***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 25, AND FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024***
HHS Regional Director Melissa Herd, State Senator Gladys Robinson (NC-28), State Representative Sarah Crawford (NC-66), Delegates Kannan Srinivasan (VA-26), Mark Sickles (VA-17), Rodney Willett (VA-73), and Health Care Advocates Headline Events Across the Nation
This week, Protect Our Care will host events in three states to celebrate Medicaid Awareness Month, recognize the crucial role Medicaid plays in Americans’ health care, and highlight how recent Republican attacks come at a time when more Americans are relying on the program than ever before.
Over 85 million Americans are enrolled in Medicaid, which provides affordable care to people from all backgrounds, especially people with disabilities, people with mental health and substance use disorders, children, pregnant women, seniors in nursing homes, rural Americans, and people of color. But Republicans haven’t stopped their attacks. The latest GOP budget proposal slashes trillions from Medicaid through block grants, calls for work reporting requirements, and other bureaucratic measures designed to throw people off their coverage. GOP leaders in 10 states have failed to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), blocking 1.6 million people from lifesaving coverage. Medicaid has strengthened local economies, provided Americans with access to quality, affordable health care, and improved health outcomes across the country.
PENNSYLVANIA
WHO:
Melissa Herd, Region 3 Director, Department of Health and Human Services
Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Devon Trolley, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority (Pennie)
Antoinette Kraus, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Health Access Network
Michael Berman, Protect Our Care Pennsylvania
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference
WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)
WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 12 PM ET
NORTH CAROLINA
WHO:
Kody Kinsley, Secretary, NC Department of Health and Human Services
State Senator Gladys Robinson (NC-28)
State Representative Sarah Crawford (NC-66)
Protect Our Care North Carolina
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference
WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 2 PM ET
WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)
VIRGINIA
WHO:
Delegate Mark Sickles (VA-17)
Delegate Rodney Willett (VA-73)
Delegate Kannan Srinivasan (VA-26)
Jill Hanken, Retired Health Policy Attorney, Virginia Poverty Law Center
Leslie Mehta, Storyteller
Katie Baker, Protect Our Care Virginia
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference
WHEN: Friday, April 26, 2024 at 9:30 AM ET
WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)