Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Expand Navigators’ Resources for Outreach, Learning, and Longevity (ENROLL) Act–a bill that was passed in the House under the leadership of Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), would obligate CMS to annually fund the navigator program, and help Americans make qualified and informed decisions on finding the coverage that works for them. Protect Our Care executive director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement in response:
“Senator Baldwin and Senator Casey’s introduction of the ENROLL Act is another step forward in combating the Trump administration’s reckless health care sabotage. Navigators are crucial to providing health care outreach and information to communities across the country, yet Trump’s cuts to funding and enrollment advertising are making it harder for American families to enter the marketplace. While Trump and his GOP allies in Congress work to strangle the navigator program, Senator Badlwin, Senator Casey, and their Democratic colleagues are making sure that navigators have the resources they need to point American patients in the direction of the lower costs and better care they deserve.”
BACKGROUND
The Trump Administration Has Slashed Navigator Funding By 84 Percent Since 2016, Leaving Some Areas Without Navigators’ Enrollment Assistance. In 2016, navigators received nearly $63 million worth of federal funding. By 2018, the Trump administration had slashed their funding to $10 million, representing an 84 percent decrease. These cuts have had a serious impact: less funding for navigators means less assistance for people to sign up for health care. Due to Trump’s cuts, navigators for three states (Iowa, Montana, and New Hampshire) receive no federal funding and other states now have areas in which there are no navigators to provide service, for instance Cleveland, Akron, Toledo and Youngstown in Ohio, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin in Texas, all of Michigan outside of the Detroit metro area. [Kaiser Family Foundation, 9/24/18]
In Nearly One-Third Of 2,400 Counties Served By HealthCare.gov, There Is No Federally Funded Navigator. “But the budget for the insurance counselors known as navigators has been cut more than 80 percent, and in nearly one-third of the 2,400 counties served by HealthCare.gov, no navigators have been funded by the federal government.” [New York Times, 10/27/18]
Gallup Cited Huge Cuts To Navigator Funding As Playing A Role In The U.S. Uninsured Rate Reaching Its Four-Year High. “A number of factors have likely played a role in the steady increase in the uninsured rate over the past two years…Other factors could be a result of policy decisions. The open enrollment periods since 2018 have been characterized by a significant reduction in public marketing and shortened enrollment periods of under seven weeks, about half of previous periods. Funding for ACA “navigators” who assist consumers in ACA enrollment has also been reduced in 2018 to $10 million, compared with $63 million in 2016.” [Gallup, 1/23/19]
During The First Open Enrollment Period In 2013, 10.6 Million Americans Were Assisted By Navigators. “More than 4,400 Assister Programs, employing more than 28,000 full-time-equivalent staff and volunteers, helped an estimated 10.6 million people during the first Open Enrollment period.” [Kaiser Family Foundation, 7/15/14]
In Addition To Slashing Funding, The Trump Administration Has Tried To Remove Resources For Navigators, Such As A Training Guide For Latino Outreach, From Its ACA Website. “The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services removed a presentation called “Marketplace Outreach: Best Practices for Outreach to Latino Communities” from one of its Web pages sometime in late September, according to a report released last week from the Sunlight Foundation, a nonpartisan government watchdog group. The presentation, an 18-slide PDF file, was intended to provide training for groups like navigators — a group formed under the Obama administration to promote health-plan selection — on better engaging with Latino communities and on challenges the community faces in enrollment. Critics are pointing to this latest move as another in the list of actions the Trump administration has taken to undermine the Affordable Care Act and to weaken the Latino and immigrant communities’ access to public programs like health care.” [Washington Post, 12/10/18]
Navigators Have Been Forced To Cut Back On Services Because Of Trump’s Funding Cuts:
Jodi Ray, Director Of Florida Covering Kids & Families Navigator Program: “We Are Only In Half The Counties We Were In Last Year.” “Florida Covering Kids & Families, a navigator program based at the University of South Florida, received $4.9 million in federal funds last year for open enrollment marketing and consumer assistance. It was one of several in the state to receive funding. This year, it was the only group in Florida to get any funding, and received just $1.2 million, said Jodi Ray, the group’s director. She said the number of calls for help is more than last year, when the group was receiving a thousand calls a day during peak times. ‘But we are certainly reaching less people,’ Ray said. ‘We are only in half the counties we were in last year, and we have few assisters.’” [Tampa Bay Times, 12/13/18]
Allen Gjersvig, Director Of Navigator And Enrollment Services At Arizona Alliance For Community Health Centers: “We can only surmise that with the big decrease in marketing over the past two years, a significant portion of people don’t know about open enrollment.”[Arizona Republic, 12/11/18]
Dan Derksen, Doctor Who Oversees Navigator Program At University Of Arizona: “At a time when people have more questions, it’s very likely there will be fewer people to help them in person.” [USA Today, 6/21/18]
Shelli Quenga, Director Of Programs For South Carolina-Based Palmetto Project: Restricting Support Is Bad For Consumers. “It’s very unfortunate for the consumer…We know that consumers still need in-person assistance — and especially consumers who are not native English speakers, consumers who are living just above the poverty line who don’t have a lot of experience with making big financial decisions like this that also have long-term implications to their financial future for themselves and their family members.” [The Hill, 6/20/18]
Cutting Funds To Navigator Groups Means They Must Significantly Cut Back On Outreach. “‘We have no expectation of any federal money being available to us,’ said Donna Friedsam, the director of Covering Wisconsin, a navigator program. Her organization received a 42 percent reduction last year because of the funding changes. It previously offered enrollment services in 23 counties, but had to scale down to 12.” [The Hill, 6/20/18]
Trump’s Reelection Announcement Today Overshadowed By His Years-Long Effort to Destroy America’s Health Care
As Trump makes his reelection campaign official today, Protect Our Care’s month-to-month sabotage tracker makes clear that his war on health care is exhaustive, ongoing and here to stay. From the day Trump was sworn into office to the day of his reelection announcement, the Trump administration and its Republican allies have tried time and again to rip apart our health care laws, stripping coverage from millions, dismantling protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions, gutting Medicare and Medicaid and lining the pockets of drug and insurance companies while they raise costs.
Trump administration announces HRA rule to let employers encourage their employees to buy junk plans that do not cover people with pre-existing conditions. The Brookings Institutionwarns that this move means older, sicker workers could end up paying higher premiums.
After failing to block grant Medicaid legislatively, the White House dodges Congress in order to review plan to overhaul state Medicaid programs through block grants.
May 2019
Sunlight Foundation reportreveals that “various HHS offices have seemingly gone out of their way to systematically remove references to the ACA,” removing an 85-page website containing information about the potential benefits of the Affordable Care Act.
CDC survey finds 1.1 million more Americans lost health insurance coverage in 2018.
Trump administration proposes rule change that allows doctors, hospitals, and health care companies to refuse to provide services to LGBTQ people and patients who have had abortions.
April 2019
Trump administration keeps fighting to impose work requirements on Medicaid, appealing federal court rulings that blocked such requirements because they are illegal.
Change in Administration’s final rule setting for ACA will raise premiums on 7.3 million by cutting tax credits and raise limit on out-of-pocket maximums.
Trump: “We got the individual mandate, the absolute worst part of Obamacare eliminated, now we’re going for the rest.”
March 2019
Trump administration fully backs lawsuit that would overturn the entire Affordable Care Act, stripping coverage from millions.
CMS issues a request for information to gather recommendations on how to sell health insurance across state lines, a move that experts predict would create a “race to the bottom.”
Senate Republicans confirm Chad Readler to a lifetime appointment as a federal judge, despite Readler’s well-known history of fighting to strip protections from Americans with pre-existing conditions.
February 2019
Trump predicts the Affordable Care Act will be “terminated” through the Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn the law.
In an effort to restrict access to information about women’s reproductive health, the Trump administration removes web pages associated with the ACA and its contraceptive coverage from HHS’s Office of Population Affairs website.
January 2019
Thanks to GOP sabotage, the uninsured rate surges to its highest level since 2014. Roughly seven million fewer people are estimated to have health care now than did two years ago.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposes changes to the ACA’s benefit and payment parameters, reducing subsidies available to those who purchase health care through the exchange, increasing premiums, and raising the out-of-pocket maximum for people with employer-sponsored health care.
In a win for big Pharma, the Trump administration proposes changes to the rebate system that would raise premiums, benefit pharmaceutical companies, and contain no mandate to lower list prices of drugs.
The Trump administration announces it will consider allowing states to convert Medicaid to block grant programs, allowing the federal government to cap the amount a state’s Medicaid program can receive.
December 2018
Cherry-picked Federal Judge Reed O’Connor rules in favor of twenty conservative states to overturn the Affordable Care Act, jeopardizing coverage for 17 million people and ripping away the ACA’s vital consumer protections such as protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
Under the Trump administration’s relentless sabotage, the uninsured rate increases for the first time since 2010. As the Kaiser Family Foundation finds, “In 2017, the uninsured rate reversed course and, for the first time since the passage of the ACA, rose significantly to 10.2% [from 10%].”
November 2018
Trump administration issues new guidance urging states to “tear down basic pillars of the Affordable Care Act, demolishing a basic rule” that federal subsidies can only be used to purchase ACA-compliant plans. Expertswarn against this move, saying it will push affordable, comprehensive care further out of reach for individuals with pre-existing conditions.
Under the Trump administration, the number of uninsured children grows for the first time in nearly a decade. After a decade of steady decreases in the number of uninsured children, in 2017 the number of uninsured children increased from 3.6 million to 3.9 million.
October 2018
Republicans appoint Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Kavanaugh is known to be hostile to the Affordable Care Act.
The Trump administration issues guidance that allows federal subsidies to be used to purchase junk plans that can deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.
September 2018
The Trump administration’s Department of Justice joins twenty conservative states in court in opening arguments to argue that the Affordable Care Act’s protections for people with pre-existing conditions should be overturned.
Nearly 4,600 Arkansans are unable to meet Arkansas’ reporting requirements for the state’s Medicaid work requirements and lose Medicaid coverage.
August 2018
Trump administration finalizes rule for bare-bones short-term plans that are exempt from key consumer protections, such as the requirement that insurance covers prescription drugs, maternity care, and hospitalization.
July 2018
CMS halts risk adjustment payments, that enable insurance companies to cover everyone, regardless of whether they are healthy or sick.
Trump Administration slashes funding for non-profit health navigator groups, that help people shop for coverage, from $36 million to $10 million. CMS encourages groups to use the remaining funds to push people to sign up for junk plans that skirt important consumer protections.
President Trump nominates Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Kavanaugh has previously forced a young woman to continue a pregnancy against her will and has criticized Justice Roberts for upholding the Affordable Care Act’s constitutionality.
June 2018
Department of Justice takes to the courts to argue that insurance companies should be able to discriminate against as many as 130 million Americans with a pre-existing condition.
Republican coalition, the Health Policy Consensus Group, released their latest proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions, let insurance companies charge older people an age tax, and deny coverage for basic services like maternity care.
Trump Administration finalizes proposal to expand access to association health plans that skirt key consumer protections.
May 2018
President Trump boasts about health care sabotage: “We will have gotten rid of a majority of Obamacare.”
Trump Administration enlists the help of former drug lobbyist in writing its drug plan.
Congressional Republicans attempt to use annual farm bill to authorize $65 million in taxpayer funding to set up association health plans, which can exclude prescription drug coverage, mental health care, and maternity care.
April 2018
House Republicans vote on a balanced budget amendment that would cut Medicaid by $700 billion over ten years, $114 billion in a single year alone.
Trump Administration limits access to assistance for consumers who want to enroll in marketplace coverage. This change removes the requirements that every area has at least two “navigator” groups to provide consumer assistance and that one be local. Now, just one group could cover entire states or groups of states.
March 2018
Republicans sabotage efforts to pass a bipartisan bill that would have stabilized Affordable Care Act marketplaces by insisting the bill restrict access to abortion.
February 2018
The Trump Administration announces that it will expand access to short-term health plans that do not have to comply with key consumer protection provisions required by the Affordable Care Act.
Urban Institute calculates that repeal of the individual mandate and expansion of short term plans will increase individual market premiums by an average 18.2 percent in 2019.
Trump Administration releases budget that calls for the Affordable Care Act to be replaced by Graham-Cassidy, in a move that experts predict would reduce health coverage for 32 million Americans.
January 2018
The Trump Administration announces that it will support states that impose onerous work requirements on Americans covered by Medicaid, and approves Kentucky’s worst-in-the-nation waiver the next day.
The Trump Administration announces a move to allow providers to discriminate by allowing them to deny patient care for almost any reason.
The Trump Administration makes plans to announce even more exemptions from the requirement people have health coverage before this provision is repealed altogether.
December 2017
The Trump Administration proposes a rule to expand association health plans, which would gut consumer protections, raise costs for people with pre-existing conditions and further destabilize the insurance markets.
Congressional Republicans pass their tax scam, which doubles as a sneaky repeal of the Affordable Care Act by kicking 13 million people off of their insurance and raising premiums by double digits for millions more.
November 2017
Republicans refuse to move forward on the bipartisan Alexander-Murray bill to address the CSR crisis even though it had a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.
October 2017
The Trump Administration takes direct aim at birth control by rolling back a rule that guaranteed women access to contraception. (A court has since questioned the legality of the action.)
President Trump signs an Executive Order to roll back key consumer protections that will result in garbage insurance, raise premiums, reduce coverage and again expose millions of Americans to discrimination based on pre-existing conditions.
The Trump Administration dramatically cuts in-person assistance to help people sign up for 2018 health coverage.
After threatening for months to stop funding cost-sharing reduction payments (CSRs) that help lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, the Trump Administration stops the payments altogether. The CBO finds that failing to make these payments will increase premiums by 20% and add nearly $200 billion to the debt.
September 2017
The Administration orders the Department of Health and Human Services’ regional directors to stop participating in Open Enrollment events. Mississippi Health Advocacy Program Executive Director Roy Mitchell says, “I didn’t call it sabotage…But that’s what it is.”
August 2017
The Administration cuts the outreach advertising budget for Open Enrollment by 90 percent, from $100 million to just $10 million – which resulted in as many as 1.1 million fewer people getting covered.
July 2017
The Trump Administration uses funding intended to support health insurance enrollment to launch a multimedia propaganda campaign against the Affordable Care Act.
President Trump, again, threatens to end cost-sharing reduction payments.
June 2017
Senate Republicans embark on a monthslong failed attempt to pass BCRA, Skinny Repeal and Graham-Cassidy, all repeal bills that would have caused millions of Americans to lose their health coverage and raised premiums by double digits for millions more. They would have ended Medicaid as we know it, putting the care of children, seniors and people with disabilities at risk.
May 2017
House Republicans vote for and pass a health care repeal bill that would cause 23 million people to lose coverage and gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions. It would have imposed an age tax and allowed insurers to charge people over 50 five times more for coverage and ended Medicaid as we know it, putting the care of seniors, children and people with disabilities in jeopardy.
April 2017
The Trump Administration cuts the number of days people could sign up for coverage during open enrollment by half, from 90 days to 45 days.
In an effort to convince Democrats to negotiate a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, President Trump threatens to cut off cost-sharing reduction payments (CSRs) that help low-income marketplace customers pay for out-of-pocket costs.
March 2017
The Trump Administration sends a letter to governors encouraging them to submit proposals which include provisions such as work requirements that make it harder for Medicaid beneficiaries to get affordable care and increase the number of people who are uninsured.
February 2017
The Trump Administration proposes a rule to weaken Marketplace coverage and raise premiums for millions of middle-class families.
January 2017
On his first day in office, President Trump signs an Executive Order directing the administration to identify every way it can unravel the Affordable Care Act.
Also on January 20th, the Department of Health and Human Services begins to remove information on how to sign up for the Affordable Care Act.
The Trump Administration pulls funding for outreach and advertising for the final days of 2017 enrollment. This move is estimated to have reduced enrollment by nearly 500,000.
Washington, DC — As President Trump heads to Orlando for his reelection announcement today, his ongoing war on Americans’ health care jeopardizes the financial security and well-being of millions of Floridians. Trump’s Texas lawsuit puts 1.6 million Floridians at risk of losing their health insurance, and would strip protections for more than 7.8 million Floridians with a pre-existing condition. Poll after poll shows that health care is the top issue on voters’ minds heading into 2020 and Trump’s reckless ongoing attacks on Americans health care will not be forgotten. Ahead of the president’s rally today, Protect Our Care chair Leslie Dach released the following statement:
“Trump’s rally tonight is an insult to the millions of Floridians who are fed up with his relentless attacks on their health care. President Trump’s sabotage agenda puts millions of Floridians at risk of losing coverage, and if his lawsuit to eliminate our health care system is successful, it will strip coverage from over one million Floridians, raise premiums and end protections for millions more with pre-existing conditions like cancer, diabetes or asthma. Few states stand to lose more at the hands of Trump’s war on America’s health care than Florida, and instead of coming to Orlando to play politics and vent his frustrations at a political rally, the president should explain to Florida voters why he’s so hellbent on taking away their health care.”
1.6 Million Floridians Could Lose Coverage. According to the Urban Institute, 1.6 million Floridians would lose coverage by repealing the Affordable Care Act, leading to a 67 percent increase in the uninsured rate.
132,000 Florida Young Adults With Their Parents’ Coverage Could Lose Care. Because of the Affordable Care Act, millions of young adults are able to stay on their parents’ care until age 26.
Protections For The 130 Million People Nationwide With A Pre-Existing Condition Will End. 7,810,300 Floridians have a pre-existing condition, including 973,800 Florida children, 4,086,000 Florida women, and 1,760,800 Floridians between ages 55 and 64.
Insurance Companies Could Charge Premium Surcharges In the Six Figures. If the Trump-GOP lawsuit is successful, insurance companies would be able to charge people more because of a pre-existing condition. The health repeal bill the House passed in 2017 had a similar provision, and an analysis by the Center for American Progress found that insurers could charge up to $4,270 more for asthma, $17,060 more for pregnancy, $26,180 more for rheumatoid arthritis and $140,510 more for metastatic cancer.
Women Could Be Charged More Than Men For The Same Coverage. Prior to the ACA, women were often charged premiums on the nongroup market of up to 50 percent higher than they charged men for the same coverage.
344,343 Florida Seniors Could Have to Pay More for Prescription Drugs. If the Trump-GOP lawsuit is successful, seniors could have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare “donut” hole would be reopened. From 2010 to 2016, “More than 11.8 million Medicare beneficiaries have received discounts over $26.8 billion on prescription drugs – an average of $2,272 per beneficiary,” according to a January 2017 CMS report. In Florida, 344,343 seniors each saved an average of $1,068.
Washington, DC — Donald Trump is officially launching his reelection campaign today, but his relentless years-long campaign to sabotage America’s health care and ongoing lawsuit to strip health care away from millions of Americans looms large over his announcement. Poll after poll shows that health care is the top issue on voters’ minds headed into 2020 and Trump’s reckless and ongoing attacks on Americans health care have not been forgotten as millions face higher costs and are at greater risk of losing their coverage as a result. In response to Trump’s announcement today, Protect Our Care executive director Brad Woodhouse released the following statement:
“Trump’s reelection bid is already marred by his relentless war on America’s health care, including his ongoing lawsuit to strip protections from Americans with pre-existing conditions, rip coverage from millions more and throw our whole health care system into chaos. Under Trump’s watch, prescription drug prices have skyrocketed while insurance and drug companies rake in record profits, and his repeated and ongoing attacks on our health care have put 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions like asthma, cancer or diabetes at risk of losing their protections. Trump’s destructive health care agenda will dominate this campaign and voters who are sick and tired of these relentless attacks on their health care will make clear that his harmful sabotage agenda won’t last another four years.”
BACKGROUND:
Millions of Americans Have Lost Their Health Care Under Trump’s Tenure
A CDC survey found that 1.1 million more Americans lost health insurance coverage in 2018.
Under the Trump administration, the number of uninsured children grew for the first time in nearly a decade. After a decade of steady decreases in the number of uninsured children, in 2017 the number of uninsured children increased from 3.6 million to 3.9 million.
Trump’s Lawsuit To Destroy The ACA Would Strip Coverage From Millions More Americans
Donald Trump’s Department of Justice overrode the advice of legal experts and signed on to a lawsuit brought by Republican attorneys general that would overturn the entire Affordable Care Act, stripping coverage from millions. Trump himself has stated that he believes the ACA will be “terminated” through the Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn the law.
If the Affordable Care Act is struck down:
GONE: Protections for 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. The uninsured rate will increase by 65 percent.
GONE:Medicaid expansion, which covers 17 million people.
GONE:Nearly 12 million seniors will have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare ‘donut hole’ will be reopened.
GONE:2.3 million adult children will no longer be able to stay on their parents’ insurance.
GONE: Insurance companies will be able to charge women 50 percent more than men.
GONE:Financial assistance that helps 9 million people purchase health care in the marketplace.
GONE:Key support for rural hospitals.As Americans lose coverage, already struggling hospitals will be hit even harder as their costs increase.
GONE: Ban on insurance companies having lifetime caps on coverage.
GONE: Requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care
Trump Enthusiastically Supports Every Attempt To Repeal The ACA
In May 2017, House Republicans passed a health care repeal bill that would cause 23 million people to lose coverage and gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions. It would have imposed an age tax and allowed insurers to charge people over 50 five times more for coverage and ended Medicaid as we know it, putting the care of seniors, children and people with disabilities in jeopardy. Donald Trump loved this bill so much that he threw a party on the White House lawn to celebrate its passage.
Throughout the summer of 2017, Trump cheered Senate Republicans monthslong failed attempt to pass BCRA, Skinny Repeal and Graham-Cassidy, all repeal bills that would have caused millions of Americans to lose their health coverage and raised premiums by double digits for millions more. Two years later, Trump is still complaining that John McCain thwarted his attempt to repeal the ACA and promising to keep trying again to repeal the ACA and strip coverage from millions of Americans.
Over the weekend, House Democrats, Protect Our Care, and health care advocates across the country held roundtable discussions, town hall meetings, and press events to highlight the work Democrats are doing to roll back President Trump and the GOP’s sabotage of American health care and the Democratic agenda to lower costs and improve care for millions of Americans. While Republicans and President Trump are vowing to revive their efforts in Congress to repeal the health care law and are currently in court in an attempt to “terminate” the law there, Democrats are pursuing an agenda to block or roll back GOP sabotage of American health care, protect patients with pre-existing conditions from being exploited by junk insurance and to lower health care and prescription drug costs.
Here is just some of the news coverage and social media buzz for the events that took place over the weekend:
NATIONWIDE
New York Times: “Over The Weekend, 140 House Democrats, More Than Half Of The Party’s Caucus, Held Events Or Online Town Halls To Talk About Health Care.” “Over the weekend, 140 House Democrats, more than half of the party’s caucus, held events or online town halls to talk about health care, their largest coordinated action in districts since winning the majority. In particular, Democrats hammered the Trump administration for asking a court in March to overturn the entire Affordable Care Act, which among other things would eliminate protections for patients with pre-existing conditions. Mr. Trump has repeatedly said he favors such protections but has not explained how he would achieve them if the Obama-era law were invalidated.” [New York Times, 6/6/19]
Politico: “Dems Back To Familiar Rallying Cry — Health Care.” “Dems back to familiar rallying cry — health care … Speaker Nancy Pelosi led House Democrats in a ‘Health Care for All Americans’ weekend of action with more than 140 lawmakers participating in district events and online town halls on the issue, according to sources familiar with the effort. The move is part of Democrats’ strategy to press their message on pre-existing conditions, House-passed bills to lower health care costs and prescription drugs going into the 2020 election.” [Politico, 6/16/19]
ALABAMA
Saturday, June 15th
Rep. Sewell Town Hall
A huge thank you to the Pickens County Medical Center, Whatley Health Services, Medical Outreach & Advocacy and SMART School Clinics for coming to our #HealthCareWeekend town hall in Pickens County and providing free health care screenings. Y’all are truly working #forthepeople.” [Rep. Sewell Twitter, 6/15/19]
ALASKA
Wednesday, June 12th
Save Our State Rally
Alaskans gathered at rallies across the state to speak out against the on-going threats from Governor Dunleavy to shut down the government unless he accepts the budget proposed by the state legislature. Protect Our Care Alaska co-hosted the event, and organizers focused on threats to the state’s Medicaid program if the governor does not sign the budget.
KTVA: Local groups rally, urge Gov. Dunleavy to pass operating budget
Alaska Public Media: State employees anxious as government shutdown threat looms
ARIZONA
Friday, June 14th
Rep. O’Halleran Health Care Roundtable
Congressman O’Halleran met with several constituents on Friday to talk about rural health care, community health centers, and what Democrats are doing in the House to defend Arizonans’ health care. Participants in the roundtable included:
Alicia Held, Patient
Travis Robinette, Sun Life Family Health Center CEO
Kim Collins, Sun Life Family Health Center COO
Laura Larson-Huffaker, Horizon Health and Wellness CEO
Rose Lopez, Intermountain Centers for Human Development CEO
Ralph Varela, Pinal Hispanic Council CEO
CALIFORNIA
Friday, June 14th
Rep. Lieu Health Care Facebook Live
“How are @HouseDemocrats addressing the rise of Rx drug costs & protecting people w/ pre-existing conditions? Join us TODAY at 3PM PT for our Facebook LIVE #HealthCareWeekend of Action #ForThePeople.” [Rep. Lieu Twitter, 6/14/19]
“Had a great conversation with folks at the Willowbrook Senior Center about how Dems are working #ForThePeople & fighting for affordable health care & lower Rx drug costs for older Americans. Proud to join @HouseDemocrats across the country for our #HealthCareWeekend of Action.” [Rep. Barragan Twitter, 6/14/19]
CBS San Francisco: Democratic Leaders Shine Spotlight On Health Care. “On Saturday, House Democrats held about 140 events around the nation to highlight their health care progress and plans for the future. In San Francisco, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared with fellow California Democrats Rep. Jackie Speier and Rep. Mike Thompson at the offices of Health Right 360.” [CBS San Francisco, 6/15/19]
San Francisco Chronicle: Pelosi Highlights Democratic Efforts To Preserve Health Care in SF Visit. “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, joined by Rep. Jackie Speier of San Mateo, and Rep. Mike Thompson of St. Helena, and health care advocates, visited San Francisco Saturday to highlight efforts Democrats are making to preserve coverage of pre-existing conditions and lower medical and drug costs.” [San Francisco Chronicle, 6/15/19]
Rep. Aguilar Health Care Talk
“I was proud to join the California Alliance for Retired Americans this week to talk about how @HouseDemocrats are working to expand and protect Medicare and lower health care costs #ForThePeople. Thanks to all those who came out during #HealthCareWeekend of action.” [Rep. Aguilar Twitter, 6/15/19]
Rep. Matsui Roundtable
“It was great to meet with health professionals from across the region at my provider roundtable. We discussed potential reforms within the #ACA to bring down costs across the board and how to increase access to care for all. #HealthCareWeekend.” [Rep. Matsui Twitter, 6/16/19]
COLORADO
Friday, June 14th
Rep. Neguse Health Care Roundtable
Congressman Joe Neguse met with patients, advocates, and health care providers to discuss the rising costs of prescription drugs and the fight to protect healthcare from Republican roll backs. The Congressman vowed to protect the ACA and stop health care sabotage efforts.
Participants included:
Healthier Colorado
The American Association of People with Disabilities
Boulder County Health
Laura Packard, Health Care Advocate
Rep. Crow Health Care Roundtable
Six health care advocates and two health care providers shared their experiences with Congressman Jason Crow at this healthcare round table event. The Congressman and participants discussed junk plans, pre-existing conditions, protecting provisions in the ACA, health care and prescription drug costs, Medicaid and lifetime caps.
Participants included:
Maytham Alshadood, Rep. Crow’s District Director
John Santistevan, CEO—Salud
Salud Providers
Rachel Wall, Patient
Laura Packard, Patient
Nic Wisman, Patient
Rebecca Gillett, Patient
Liz Reilly, Patient
Nicole Cimbura, Patient
FLORIDA
Friday, June 14th
Rep. Castor Heath Care Roundtable
“@HouseDemocrats have passed meaningful legislation to lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs! #Tampa area neighbors and advocates told me how important affordable health care is to them on #HealthCareWeekend #ForthePeople.” [Rep. Castor Twitter, 6/14/19]
Rep. Deutch and Rep. Demings Health Care Roundtables
Sun Sentinel: Health Groups Make Pitch For More Affordable Drugs And Insurance. “As the national battle rages on over drug prices and health insurance, Broward County residents and health advocates met today to praise the safety net of the Affordable Care Act and show their concern about any possibility of their medical coverage going away…the Broward round table led by U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch focused on issues around access to treatments, cost of medications and trust in the health care system; the event was part of a national effort to call attention to what Democrats are doing to protect health care and the challenges ahead…in Orlando, Rep. Val Demings used Health Care for All Americans Day of Action to hold a round table discussion to address the soaring costs of prescription drugs and release a new report on diabetes medication prices in her district. The report shows that because Medicare is not allowed to negotiate drug prices, the costs for diabetes medications to Medicare are nearly four times higher than in the United Kingdom, five times higher than in Australia, and three times higher than in Canada. For uninsured patients, the costs can be as much as 21 times higher.” [Sun Sentinel, 6/14/19]
Saturday, June 15th
Rep. Shalala Health Care Roundtable
“Since the start of our Congress #ForThePeople, @HouseDemocrats have been working hard to improve health care for all. This morning I met with local health care professionals and advocates to discuss the most pressing health issues in South Florida. #HealthCareWeekend.” [Rep. Shalala Twitter, 6/15/19]
Congresswoman Lucy McBath meet with several constituents with pre-existing conditions to talk about the ACA, expanding medicaid, increase access to health care services, and lowering costs. McBath pledged to keep fighting for Georgians that rely on the ACA for their care and to find w ays to lower costs.
Cindy Vo: Vietnamese American, KSU student, relied on Medicaid to beat juvenile cancer, now on ACA exchange plan
Kim Schneller, 5 year old son has type 1 diabetes and husband is in cancer remission
Emily Fain, veteran, cancer survivor, hospice worker
Marcia West, semi-retired, insurance agent in Marietta with pre-existing conditions
ILLINOIS
Friday, June 14th
Rep. Casten Health Care Panel Discussion
“In the 6th District alone, there are approximately 15,000 Medicare beneficiaries who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Yesterday I held a panel discussion in Wheaton on the rising costs. #HealthCareWeekend.” [Rep. Casten Twitter, 6/15/19]
Rep. Schneider Health Care Town Hall
“Just wrapped a great town hall at Lake Forest Place w/ focus on health care. The rising cost of prescription drugs is hitting seniors hard. In the House, we’ve voted to speed-up access to generic drugs to help make Rx medication more affordable. #ProtectOurCare #HealthCareWeekend.” [Rep. Schneider Twitter, 6/14/19]
Saturday, June 15th
Rep. Underwood Health Care Press Conference
Rep. Underwood held a press conference in Minooka with farmer Kaylee Heap at Heap Giant Pumpkin Farm, and spoke about how local families have been affected by the high cost of health care:
“From day one, I have heard from members of our community who struggle to afford their premiums. The people who are hit hardest are self-employed farmers, realtors, entrepreneurs; or they work for employers who don’t provide health insurance. That is unacceptable. And it’s why I have introduced the Health Care Affordability Act to reduce premiums for middle-income and low-income consumers. This would make premiums for people who buy their own insurance more similar to insurance costs for people with employer coverage. Thanks to Mrs. Kaylee Heap, who graciously invited us to her family’s pumpkin farm to share her story about the challenges she and her husband Kevin face to afford health insurance for themselves and their baby son, Milo.” [Rep. Underwood Press Release, 6/15/19]
MARYLAND
Friday, June 14th
Leader Hoyer and Rep. Brown Health Care Roundtables
“As House Dems kick off our #HealthCareWeekend of action, I joined @RepAnthonyBrown & community stakeholders in Largo to discuss health disparities among minority groups in #MD. While the #ACA took great strides to expand affordable health coverage, there is still much to do…we discussed 10 bills that I’ve brought to the Floor to improve access & lower the price of health care & prescription drugs. We’ll continue to work to end disparities, expand access to affordable coverage, & address the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs.” [Leader Hoyer Twitter, 6/14/19]
Rep. Raskin Health Care Roundtable
“If my voice isn’t heard, my child’s voice isn’t heard.” Thx to all our #healthcareweekend roundtable participants who spoke their truth about being parents of children w/ developmental disabilities. I’ll continue to use my voice in Congress to amplify yours & to #ProtectOurCare.” [Rep. Raskin Twitter, 6/17/19]
“Today I held town halls in #Orange & #Northfield, where we talked about (among other issues) the rising cost of healthcare & prescription drugs.I will bring these stories with me as we continue to work to #ProtectOurCare.” [Rep. McGovern Twitter, 6/15/19]
MICHIGAN
Friday, June 14th
MI Congressional Health Care Roundtable
Rep. Dingell, Rep. Lawrence, Rep. Slotkin, and Rep. Levin hosted a roundtable with Beaumont Health, HUDA Clinic, Covenant Community Care, and Western Wayne FHC in Dearborn.
Last Saturday, Rep. Susie Lee held a town hall with constituents while she was home for Congressional recess. The congresswoman discussed health care, what Congress was doing to protect the ACA, and what the Texas v. HHS lawsuit could mean for Nevadans’ care.
“Health care is a human right and that includes access to affordable prescription drugs. Glad to have a meaningful conversation about the effects of skyrocketing drug prices with Nevada’s healthcare stakeholders.” [Rep. Horsford Twitter, 6/15/19]
NEW JERSEY
Friday, June 14th
Chairman Pallone Health Care Facebook Live
“As part of my dedication to improve health care #ForThePeople, I’m hosting Ray Castro from @NJPolicy for my weekly update on Facebook Live. Join us NOW. #HealthCareWeekend.” [Rep. Pallone Twitter, 6/14/19]
“This weekend I visited Socorro General Hospital for a roundtable discussion on legislation I’ve introduced to expand rural health care access & help New Mexicans get the care they need, right in their own communities. #HealthCareWeekend.” [Rep. Torres Small Twitter, 6/17/19]
Rep. Haaland Health Care Roundtable
“Join me today at @unm Domenici Center for a Tackling New Mexico’s Heatlthcare Challenges roundtable. It starts at 3:30pm with parking in lots L&M! #healthcareweekend #ProtectOurCare.” [Rep. Haaland Twitter, 6/15/19]
Watch the roundtable discussion on Facebook Live here.
NEW YORK
Saturday, June 15th
Rep. Jeffries, Rep. Clarke & Rep. Velazquez Health Care Community Speak Out
“Joined @NydiaVelazquez @RepYvetteClarke at Community Speak Out on Healthcare in Brooklyn. Americans pay more for life-saving medicine than any other country in the world. We must stop Big Pharma. And put the public’s interest over the special interests! #ForThePeople.” [Rep. Jeffries Twitter, 6/15/19]
PENNSYLVANIA
Friday, June 14th
Rep. Dean Health Care Roundtable
“Kicking off #HealthCareWeekend of Action, today we held a roundtable with medical professionals in Abington, @MontcoPA to discuss the ACA and its impact. @HouseDemocrats have passed legislation to improve health care for everyone — it is vital to our #ForThePeople agenda.” [Rep. Dean Twitter, 6/14/19]
Saturday, June 15th
Rep. Cartwright Health Care Roundtable
Pennsylvanians with pre-existing conditions met with Congressman Matt Cartwright to discuss ongoing threats to health care and his work in the House to defend protections for pre-existing conditions. Cartwright pledged to make prescription drugs cheaper and bring down premiums, co-pays, and deductibles for Pennyslvanians.
Press Coverage:
Times Leader: Cartwright rally in WB seeks support for health care bill
Senator Tammy Baldwin sat down with constituents for a roundtable discussion about health care issues in Wisconsin. They covered topics ranging from the Texas v. HHS lawsuit to ongoing GOP sabotage of the ACA—and the Senator pledged to “.continue to go to the Senate floor to stop the expansion of these junk plans.”
You can see pictures from the Senator’s roundtable here.
Trump is Currently Waging a Lawsuit to Dismantle the Entire Affordable Care Act, Strip Coverage from Millions of Americans
Washington, DC — Today, Trump is set to deliver a speech on his administration’s new HRA rule, which encourages more people to buy junk insurance plans that do not cover protections for many pre-existing conditions. On top of that, his Rose Garden speech this afternoon will likely fail to address the rule’s underlying hypocrisy: that his Texas lawsuit would dismantle the entire Affordable Care Act, completely nullifying this rule if successful. In response to this announcement, Protect Our Care executive director Brad Woodhouse released the following statement:
“It’s the height of hypocrisy that Trump is in court to rip health care away from millions of Americans while also proposing a rule that in the most charitable sense would be using cups of water to douse the five alarm fire that he created. Not only does this new HRA rule encourage more people to enroll in junk insurance plans that don’t offer protections for pre-existing conditions, but it would be completely nullified by Trump’s Texas lawsuit to destroy our health care system. Time and again, Trump has made clear he’s dead-set on destroying America’s health care – letting drug companies run wild and ripping millions off their insurance. Today’s announcement is just another empty display of hypocrisy as he marches onward in his war on America’s health care.
“For patients with pre-existing conditions, Trump’s health care plans put them at risk either way. Today, he’s pushing policies which let insurance companies dupe patients into buying junk plans that won’t cover care for pre-existing conditions for people with asthma, diabetes and cancer. Next month, he’s going to court to try to overturn health care and strike down the protections for pre-existing conditions in all the remaining plans. Donald Trump has engaged a relentless war on American health care which has no end in sight.”
Donald Trump is helping health insurance companies sell junk plans that scam Americans into higher costs, unpaid bills and plans that don’t cover prescription drug costs or people with pre-existing conditions.
Democrats are trying to stop him. Republicans in Congress are helping him do it.
LAST NIGHT
The House adopted a ban on funding Trump’s expanded junk health insurance plans by 236-188 votes including unanimous support of House Democrats. [Roll Call]
THIS MORNING
Florida Company Sued Over Sales of Skimpy Health Plans [New York Times, 6/13/19]
“They say they believed they were purchasing Affordable Care Act plans that include coverage guarantees. But they were sold much less comprehensive coverage that left them vulnerable to tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills, according to the lawsuit.”
“Their complaints underscore problems with some types of cheaper health insurance alternatives that the Trump administration has expanded.”
They are seeking class-action status, estimating that as many as 500,000 people may have bought these policies.
WHO COULD HAVE SEEN IT COMING?
Trump’s New Obamacare Sabotage Could Really Stick It To Consumers [HuffPost, 8/7/18]
Washington, DC — Today, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) along with Senate Democrats introduced the Affordable Medications Act, which would hold the drug companies accountable and work to lower the price of prescription drugs for both patients and taxpayers. Leslie Dach, chair of Protect Our Care, issued the following statement in response:
“Senator Smith and her Democratic colleagues are leading the fight to lower drug prices and hold drug companies accountable with the introduction of the Affordable Medications Act. As drug prices continue to skyrocket and families cut their pills or go without their medications, Republicans gave big drug companies even more tax breaks. Meanwhile, Democrats are championing a plan that holds drug companies accountable and uses Medicare’s buying power to negotiate lower prices. Republican’s refuse to support the most powerful tool the government has to help people because they care more about the drug companies than everyday Americans. In a time when patients across the country are feeling the pain of high prescription drug costs and constant GOP sabotage, Senate Democrats are taking a meaningful step to lower prices for millions of Americans.”
Washington, DC — President Trump is traveling to West Des Moines, Iowa this evening for a Republican Party fundraiser, all while his administration and GOP allies in Congress, like Senator Joni Ernst, work to strip away health care from millions of Americans through the Texas lawsuit and repeated acts of health care sabotage. If the Trump-Texas lawsuit is successful, it will raise premiums, end protections for people with pre-existing conditions, put insurance companies back in charge, and force Iowa seniors to pay more for prescription drugs. Brad Woodhouse, executive director of Protect Our Care, issued the following statement in response:
“President Trump’s Texas lawsuit would decimate the health care of tens of thousands of Iowans who have gained coverage through Medicaid expansion, and once again put people with pre-existing conditions at risk. The president and his Republican allies like Joni Ernst have worked non-stop to undermine and sabotage health care, and instead of hobnobbing at fundraisers, President Trump and Senator Ernst should explain why they want to take away health care from hardworking Iowa families. Access to quality, affordable health care is a top priority for Iowans and they won’t be fooled by President Trump, Senator Ernst, and the GOP’s ongoing repeal and sabotage agenda.”
187,000 Iowans could lose coverage. According to the Urban Institute, 187,000 Iowans would lose coverage by repealing the Affordable Care Act, leading to a 126 percent increase in the uninsured rate.
24,000 Iowa young adults with their parents’ coverage could lose care. Because of the Affordable Care Act, millions of young adults are able to stay on their parents’ care until age 26.
1,530,502 Iowans Could Once Again Have To Pay For Preventive Care. Because of the ACA, health plans must cover preventive services — like flu shots, cancer screenings, contraception, and mammograms – at no cost to consumers. Thisincludes nearly1,530,502 Iowans, most of whom have employer coverage.
39,039 Iowans in the Marketplaces Would Pay More for Coverage. If the Trump-GOP lawsuit is successful, consumers would no longer have access to tax credits that help them pay their marketplace premiums, meaning roughly nine million people who receive these tax credits to pay for coverage will have to pay more, including 39,039 in Iowa.
51,596 Iowa Seniors Could Have to Pay More for Prescription Drugs.If the Trump-GOP lawsuit is successful, seniors could have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare “donut” hole would be reopened. From 2010 to 2016, “More than 11.8 million Medicare beneficiaries have received discounts over $26.8 billion on prescription drugs – an average of $2,272 per beneficiary,” according to a January 2017 CMS report. In Iowa, 51,596 seniors each saved an average of $1,058.
Five Ways Sen. Ernst Has Propped Up The Trump Administration’s Assault On Health Care
2014: Ernst Campaigned For The Senate With An Ad Where She “Unloads” On Obamacare By Shooting It With A Handgun. “Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst of Iowa has released a new TV ad vowing to ‘unload’ on Obamacare, in which she takes target practice at a shooting range with a handgun. The narrator of the ad says Ernst, a state senator and lieutenant colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard, ‘carries more than just lipstick in her purse.’ The commercial portrays her riding a motorcycle to a shooting range where she takes target practice. ‘Joni Ernst will take aim at wasteful spending. And once she sets her sights on Obamacare, Joni’s gonna unload,’ the narrator continues. Next, Ernst starts firing a handgun at a target. ‘Oh, and one more thing,’ adds the narrator as the dispersal of her shots on the target come into view. ‘Joni doesn’t miss much.’” [Washington Post, 5/4/14]
Ernst Voted For The Tax Bill Which Forms The Basis For The Trump-Republican Lawsuit. Ernst was a key vote for the Republican tax bill, which repealed a key provision of the Affordable Care Act that required most people to have health coverage and which is the basis of the Trump-Republican lawsuit seeking to overturn the Affordable Care Act. Even as the lawsuit makes its way through the federal court system, Ernst refuses to acknowledge the threat it poses to Americans’ health care. In response to the suit, Ernst cosponsored legislation that he claimed would protect Americans with pre-existing conditions if the ACA were struck down, but in reality would not bar insurers from denying coverage for individual medical conditions, meaning a cancer patient might be able to buy a health plan, but not one that covered treatment for cancer. Leading health care experts called the coverage offered by Tillis’s bill a “mirage” and “insultingly stupid.”
Ernst Voted To Confirm The Attorney General Leading The DOJ Assault On The ACA. Ernst voted to confirm Attorney General Bill Barr. Six weeks after Barr’s confirmation he led the DOJ to back a full invalidation of the Affordable Care Act in Texas v. Azar, a sharp escalation of the Trump administration’s ongoing war on the law.
Ernst Refused To Support Authorizing The Senate Legal Counsel To Intervene In The Trump-Republican Lawsuit And Defend The ACA. Ernst refused to sponsor a resolution (S. Res. 581), which would authorize Senate legal counsel to defend the Affordable Care Act against attack in Texas v. Azar.
Ernst Voted To Confirm Brett Kavanaugh — A Potential Pivotal Vote To Overturn The ACA. Ernst was a key vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh authored rulings expressing skepticism about the Affordable Care Act and could be the pivotal vote to overturn the law if Texas v. Azar were to reach the Supreme Court.
Speakers on Today’s Call Discussed New Report From Protect Our Care on the Vital Importance of Expanding Medicaid and stopping President Trump’s Sabotage of the Program
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Aging and the Subcommittee on Children and Families of the Senate HELP Committee, along with former CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt, Protect Our Care and Pennsylvania health care advocates held a press call today to discuss the importance of Medicaid and a new report from Protect Our Care on the overwhelming benefits of Medicaid expansion. The report, “Let’s Expand On That: Medicaid Expansion Has Made America Healthier But GOP Sabotage Threatens Those Gains,” released today by Protect Our Care, makes clear the critical importance of expanding Medicaid and the consequences that the Trump administration’s war on Medicaid will have for millions of people.
“This administration’s health care agenda is a slap in the face to Pennsylvania families and threatens gains we’ve made through Medicaid expansion,” said Senator Casey. “This report makes clear what this administration is doing to undermine Medicaid expansion and how the program is succeeding in spite of that. We fought them before, and we will continue to fight them to protect the Medicaid program and the millions of people whose health care depends on it, including those in rural communities in Pennsylvania and across America.”
“It’s a fact that Medicaid has helped millions of Americans, and the Trump Administration’s sabotage of the program puts every single one of them at risk,” said former CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt. “In states that chose to expand Medicaid, residents have improved access to cancer treatment, maternal care, have lower mortality rates, and overall better care than those without Medicaid expansion. This should not be a partisan issue and it’s time for Republicans to stop playing political games with people’s lives and stop attacking this life-saving program.”
“Republicans’ relentless attacks on Medicaid have – and will continue to have – real consequences for millions of Americans who rely on the program,” said Protect Our Care executive director Brad Woodhouse. “Even after their repeal and sabotage agenda fueled a Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, Republicans continue to do all they can to undermine Americans’ access to Medicaid, and our entire health care system.”
“My 10-year-old daughter Chessie was diagnosed with a developmental language disorder and autism at 3-years-old. She needs Medicaid. Without it, Chessie would fall through the cracks in society,” said Casey Dye from Monroeville PA. “ We’re afraid if they get rid of Medicaid expansion. It scares me to death. We are very thankful that PA recognizes that she has a disability.And they recognize that if they give her the resources now when she’s young, she would be a productive member of society later and help her community.”
“Despite millions of lives being on the line, including my own, the Trump administration continues to wreak havoc on Medicaid,” said Adrianne Gunter from Philadelphia, PA. “When I came down with multiple sclerosis, I couldn’t afford insurance and couldn’t gain employment due to my illness. But under Medicaid expansion, I was able to receive coverage and begin the treatments that have pushed some of my MS symptoms into remission, and allowed me to make plans for my future again.”
