Representatives Ruben Gallego, Adriano Espaillat, HHS Director Melissa Herd Headline Events Across the Nation
April is the sixth annual Medicaid Awareness Month, and Protect Our Care is hosting nationwide events to 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.
Throughout the month, Protect Our Care also released a series of fact sheets on how Medicaid is a lifeline for women and children, communities of color, rural Americans, seniors, and people with disabilities, as well as a report on Republican threats to Medicaid.
Upcoming Events:
ARIZONA
WHO:
Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-03)
UnidosUS
Chicanos Por La Causa
Protect Our Care Arizona
WHAT: Roundtable Discussion
WHERE: To RSVP and receive address and meeting room information, please email [email protected] with your name, title, and media outlet.
WHEN: Monday, April 22, 2024 at 10 AM MT // 1 PM ET
PENNSYLVANIA
WHO:
Melissa Herd, Region 3 Director, Department of Health and Human Services
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
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:
Sen. Sydney Batch (NC-17)
Rep. Sarah Crawford (NC-66)
Kody Kinsley, Secretary, NC Department of Health and Human Services
Protect Our Care North Carolina
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference
WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)
WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 2 PM ET
VIRGINIA
WHO:
Delegate Kannan Srinivasan (VA-26)
Delegate Mark Sickles (VA-17)
Delegate Rodney Willett (VA-73)
Protect Our Care Virginia
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference
WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)
WHEN: Friday, April 26, 2024 at 10 AM ET
NEW YORK
WHO:
Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13)
Protect Our Care New York
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference
WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)
WHEN: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 12 PM ET
Past Events:
ARIZONA
Wednesday, April 17 – Medicaid Awareness Month Virtual Event with Leading Arizona Health Care Experts: Arizona health care advocates from Children’s Action Alliance, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, Valle del Sol Community Health Center, Chicanos Por La Causa joined Protect Our Care Arizona to discuss the importance of Medicaid and how expanding the program has benefited Arizonans of all ages. “The Affordable Care Act expansion of Medicaid to lower-income adults is preventing thousands of premature deaths for adults aged 55 to 64,” said Claudia Boyer, Director of Resource Navigation Systems for Chicanos Por La Causa. “Together AHCCCS and Kids Care are responsible for record-high rates of health insurance for kids nationally and in Arizona. They help protect families from medical debt, give them peace of mind, and allow their kids to grow up healthy and succeed in life,” said Matt Jewett, Health Policy Director for Children’s Action Alliance. You can watch the event here and view the post-event release here.
NEVADA
Thursday, April 18 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and Advocates: Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and Holly Welborn, Executive Director of Children Advocacy Alliance joined Protect Our Care Nevada to highlight the vital role the Medicaid program serves in providing affordable health care coverage and access to services for Nevadans. One in four Americans relies on Medicaid for access to health care, and the program serves people from all backgrounds, including children, mothers, people of color, people with disabilities, working families, rural Americans, and seniors. “Medicaid covers more than 40% of births in the United States. “Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, states were given the option to extend coverage to new mothers for one year postpartum, which improves maternal health outcomes,” said Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizarro. “In Nevada, I made that permanent by sponsoring and passing Senate Bill 232. New mothers in Nevada went from having 2 months of postpartum coverage to 12 months.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.
Coverage:
- KTVN (CBS): NV Dems Highlight Medicaid Impact on Statewide Healthcare Reform
- KTVN (CBS): Democratic leaders join Protect Our Care to discuss providing health coverage to low income families