian families to choose between health care and other essential expenses, and call upon their elected officials to reinstate the tax credits.
The ACA has helped over 5 million Californians enroll in health insurance since it was established and kept them healthy by expanding coverage for Californians with pre-existing conditions, and essential benefits like preventative care and prescription drugs. Last year, more people relied on the ACA than ever before, but Republicans still want to make health care unaffordable in order to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. Without the tax credits, too many will forgo routine doctor’s visits, public health outcomes will worsen, and more families will go into medical debt, sending the country years back in progress to keep people insured and healthy. The ACA also expanded Medicaid, which has been shown to decrease income inequality, increase access to preventative care, and save lives. However, the Republicans’ big, ugly bill includes the largest cuts to the program in history. These cuts could cause nearly 20 million Americans to lose health coverage that they gained through Medicaid expansion.
WHO:
House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11)
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18)
Dr. Jerry P. Abraham, MD MPH CMQ, Los Angeles County Medical Association Past President, Trustee of the California Medical Association
Matt Herdman, Protect Our Care California
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference
WHEN: Monday, 3/23/26, 11am PT
WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (registration required)