Protect Our Care marked the 10-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act with a groundswell of activity including press calls and op-eds across the country highlighting the importance of the law on this landmark anniversary. In addition to holding a national press call today with Speaker Pelosi today, Protect Our Care was joined by elected officials and health care advocates across nine states for press calls to bring attention to the overwhelming benefits of the Affordable Care Act over the past 10 years and to highlight ongoing threats to the ACA including the lawsuit from Trump and Republicans to overturn the law in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.
PRESS CALLS HAPPENING TODAY:
NATIONAL
Monday, March 23rd – ACA Anniversary Press Call With Speaker Pelosi
On the 10-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14), former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Laura Packard, a stage four cancer survivor, along with Protect Our Care held a press call to highlight the passage of the landmark law and show what’s at stake for Americans if President Trump and Republicans overturn the ACA as the nation grapples with the coronavirus. Listen to the call here.
National op-ed:
USA Today // Laura Packard // Opinion: I’d be bankrupt or dead without the Affordable Care Act. We’re both survivors — so far.
IN THE STATES
IOWA
Monday, March 23rd – Iowa ACA Anniversary Press Call
Iowans, advocates, and local elected officials from across the state will join Protect Our Care, Progress Iowa, Iowa Citizen Action Network, and Iowa Voices for a press call to mark the ten-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at a time when the threat of the coronavirus reminds us all of the importance of everyone having access to quality and affordable health coverage.
Iowa op-eds:
Des Moines Register // State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst // Affordable Care Act, now 10 years old, is more important than ever because of coronavirus
MAINE
Monday, March 23 – Press Call with Maine Leaders and Advocates
State Senate President Troy Jackson will join Protect Our Care for a press call to mark the ten-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at a time when the threat of the coronavirus reminds us all of the importance of everyone having access to quality and affordable health coverage.
NORTH CAROLINA
Monday, March 23 – ACA Anniversary Press Call with Reps. Butterfield and Price
On Monday, March 23rd at 7:00pm, Rep. David Price and Rep. G.K. Butterfield will join Protect Our Care, Action NC, Mom’s Rising, and Little Lobbyists for a call to mark the ten-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at a time when the threat of the coronavirus reminds us all of the importance of everyone having access to quality and affordable health coverage.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Monday, March 23 – ACA Anniversary Press Call
Covering New Hampshire and Protect Our Care NH will offer a press call to mark the ten-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at a time when the threat of the coronavirus reminds us all of the importance of everyone having access to quality and affordable health coverage.
Coverage:
New Hampshire Union Leader // Advocates celebrate 10 years of Obamacare, seek special enrollment to deal with COVID-19
New Hampshire op-eds:
The Conway Daily Sun // Jayme Henriques Simoes // Saving ACA more critical with new virus
Concord Monitor // Jayme Henriques Simoes // My Turn: Especially now, Granite Staters rely on the ACA
MINNESOTA
Monday, March 23 – ACA Anniversary Press Call with Attorney General Ellison
Protect Our Care Minnesota was joined by Attorney General Keith Ellison, Assistant Senate DFL Leader Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, State Rep. Kelly Morrison, M.D., DFL-Deephaven, and community advocate Jessica Intermill to mark the passage of the Affordable Care Act 10 years ago, discuss how the law improved access to health care for Minnesotans, and talk about the role the ACA plays in ongoing coronavirus response efforts despite continued efforts to eliminate the law. Listen to the call here.
NEVADA
Monday, March 23 – Nevada ACA Anniversary Press Call
Today, Protect Our Care Nevada was joined by State Sen. Yvanna Cancela, State Assemblyman Edgar Flores, insurance broker Alberto Ochoa, and cancer survivor Joe Merlino to mark the passage of the Affordable Care Act 10 years ago, discuss how the law improved access to health care for Nevadans, and talk about the role the ACA plays in ongoing coronavirus response efforts despite Republicans’ continued efforts to eliminate the law. Listen to the call here.
Nevada op-eds:
Las Vegas Sun // Rep. Dina Titus // Now is the time to strengthen and fight for the Affordable Care Act
ARIZONA
Monday, March 23 – Arizona ACA Anniversary Press Call
Today, Protect Our Care Arizona was joined by Representative Kelli Butler and State Senator Tony Navarrette to mark the passage of the Affordable Care Act 10 years ago, discuss how the law improved access to health care for Arizonans, and talk about the role the ACA plays in ongoing coronavirus response efforts despite Republicans’ continued efforts to eliminate the law. Listen to the call here.
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin op-ed:
Up North News // Leslie Dach // Opinion: Protect Our Care From Ongoing Republican Attacks
PRESS CALLS LAST WEEK:
GEORGIA
Friday, March 20 – Georgia ACA Anniversary Press Call
On Friday, March 20, Protect Our Care Georgia joined Georgians for a Healthy Future to discuss the importance of the Affordable Care Act for Georgians, especially amid the current global pandemic. Speakers included State Rep. Kim Schofield, Dr. Michelle Au, Dr. Jamie Weisman, and Cindy Pursley, a cancer survivor who relies on the ACA for care. They called on Governor Kemp to expand Medicaid and on Attorney General Chris Carr to remove Georgia from the Texas vs. United States lawsuit. Listen to the call audio here.
COLORADO
Thursday, March 19 – Colorado ACA Anniversary Press Call
Protect Our Care Colorado and Rocky Mountain Values hosted a press call joined by Rep. Dr. Yadira Caraveo, Sheena Kadi of One Colorado, Adam Fox of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI), and activist Laura Packard to mark the passage of the Affordable Care Act 10 years ago, discuss how the law improved access to health care for Coloradans, and talk about the role the ACA plays in ongoing coronavirus response efforts despite Republicans’ continued efforts to eliminate the law. Listen to the call here.
Colorado op-eds:
West Word // Gale Devore // Op-Ed: Colorado Banned High-Priced Insulin, Now Congress Needs to Act
Colorado Sun // Laura Packard and Dafna Michaelson Jenet // Opinion: The ACA changed how we treat cancer — and it is all at risk because of our current leadership