Protect Our Care Has Held Events in Colorado, Florida, South Carolina, Iowa, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania; Set to Hold More Events in Iowa and Maine
Beginning last week, Protect Our Care began holding nationwide events across the country highlighting the growing threat to Americans’ health care as Senate Republicans rush to fill the Supreme Court vacancy with anti-ACA Judge Amy Coney Barrett and as the ever-worsening COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread. California v. Texas, the Trump-Republican lawsuit to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, will be heard one week after the election. If successful, the lawsuit would take away protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions and rip coverage away from over 20 million Americans in the middle of the worst public health crisis in a century.
Events From the Week So Far:
COLORADO
Friday, October 9 — Affordable Care Act and Women’s Health Event with Sen. Michael Bennet
On Friday, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care Colorado at a virtual press conference to discuss what is at stake for Americans’ health care if the Affordable Care Act is overturned. Panelists condemned Senate Republicans’ ongoing attack on health care and their rush to confirm a new Justice comes just weeks before the Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in Republicans’ lawsuit to eliminate the Affordable Care Act on November 10. Participants focused on how Trump’s ACA-repeal lawsuit would devastate Coloradans and roll back critical protections for women, Latinxs, and LGBTQ+ individuals who have suffered disproportionate economic impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic and seen greater job loss overall – likely resulting in loss of health care coverage. You can watch the event here.
FLORIDA
Friday, October 9 — With Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings Looming, Local Leaders and Health Care Advocates to Stress What’s at Stake for Healthcare in South Florida in this Election
With only a few days before the Senate begins confirmation hearings for Donald Trump’s hand-picked ACA-opposed Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, local leaders and healthcare advocates in Miami will stress the stakes of this election for the healthcare of hundreds of thousands of South Floridians who are at risk of losing their healthcare, should the ACA be overturned in November. Florida City Mayor Otis Wallace will join former Republican legislator and legal expert Juan-Carlos Planas, along with several healthcare advocates, including Miami resident Judith Casale, and Kendall resident and recent guest of honor at last year’s State of the Union address, Michelle Garcia, who will all discuss what life could look like for hundreds of thousands of Floridians in South Florida should the Supreme Court overturn the ACA in November. Watch the event here.
- Actualidad Radio 1020 AM: Clip of Juan-Carlos Planas Discussing SCOTUS nomination
SOUTH CAROLINA
Friday, October 9 — SCOTUS Accountability Event with State Representatives and SC Storytellers
Representatives Marvin Pedarvis and JA Moore joined Mary McBride, a South Carolinian health care advocate, and Protect Our Care South Carolina on a virtual roundtable to highlight the growing threat to health care coverage as Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham and Republicans rush to fill the Supreme Court vacancy as COVID-19 continues to spread among senior GOP officials. “We can’t play politics with people’s lives. That’s what got us into this mess with COVID and that’s what Lindsey Graham is trying to do with this nomination,” said Rep. Marvin Pendarvis. You can watch a recording of the event here.
IOWA
Monday, October 12 — Iowans Launch ‘Our Lives On The Line’ Week of Action to Oppose Rush to Confirm a New Supreme Court Justice
Iowan health care advocates from Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa, Iowa Citizen Action Network, and One Iowa Action joined Protect Our Care Iowa for an event about what’s at stake for Iowa families and their health care as Senate Republicans, including Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley, rush to fill the Supreme Court vacancy before the election. The statewide press event kicks off the ‘Our Lives on the Line’ week of action sponsored by a number of grassroots and community organizations. Watch the event here.
NORTH CAROLINA
Monday, October 12 — Supreme Court Press Call with Chairman Wayne Goodwin, State Senator Terry Van Duyn, and Stacy Staggs
North Carolina Democratic party Chairman Wayne Goodwin, State Senator Terry Van Duyn, and Stacy Staggs, a health care advocate, joined Protect Our Care North Carolina on a press call to highlight the growing threat to health care coverage as Republican’s rush to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. On November 10, one week after the election, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in California v. Texas, the lawsuit led by the Trump administration and 18 Republican a state Attorneys General to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. You can listen to the call here.
WISCONSIN
Monday, October 12 — Supreme Court Press Call with Attorney General Josh Kaul and Health Care Advocates
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, cancer survivor Renee Gasch, and emergency room physician Chris Kapsner joined Protect Our Care Wisconsin to highlight the growing threat to health care coverage as Republican’s rush to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. On November 10, one week after the election, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in California v. Texas, the lawsuit led by the Trump administration and 18 Republican state Attorneys General to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. You can watch the event here.
- WKOW: Wisconsin Politicians Still Divided as Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings Begin
PENNSYLVANIA
Tuesday, October 13 — SCOTUS Accountability Event with the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and Protect Our Care Storytellers
Earlier today, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and Biden For President Pennsylvania kicked off their joint “Health Care is on the Ballot Tour” with U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Nancy Patton Mills, Johnstown native and breast cancer survivor Amy Raslevich, and Little Lobbyists National Director of Advocacy Erin Gabriel to discuss what’s at stake for the health care of Pennsylvania families in the upcoming election. A recording of the virtual press conference can be found here, and an audio clip is available here.