Watch all bus tour stops here.
On the third and final week of Protect Our Care’s 5,800-mile, 20-event, 13-state nationwide bus tour, “Care Force One” traveled to Bangor, Portland, Concord, Raleigh, Charlotte, Asheville and Atlanta. During each stop, elected officials, health care advocates and storytellers joined Protect Our Care to call for an end to the GOP’s continued war on Americans’ health care and highlight the dire emergency created by the Trump-Republican lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act.
BANGOR, ME:
Protect Our Care was joined by State Rep. Joe Perry, State Rep. Barbara Cardone, State Sen. David Miramant, Andrea Irwin (Executive Director, Mabel Wadsworth Center), and Greg Marley (Clinical Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness) for a press conference at the Bangor Public Library.
WFVX Bangor: Lawmakers argue against Affordable Care Act lawsuit at Protect Our Care news conference
Watch the event here
PORTLAND, ME:
At Portland City Hall, Protect Our Care held a press conference with Maine House Speaker Sarah Gideon, State Rep. Thom Harnett, State Sen. Catherine Breen, Nicole Clegg of Planned Parenthood New England and Jenna Mehnert of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Portland Press Herald: Democratic candidate Gideon attacks Sen. Collins over tax vote, ACA
Maine Beacon: Health care advocates blast Collins for vote to undermine Affordable Care Act
Watch the event here
CONCORD, NH:
The “Health Care Emergency Tour” rolled into Concord for a press conference outside the New Hampshire State House with U.S. Representative Annie Kuster (NH-02), Dr. Randy Hayes of the Kent Street Coalition, Dr. Nick Perencevich, and health care advocates Carrie Durran, Pepper Nappo and Audrey Gerkin.
InDepthNH: Kuster, Advocates Want NH To Defend Affordable Care Act in Court
Watch the event here
RALEIGH, NC:
State Sen. Floyd McKissick, State Sen. Terry Van Duyn, MomsRising Health Care Director Felicia Burnett, NC Justice Center Health Advocacy Project Director Nicole Dozier, and health care advocate Leslie Boyd joined Protect Our Care for a press conference outside the federal courthouse in Raleigh.
State Sen. Floyd McKissick: “Today, I participated in a press conference sponsored by a group known as “Protect Our Care” which is travelling across our country to inform people of the potentially devastating impacts of a case known as ‘Texas Vs United States.; The primary goal of this case is to legally sabotage the Affordable Care Act. The Trump Administration and its allies are supporting this case because they are seeking to do, through the court system, what they failed to accomplish through the legislative process, which is to repeal the Affordable Care Act. If this case is successful, over 20 million Americans will lose coverage provided under the Affordable Care Act, and approximately 503,000 people will lose coverage here in NC. This will lead to a 43% increase in the uninsured rate in our state. In addition, 130 million people with preexisting conditions will potentially lose coverage in America and approximately 3.9 million people with preexisting conditions could lose coverage right here in NC. [State Sen. McKissick Facebook, 8/21/19]
State Sen. Terry Van Duyn: “As a former ACA Navigator, I saw how people reacted to getting health insurance for the first time. Not only did it mean the promise of getting healthy, it also meant they could work more and provide better lives for themselves and their families. We must continue the fight to protect the Affordable Care Act and ensure that every American can afford their health care.” [State Sen. Van Duyn Facebook, 8/21/19]
NC Policy Watch: Lawmakers, citizens speak out against Affordable Care Act lawsuit
Watch the event here
CHARLOTTE, NC:
In Charlotte, Protect Our Care was joined by Mecklenburg County Commissioner at-large Pat Cotham, President of Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP Corine Mack, State Rep. Carla Cunningham, Team TruBlue executive director Charles Robinson, and health care advocates Stacy Staggs and Rochelle Willensky for a press conference outside the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center.
Commissioner Pat Cotham: “Looking forward to press conference on expanding the #AffordableCareAct @CharlotteNAACP1@ncnaacp #RightOfHealthCare @ProtectNCCare @ProtectOurCare.” [Commissioner Cotham Twitter, 8/22/19]
State Rep. Carla Cunningham: “Protect Our Care Press Conference. The ACA is what we have. Let’s improve it and stop attempting to dismantle it. We must make healthcare coverage work for all of 🇺🇸.” [State Rep. Cunningham Twitter, 8/22/19]
Watch the event here
ASHEVILLE, NC:
Care Force One made its way to Asheville for a press conference outside City Hall with Mayor Esther Manheimer, and health care advocates Leslie Boyd and Mallorie Hatcher.
WLOS: ‘Protect Our Care’ bus tour stops in Asheville
Watch the event here
ATLANTA, GA:
At the Georgia State Capitol Building in Atlanta, Protect Our Care held a press conference with U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06), President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeast Staci Fox, and health care advocates Anne Shoup and Rebecca Galanti.
Watch the event here