January 2020

Washington, DC — Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the proposed annual Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for the 2021 benefit year, which outlines regulatory and financial guidelines applicable to exchange plans. According to reporting from Politico, “CMS is considering changing the automatic reenrollment process so people receiving tax subsidies covering their entire premium would instead be automatically signed up with reduced subsidies or no subsidies at all.” In response to the proposal, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach release the following statement:

“In their latest act of sabotage, the Trump administration is trying to make it harder for people to keep their current marketplace coverage, potentially stripping their subsidies and enrolling them in plans they can no longer afford. Instead of trying to make coverage more accessible and affordable to all Americans, from day one of his administration, President Trump has been waging a war on our health care. HHS should abandon this proposed change and stop its ongoing efforts to make it harder for people to access or afford care.”

Yesterday, the Trump administration announced their new plan to encourage states to apply for so-called “block grants” that would gut Medicaid coverage and kick people off the rolls. Health care experts and patient groups swiftly denounced the plan, noting that the Trump administration’s plan is another “unlawful” attempt to strip health care from Americans after similar plans have been rejected by Congress time and again.  

Vice President Pence was asked about the new guidance by Dr. Rob Davidson in Iowa last night. Dr. Davidson — an emergency room physician — explained that his patients depend on coverage through Medicaid expansion to receive emergency and primary care. The vice president claimed he “hadn’t heard” about cuts to Medicaid and told Dr. Davidson that he was “oversimplifying” the harmful impact of the administration’s block grant guidance.

See the interaction between Dr. Davidson and Vice President Pence below:

WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING:

Georgetown University Center for Children and Families Executive Director Joan Alker Said “The Misguided, Unlawful Guidance Issued By CMS Today Encourages States To Gamble With The Health And Well-Being Of Their Residents.” “The misguided, unlawful guidance issued by CMS today encourages states to gamble with the health and well-being of their residents and their budgets by trading in their guarantee of federal matching funds for a cap on federal funding on a portion of their programs. States already have a lot of flexibility in the Medicaid program. What this guidance does is to give states unprecedented new tools to make cuts to health care in their state. These cuts would also come with far less transparency and oversight.” [Georgetown Center For Children And Families, 1/30/20] 

Center On Budget And Policy Priorities: Medicaid “Block Grant” Guidance Will Likely Encourage States To Undermine Coverage. “Weakening that guarantee — or eliminating the federal standards and oversight that ensure that states, health plans, and providers comply with it — would worsen access to care, health, and financial security for beneficiaries and likely increase providers’ uncompensated care costs. Meanwhile, capping federal funding would likely shift costs to states, since they would be solely responsible for unexpected costs above the cap instead of sharing those costs with the federal government as they do today.” [Center On Budget And Policy Priorities, 1/29/20] 

Kaiser Family Foundation’s Larry Levitt Said “It’s Hard To See How This Could Help Patients.” “’The ‘opportunity’ here seems to be for states to limit benefits or drugs in Medicaid and pocket the savings,’ said KFF’s Larry Levitt. ‘It’s hard to see how this could help patients themselves.'” [Politico, 1/30/20] 

Leo Cuello, Director Of Health Policy At The National Health Law Program, Said “Apparently Desperate To Cut Health Care Coverage, The Administration Is Seeking To Fund Harmful Block Grants” “‘This is an underhanded attempt by the President to do what even a Republican Congress refused to do as recently as the failed Affordable Care Act repeal effort in 2017. People across the country in both political parties called their legislators and stopped that attempt to slash Medicaid,’ said Leo Cuello, NHeLP’s director of health policy. ‘After that failure, the administration attempted to circumvent Congress and transform Medicaid through other means such as restrictive work requirements, which courts so far have found illegal. Apparently desperate to cut health care coverage, the administration is seeking to fund harmful block grants. And make no mistake, these block grants would be devastating for any state that attempts to implement them, and any irresponsible state leader that pursues this policy will be acting against his or her state’s interests – harming the state budget, rural hospitals, state health insurance coverage—and the people who depend on Medicaid for their health insurance coverage.’” [National Health Law Program, 1/30/20] 

Joseph R. Antos, A Health Care Scholar At The Conservative American Enterprise Institute, Said That A Block Grant “Can’t Be Done.” “Joseph R. Antos, a health-care scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said the part of Medicaid law that allows states to get exceptions from the program’s usual rules does not allow federal health officials to waive the formula that defines the share of money the federal government and states provide. ‘Anything that sounds like a block grant,’ Antos said, ‘can’t be done.’” [Washington Post, 1/28/20] 

Sara Rosenbaum, Professor Of Health Law And Policy At George Washington University, Said That She Assumes The Trump Administration Is “Trying To Look Like They Are Helping Poor People, Without In Any Way Extending The Entitlement.” “‘Trying to get to the bottom of the politics of this is hard,’ said Sara Rosenbaum, a professor of health law and policy at George Washington University. ‘I assume that they are trying to look like they are helping poor people, without in any way extending the entitlement. It’s one of these sleights of hand where you’re trying to figure out exactly what’s at work.’” [New York Times, 1/30/20] 

WHAT THE PATIENT GROUPS ARE SAYING:

American Lung Association, American Heart Association, And 25 Other Patient Groups Said Trump’s Block Grants “Will Reduce Access To Quality And Affordable Health Care For Patients With Serious And Chronic Health Conditions And Are Therefore Unacceptable To Our Organizations.” “Per capita caps and block grants are designed to reduce federal funding for Medicaid, forcing states to either make up the difference with their own funds or make cuts to their programs that would reduce access to care for the patients we represent. As the gap between the capped allotment and actual costs of patient care increases over time, states will likely limit enrollment, reduce benefits, lower provider payments or increase cost-sharing for patients. States are already moving forward with deeply troubling proposals in anticipation of today’s guidance promoting these limiting financing arrangements. Simply put, block grants and per capita caps will reduce access to quality and affordable health care for patients with serious and chronic health conditions and are therefore unacceptable to our organizations.” [American Lung Association, 1/30/20] 

The American Academy of Pediatrics, Children’s Defense Fund, Children’s Hospital Association, Family Voices, First Focus on Children, Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, March of Dimes and National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Said “At A Time When Child Uninsurance Is Already On The Rise, This Guidance Makes It Even Harder To Guarantee Children Can Get The Care They Need.” “Our organizations are united in opposition to any threat to Medicaid that would dismantle a pillar program millions of families rely on. At a time when child uninsurance is already on the rise, this guidance makes it even harder to guarantee children can get the care they need. We urge CMS to immediately rescind the guidance and keep Medicaid strong.” [American Academy Of Pediatrics, 1/30/20] 

AARP: Block Grants “Could Put At Risk The Health Coverage For Millions Of Vulnerable Americans.” “AARP is deeply concerned that new guidance released today by CMS letting states cap funding in the Medicaid program could put at risk the health coverage for millions of vulnerable Americans. Capping the program’s funding structure and limiting benefits and services could leave millions without the coverage and care they need.” [AARP, 1/30/20]  

American Academy Of Pediatrics: It Is “Baffling And Alarming That Such Drastic, Harmful Changes Are Being Proposed To A Program That Works So Well.” “Today’s guidance invites states to pursue policies that will leave patients worse off, including limiting how many prescription medications are available and cutting critical benefits, even before federal funding runs out. Children make up the single largest group of people who rely on Medicaid, including children with special health care needs and those from low-income families. Unlike many commercial insurance plans, Medicaid guarantees specific benefits designed especially for children. Simply put: Medicaid works. In fact, children in Medicaid are more likely to get check-ups, miss less school, graduate and enter the workforce than their uninsured peers.”It is therefore baffling and alarming that such drastic, harmful changes are being proposed to a program that works so well for such vulnerable groups. It is even more concerning that it was done in a way that does not allow those who would be impacted most to weigh in.” [American Academy Of Pediatrics, 1/30/20] 

Rick Pollack, President and CEO Of The American Hospital Association, And Mark Parkinson, President and CEO Of The American Health Care Association, Said That “Entire Communities Could Lose Access To Care Under This Proposal.” “The presidents and CEOs of the American Hospital Association and American Health Care Association, Rick Pollack and Mark Parkinson, immediately criticized the Trump administration guidance Thursday, warning that it could lead to a $50 billion national Medicaid funding cut. ‘Entire communities could lose access to care under this proposal, especially in rural areas where 15 percent of hospital revenue and nearly two-thirds of nursing facility revenue nationwide depend on Medicaid funding,’ Pollack and Parkinson said in a joint statement. ‘The supplemental payment programs targeted in this rule are also a critical lifeline at hospitals, health systems and nursing facilities that serve some of the most vulnerable Americans.’” [Modern Healthcare, 1/30/20] 

ASCO President, Howard A “Skip” Burris III, Said Transforming Medicaid Into A Block Grant Program Would Jeopardize Health And Outcomes For People With Cancer. “‘A transition to block grants could transform Medicaid from a safety net program, designed to meet basic health needs for low-income Americans, to a program with funding limits that drive care rationing for the most vulnerable,’ said ASCO President Howard A. “Skip” Burris, III, MD, FACP, FASCO…’ASCO recognizes that state and federal budgets are facing mounting financial pressures—including the rising cost of cancer care—but transforming Medicaid into a block grant program would jeopardize health and outcomes for people with cancer,’ said Dr. Burris. ‘Furthermore, reducing access to care such as recommended cancer screenings could actually end up increasing the cost of care when patients present to providers with more complex, late-stage illnesses.’” [American Society of Clinical Oncology, 1/28/20] 

Charles N. “Chip” Kahn III, President Of The Federation Of American Hospitals, Said That Block Grants Are “Based On The Assumption You Can Control Costs,” But “You Can Get A Curveball In There, And It Can Throw The Whole Thing Off.” “Democrats and large swaths of the health-care industry have consistently opposed block grants, contending that such fixed payments could strand states financially when the economy deteriorates, expensive new therapies materialize or public health disasters arise. Such pressures, critics contend, would lead states to cut eligibility or services. ‘These are all the reasons you’ve got to be nervous about a block grant,’ said Charles N. “Chip” Kahn III, president of the Federation of American Hospitals. “’It’s based on the assumption you can control costs and the levels of services are the same from year to year. You can get a curveball in there, and it can throw the whole thing off.’” [Washington Post, 1/28/20] 

Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI), Representatives Donna Shalala (FL) and Susan Wild (PA) Denounce President Trump’s Disastrous Health Care Agenda in Battleground States Highlighting the Devastating Impacts for Their Constituents

Call audio available HERE

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI), U.S. Representatives Donna Shalala (FL-27) and Susan Wild (PA-07), and Protect Our Care held a press call where they denounced President Trump’s health care record ahead of his State of the Union Address next week, including his ongoing efforts to sabotage and repeal the health care law. Also on the call, Jim Williams with Public Policy Polling, discussed a new poll from PPP in key battleground states (Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) that found President Trump’s positions on health care issues are deeply unpopular among battleground voters. 

“Health care is personal, not political — it’s personal for every one of us. During the State of the Union, we are going to be focused on the president’s dangerous record of trying to take away health care for tens of millions of Americans,” said U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. “Over and over again they talk about protecting people with pre-existing conditions while doing everything they can to make sure that’s not possible and not affordable.” 

“My district has the largest enrollment in the ACA, and this president has tried to destroy their health care, because without coverage for pre-existing conditions you don’t have health insurance,” said Congresswoman Donna Shalala. “The president has no plan except to destroy the health care system as we know it. He’s absent on all major issues on health care — but more importantly, he’s making war on people’s health care. It’s going to drive costs up and destroy people’s lives.” 

“Every single day, constituents from my community voice their concerns about healthcare – many can’t afford their prescriptions and those with pre-existing conditions are terrified of losing their coverage,” said Congresswoman Susan Wild. “For Pennsylvanians, the stakes could not be higher. That’s why I am focused on increasing access to care and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. I am proud to work alongside Protect Our Care to strive for healthcare that is both affordable and accessible for every American in every community.”

“As President Trump prepares for his State of the Union Address, his signature domestic issue, repealing and sabotaging American health care, is an anvil weighing down his job approval ratings and putting in grave doubt his prospects for reelection. And he knows it.” said Brad Woodhouse, executive director for Protect Our Care. “The president recently flew off the handle and berated his own Secretary of Health and Human Services reacting to abysmal health care numbers in his own polling.  

“President Trump’s poor approval on health care is clearly of his own making, but it’s the American people who will pay the price if his war on Americans health care succeeds. Donald Trump has mounted a relentless war on American health care through trying to repeal the health care law – first in Congress and now in the courts – putting protections for 135 million people with pre-existing conditions and the insurance coverage of 20 million more at risk. Even this week, President Trump is proposing so-called block grants for Medicaid, a policy repeatedly rejected by Congress and is nothing more than a euphemism for slashing benefits for millions of Americans.”  

Key Findings From the Poll:

• Health care is the most important issue or a very important issue for a large majority of voters (68%) when deciding who to vote for in 2020. This issue is important to voters across party lines, including 66% of independents and 53% of Republicans.
• The overwhelming majority (83%) support allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug costs with drug companies, which Trump has promised to veto. Just 5% of voters oppose ending the ban on Medicare negotiating drug prices.
• 70% of voters oppose President Trump’s plan putting Medicare cuts on the table if he is re-elected—including by a plurality of Republicans, with 49% opposing his decision and only 38% in support.
• Battleground voters in these states Trump won in 2016 trust Democrats more than President Trump on both the issue of pre-existing conditions (53-43) and prescription drugs (51-45), two of the most important issues on voters’ minds in 2020. 
• Only 27% agree with President Trump’s lawsuit to strike down the Affordable Care Act in the courts.
• Trump’s effort to use the courts to eliminate protections for people with pre- existing conditions is a major concern for 72% of battleground state voters, including 73% of independents and 58% of Republicans.
• Similarly, the fact that 20 million Americans would completely lose their health insurance coverage if President Trump’s lawsuit is successful is a major concern for 69% of voters, including 71% of independents.

Call audio available HERE

Today, the Trump administration continued their quest to sabotage Medicaid by announcing new guidance encouraging states to apply for so-called “block grants” that will gut coverage and kick people off the rolls. Press reports quickly pointed out that millions will be hurt and that Congress has resoundingly rejected this proposal many times. 

New York Times: Administration Offers Plan For Medicaid Block Grants, Long A Conservative Goal. “Republicans have proposed block grants in various forms for decades, going back to the Reagan administration…More recently, Republicans’ bills to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act in 2017 proposed giving states a choice between a fixed annual sum per Medicaid recipient or a block grant, both of which would have almost certainly led to major cuts in coverage over time. Concerns from moderate House Republicans about the potential of deep cuts to Medicaid — which now serves more than 71 million people, or more than 1 in 5 Americans — helped doom the repeal effort.” [New York Times, 1/30/20] 

Vox: Trump’s Audacious New Plan To Cut Medicaid, Explained. “Medicaid would no longer pay whatever is necessary to provide medical care to the people in or near poverty who qualify for its benefits. Instead, spending would be limited in states that got a waiver from the federal government, and they could impose cuts on benefits. Trump has already tried to fundamentally alter the Medicaid program through work requirements, though he’s been stopped in the courts. But the block grants represent an even more basic remaking of Medicaid on his watch, one that would lead to spending cuts and fewer benefits.” [Vox, 1/30/20] 

Vox: Like Work Requirements, Trump’s Block Grants “A Roundabout Way To Roll Back Obamacare’s Expansion Of Medicaid Specifically.” “The block grants are also, like work requirements, a roundabout way to roll back Obamacare’s expansion of Medicaid specifically. Under the guidance released by CMS, it would be benefits for people newly eligible under the health care law — mostly childless adults and parents who are living in or near poverty — that would be subject to the block grants. In that context, despite Trump’s campaign promise not to cut Medicaid, these policies make sense as a means to an end for the conservatives whom Trump has put in charge of his health department.” [Vox, 1/30/20] 

Vox: “Trump’s Record On Medicaid Is Quite Clear: His Administration Continues Pursuing Legally Dubious Changes That Would Scale Back The Program.” “ Trump’s record on Medicaid is quite clear: His administration continues pursuing legally dubious changes that would scale back the program. Before courts put them on hold, his work requirements led to 17,000 people in Arkansas losing Medicaid benefits, without any noticeable improvement in employment.” [Vox, 1/30/20] 

Washington Examiner: Trump To Let States Overhaul Medicaid For The Poor, Seeking To Change Obamacare Without Legislation. “Thursday’s move is the latest example of Trump administration efforts to overhaul Obamacare after the Republican-controlled Senate failed to pass legislation to do so in 2017.” [Washington Examiner, 1/30/20] 

Politico: “The Plan Is The Administration’s Boldest Step Yet To Curb Medicaid Spending And Shrink The Program.” “The plan is the administration’s boldest step yet to curb Medicaid spending and shrink the program covering about 1 in 5 low-income Americans. But the move is inciting fierce opposition from Democrats who say it’s the latest evidence President Donald Trump is trying to sabotage health coverage.” [Politico, 1/30/20] 

Politico: “Congress Rejected A Similar Block Grant Proposal After Analysts Found It Would Result In Millions Losing Coverage.” “During the failed effort to repeal and replace Obamacare in 2017, Congress rejected a similar block grant proposal after analysts found it would result in millions of people losing coverage…The health care law — and in particular its Medicaid expansion — remains popular after the failed effort to replace it during Trump’s first year in office. Nearly three-quarters of states have expanded Medicaid since 2014, and support for the program has boosted Democratic candidates in conservative strongholds.” [Politico, 1/30/20] 

Politico: “Block Grants Have Been A Regular Feature In Republican Health Plans Dating Back To The 1980s,” But “There’s Never Been Enough Support For The Idea From Congress.” “Block grants have been a regular feature in Republican health plans dating back to the 1980s. Republicans say that states can better manage the programs on a defined budget and fewer rules set by Washington. However, Medicaid advocates say a block grant would limit states’ ability to respond to economic downturns and expensive new drugs, forcing them to trim their programs. There’s never been enough support for the idea from Congress.”  [Politico, 1/30/20] 

The Hill: “The Move Is Likely To Kick Off A Furious Legal Fight.” “The move is likely to kick off a furious legal fight. Democrats have been arguing the administration doesn’t have the authority to approve such drastic changes, and Medicaid advocates argue the changes would hurt low-income people and invite states to cut costs and reduce coverage.” [The Hill, 1/30/20] 

Block Grant Guidance Would Allow States To Impose Work Requirements And Cost Sharing And Premiums Without Additional Federal Approval. “States will have the ability to spend it however they see fit, without some federal guidelines. For example, the program will allow states to impose work requirements, cut provider payments, and require cost sharing and premiums without additional permission from the federal government. Notably, states will be able to adopt what is called a ‘closed formulary’ for certain drugs. This means a state can decide not to cover a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug if there is a cheaper alternative.” [The Hill, 1/30/20] 

The Hill: Allowing States To Impose Block Grants “Would Be Extremely Controversial And Have Widespread Implications About The Use Of Executive Power.” “Congress already rejected block grants when the GOP’s ObamaCare repeal bill failed in 2017. Allowing states to impose those same changes by statutory waiver would be extremely controversial and have widespread implications about the use of executive power.” [The Hill, 1/30/20] 

Modern Healthcare: Block Grants Could “Lead To Significant Coverage Losses And Reduce Access To Care For Some Of The Most Vulnerable Populations.” “Healthcare experts worry that under a block grant, states might have to slash their Medicaid rolls or payments to disproportionate-share hospitals to get program spending under control. That could lead to significant coverage losses and reduce access to care for some of the most vulnerable populations. It could also hurt doctors and hospitals by increasing the amount of uncompensated care that they provide.” [Modern Healthcare, 1/30/20] 

Wall Street Journal: Trump Administration to Give States Wide Latitude in Medicaid Block-Grant Plan. “The Trump administration on Thursday released details for how states can apply to convert Medicaid to block grants that would let them impose changes such as eligibility requirements and prescription drug limits for millions of adults in the program…A legal row over the changes is likely. Democrats say the administration lacks the authority to approve structural changes to Medicaid that they say would hurt enrollment. Consumer advocates say the changes, including the limits on federal funding, hurt the poor.” [Wall Street Journal, 1/30/20] 

Wall Street Journal: “A Republican-Led Push To Repeal The Affordable Care Act In 2017 Largely Failed Because It Included A Plan To Block-Grant Medicaid.” “Efforts to convert Medicaid to block grants have been contentious. A Republican-led push to repeal the Affordable Care Act in 2017 largely failed because it included a plan to block-grant Medicaid. Analysts said millions of people would lose health coverage. Democrats and consumer advocates say the new changes threaten enrollment gains seen under the former Obama administration and violate federal law.” [Wall Street Journal, 1/30/20] 

Politico: ‘Block Grants’ No More: Trump’s Medicaid Overhaul Has New Name, Same Goals. “The forthcoming block grant program comes with a new name — ‘Healthy Adult Opportunity’ — but retains the original mission long sought by conservatives: allowing states to cap a portion of their spending on Medicaid, a radical change in how the safety net health program is financed. The block grant plan, which invites states to request capped funding for poor adults covered by Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion, also would let states limit health benefits and drugs available to some patients.” [Politico, 1/29/20] 

Paul Waldman In The Washington Post: The Trump Administration’s Cruelty Knows No Limits. Here’s The Latest. “So states would be allowed to turn away qualified applicants, limit health benefits and deprive people access to medications they need. That’s ‘Healthy Adult Opportunity’ in the same sense that if I shoot you in the kneecap, I’ve given you ‘Mobility-Enhancing Pain Relief.'” [Washington Post, 1/29/20] 

Paul Waldman In The Washington Post: “Verma Has Made No Secret Of The Fact That She’d Like To Have As Few People Getting Medicaid As Possible.” “Block-granting has long been a conservative goal, but Seema Verma, whom Trump named to run the Medicare and Medicaid programs, has taken to it with a particular relish. Verma has made no secret of the fact that she’d like to have as few people getting Medicaid as possible, and every time someone loses their coverage, as far as she’s concerned, it’s a victory.” [Washington Post, 1/29/20] 

Paul Waldman In The Washington Post: “We Can Be Sure That Every Day This Administration Is In Office, It Will Try To Take Health Coverage Away From As Many Americans As It Can.” “We can’t know what the future of the ACA is (though my suspicion is that knowing what a catastrophe it would be for the Republican Party if they actually succeeded in their lawsuit, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. will step in and vote with the liberal justices to save his party from itself). But we can be sure that every day this administration is in office, it will try to take health coverage away from as many Americans as it can.” [Washington Post, 1/29/20] 

Washington, DC — President Trump’s rally in Des Moines, Iowa tonight comes after years of his relentless war on health care, and his own polling that shows his health care record is deeply unpopular. Ahead of Trump’s rally, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse released the following statement:

“Iowans won’t hear about President Trump’s disastrous and unpopular health care record at his rally tonight. President Trump is lying when he claims that he has ‘saved’ protections for people with pre-existing conditions and would never take away Medicaid benefits. The fact of the matter is that the president’s disastrous Texas lawsuit would strip protections from nearly 1.3 million Iowans with pre-existing conditions and less than a week ago he indicated that he is open to cutting benefits for Medicare and Medicaid if he wins re-election. Voters in Iowa know the truth and are sick and tired of President Trump and Republicans playing politics with their health care.”

BACKGROUND:

Trump-Backed Texas Lawsuit Would Devastate Iowans

If Trump Gets His Way, Iowans Would Lose Their Coverage

• 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.
• 9,000 Iowa children could lose their coverage. Almost three million children nationwide gained coverage thanks to the ACA. If the law is overturned, many of these children will lose their insurance.
• 13,600 Iowa Latinos could lose coverage. The percentage of people gaining health insurance under the ACA was higher for Latinos than for any other racial or ethnic group in the country. According to a study from Families USA, 5.4 million Latinos nationwide would lose coverage if the lawsuit succeeds in overturning the ACA.
• Iowans would lose important federal health care funding — an estimated reduction of $1.4 billion in the first year. The Urban Institute estimates that a full repeal of the ACA would reduce federal spending on Iowans’ Medicaid/CHIP care and Marketplace subsidies by $1.4 billion. 

If Trump Gets His Way, Insurance Companies Would Be Put Back In Charge, Ending Protections For The 135 Million People Nationwide With A Pre-Existing Condition

• According to a recent analysis by the Center for American Progress, roughly half of nonelderly Americans, or as many as 135 million people, have a pre-existing condition. This includes:
  • 44 million people who have high blood pressure
  • 45 million people who have behavioral health disorders
  • 44 million people who have high cholesterol
  • 34 million people who have asthma and chronic lung disease
  • 34 million people who have osteoarthritis and other joint disorders
•  1,288,400 Iowans have a pre-existing condition, including 174,700 Iowa children, 643,000 Iowa women, and 324,100 Iowans between ages 55 and 64.

If Trump Gets His Way, Insurance Companies Would Have The Power To Charge You More, While Their Profits Soar

• 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. This includes nearly 1,530,502 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.
• Reinstate Lifetime and Annual Limits On 1,187,000 Privately Insured Iowans. Repealing the Affordable Care Act means insurance companies would be able to impose annual and lifetime limits on coverage for those insured through their employer or on the individual market.

If Trump Gets His Way, Medicaid Expansion Would Be Repealed

• 155,400 Iowans Enrolled Through Medicaid Expansion Could Lose Coverage. Seventeen million people have coverage through the expanded Medicaid program, including 155,400 in Iowa. 
• Access To Treatment Would Be In Jeopardy For 800,000 People With Opioid Use Disorder. Roughly four in ten, or 800,000 people with an opioid use disorder are enrolled in Medicaid. Many became eligible through Medicaid expansion.
• Key Support For Rural Hospitals Would Disappear, leaving Iowa hospitals with $684 million more in uncompensated care. 

Washington, DC – Tomorrow, the Trump administration is taking another step to sabotage Americans’ health care by issuing new guidance that could severely limit state funding for those enrolled in Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. A perennially unsuccessful conservative priority dating back to Ronald Reagan, block grants are a blatant attempt to gut coverage and kick people off the rolls. Block grants would reduce funding for states and have repeatedly been rejected by Congress. In response to the administration’s pending proposal, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“Once again, President Trump is taking cruel and unnecessary action to sabotage a program that is a lifeline to millions of Americans. The administration’s benefit-slashing block grants – which Congress has rejected time and time again – target Americans who have gained coverage through Medicaid expansion, one of the Affordable Care Act’s most successful and popular provisions. Medicaid has been in President Trump’s crosshairs since day one; with this new block grant guidance along with proposed budget cuts, onerous paperwork requirements, and his lawsuit that would overturn Medicaid expansion, President Trump is putting Medicaid on the chopping block and putting millions of Americans health care at risk.” 

BACKGROUND

Experts, Patient Groups Confirm Block Grants Would Hurt Patients: 

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Diabetes Association, And 25 Other Patient Groups Said Blocks Grants “Will Reduce Access To Quality And Affordable Health Care For Patients WIth Serious And Chronic Health Conditions.” “Per capita caps and block grants are designed to reduce federal funding for Medicaid, forcing states to either make up the difference with their own funds or make cuts to their programs that would reduce access to care for the patients we represent. As the gap between the capped allotment and actual costs of patient care increases over time, states will likely limit enrollment, reduce benefits, lower provider payments or increase cost-sharing for patients. States like Utah and Tennessee are already moving forward with deeply troubling proposals in anticipation of new federal guidance promoting these capped financing arrangements. Simply put, block grants and per capita caps will reduce access to quality and affordable healthcare for patients with serious and chronic health conditions and are therefore unacceptable to our organizations. We strongly oppose policies that would allow states to apply for block grants or per capita caps for their Medicaid programs.” [American Diabetes Association, 7/18/19] 

Center On Budget And Policy Priorities: Medicaid Block Grant Guidance “Threatens The Well-Being Of Both Low-Income And Vulnerable Medicaid Beneficiaries And Those Who Provide Their Care.” “The combination of eligibility restrictions, weaker beneficiary protections, greater financial risk for states, and reduced federal oversight threatens the well-being of both low-income and vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries and those who provide their care. Medicaid’s coverage guarantee means that coverage is there when it’s needed: people who lose their jobs or get sick can enroll when they qualify and receive a core set of health care services that all states must cover. Ending that guarantee — or eliminating the federal oversight that ensures that states, health plans, and providers comply with it — would worsen access to care, health, and financial security for Medicaid enrollees and very likely increase uncompensated care costs for hospitals and other providers.” [Center On Budget And Policy Priorities, 6/27/19] 

Center For American Progress: Medicaid Block Grants “Would Not Only Critically Undermine The Federal Government’s Mandate To Provide Affordable Health Care For Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations, But They Would Also Reduce Overall Funding For The Program And Shift Medicaid Responsibility To The States.” “Efforts to implement Medicaid block grants and per-capita caps using Section 1115 waivers would not only critically undermine the federal government’s mandate to provide affordable health care for low-income, vulnerable populations, but they would also reduce overall funding for the program and shift Medicaid responsibility to the states. If state Medicaid costs were higher than expected due to increased enrollment as a result of economic shocks or natural disasters, states would be forced to either supplement their Medicaid program from other funding sources, increase taxes, or reduce services provided to enrollees.” [Center For American Progress, 8/7/19] 

Rachel Sachs, Associate Professor Of Law At Washington University In St. Louis, And Nicole Huberfeld, Health Law Professor At Boston University School of Public Health, Said Block Grants “Would Very Likely Involve Disenrollment And Other Cost-Cutting Measures That Endanger The Lives Of The Most Vulnerable Patients.” “States already have significant flexibility within the Medicaid program, which always has been state specific. The administration’s desired policy change attempts to bypass the law, raising serious separation of powers concerns. And capped spending would very likely involve disenrollment and other cost-cutting measures that endanger the lives of the most vulnerable patients. Under a capped spending policy, it is foreseeable that states would face cost-cutting choices that harm the health of Medicaid beneficiaries of all kinds and especially those relying on access to care such as the medications necessary to manage chronic diseases and other life-threatening conditions.” [Health Affairs, 7/24/19] 

Peter Edelman, Faculty Director Of The Georgetown Center On Poverty & Inequality, Said “Block Grants Create A Powerful Incentive For States To Reduce Assistance Even As Need Rises.” “With fixed funding levels, block grants create a powerful incentive for states to reduce assistance even as need rises. After all, they get to keep the ‘savings’ in what essentially becomes a slush fund. As has been seen in the TANF program created by the 1996 welfare law, states have used the malleability of the block grant to make it harder for people to receive benefits. As a result, the number of families experiencing poverty who receive TANF has fallen precipitously.” [Washington Post, 1/22/17] 

Washington, DC — President Trump’s rally in Wildwood, New Jersey tonight comes after years of his relentless war on health care and his own polling that shows his health care record is deeply unpopular. Ahead of Trump’s rally, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse released the following statement:

“New Jerseyans won’t hear about President Trump’s disastrous and unpopular health care record at his rally tonight. President Trump is lying when he claims that he has ‘saved’ protections for people with pre-existing conditions and would never take away Medicaid benefits. The fact of the matter is that the president’s disastrous Texas lawsuit would strip protections from nearly 4 million New Jerseyans with pre-existing conditions and less than a week ago he indicated that he is open to cutting benefits for Medicare and Medicaid if he wins re-election. Voters in New Jersey know the truth and are sick and tired of President Trump and Republicans playing politics with their health care.”

BACKGROUND:

Trump-Backed Texas Lawsuit Would Devastate New Jerseyans

If Trump Gets His Way, New Jerseyans Would Lose Their Coverage

• 595,000 New Jerseyans could lose coverage. According to the Urban Institute, 595,000 New Jerseyans would lose coverage by repealing the Affordable Care Act, leading to a 81 percent increase in the uninsured rate.
• 59,000 New Jersey 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.
• 53,000 New Jersey children could lose their coverage. Almost three million children nationwide gained coverage thanks to the ACA. If the law is overturned, many of these children will lose their insurance.
• 176,900 New Jersey Latinos could lose coverage. The percentage of people gaining health insurance under the ACA was higher for Latinos than for any other racial or ethnic group in the country. According to a study from Families USA, 5.4 million Latinos nationwide would lose coverage if the lawsuit succeeds in overturning the ACA.
• New Jerseyans would lose important federal health care funding — an estimated reduction of $2.7 billion in the first year. The Urban Institute estimates that a full repeal of the ACA would reduce federal spending on New Jerseyans’ Medicaid/CHIP care and Marketplace subsidies by $2.7 billion. 

If Trump Gets His Way, Insurance Companies Would Be Put Back In Charge, Ending Protections For The 135 Million People Nationwide With A Pre-Existing Condition

• According to a recent analysis by the Center for American Progress, roughly half of nonelderly Americans, or as many as 135 million people, have a pre-existing condition. This includes:
  • 44 million people who have high blood pressure
  • 45 million people who have behavioral health disorders
  • 44 million people who have high cholesterol
  • 34 million people who have asthma and chronic lung disease
  • 34 million people who have osteoarthritis and other joint disorders
•  3,834,400 New Jerseyans have a pre-existing condition, including 472,400 New Jersey children, 1,890,000 New Jersey women, and 944,100 New Jerseyans between ages 55 and 64. 

If Trump Gets His Way, Insurance Companies Would Have The Power To Charge You More, While Their Profits Soar

• 4,210,183 New Jerseyans 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. This includes nearly 4,210,183 New Jerseyans, most of whom have employer coverage.
• 186,898 New Jerseyans 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 186,898 in New Jersey.
• 202,098 New Jersey 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 New Jersey, 202,098 seniors each saved an average of $1,344.
• Reinstate Lifetime and Annual Limits On 3,274,000 Privately Insured New Jerseyans. Repealing the Affordable Care Act means insurance companies would be able to impose annual and lifetime limits on coverage for those insured through their employer or on the individual market.

If Trump Gets His Way, Medicaid Expansion Would Be Repealed

• 580,200 New Jerseyans Enrolled Through Medicaid Expansion Could Lose Coverage. Seventeen million people have coverage through the expanded Medicaid program, including 580,200 in New Jersey. 
• Access To Treatment Would Be In Jeopardy For 800,000 People With Opioid Use Disorder. Roughly four in ten, or 800,000 people with an opioid use disorder are enrolled in Medicaid. Many became eligible through Medicaid expansion.
• Key Support For Rural Hospitals Would Disappear, leaving New Jersey hospitals with $1.4 billion more in uncompensated care. 

Washington, DC – The Trump administration is poised to take another step to sabotage Americans’ health care by issuing new guidance that would allow states to convert their Medicaid program into block grants that will specifically target those enrolled through Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. These so-called block grants are seen by health care experts as a blatant attempt to gut coverage and kick people off the rolls, and have repeatedly been rejected by Congress. In response to the administration’s proposal, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“The president’s war on health care knows no bounds. In the same week President Trump said cuts to Medicare and Medicaid are on the table, we now learn that his administration is set to propose benefit-slashing block grants on Medicaid expansion, targeting the benefits of millions of Americans who have gained coverage through one of the Affordable Care Act’s most important, successful and popular provisions. President Trump blew his stack last week when he found out how poor his own polling is on the issue of health care and his response is to slash health care coverage for potentially millions of Americans? Seriously?”

Yesterday, President Trump made clear he is putting on the table slashing benefits for vital programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security during an interview with CNBC at the World Economic Forum. The press quickly pointed out that Trump had made repeated promises to never cut these programs only to once again abandon that promise by threatening to cut Medicare and other benefits paid into by millions of Americans. Given President Trump’s latest remarks, it’s evident he has no problem cutting benefits from people who have worked a lifetime to earn them to fund his deficit-busting tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.

Associated Press: Trump Suggests He May Be Open To Entitlement Cuts In Future. “Early in his presidential campaign, Trump said he was a different sort of Republican, one who would not cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. The Medicaid promise was ultimately abandoned. The unsuccessful Republican drive to repeal ‘Obamacare’ would have also limited future federal spending on that federal-state health insurance program for low-income people. More recently, Trump’s 2020 budget called for deep cuts in Medicare payments to hospitals… the head of an advocacy group created to defend the Affordable Care Act said Trump tipped his hand with his comments in Davos. ‘The president has made it clear that he wants to make draconian cuts to both Medicare and Medicaid — something that the American people vehemently oppose — and today he said he’s going to try again,’ said Leslie Dach, chairman of Protect Our Care.” [Associated Press, 1/22/20]

New York Times: Trump Opens Door To Cuts To Medicare And Other Entitlement Programs. “The president has already proposed cuts for some safety-net programs. His last budget proposal called for a total of $1.9 trillion in cost savings from mandatory safety-net programs, like Medicaid and Medicare. It also called for spending $26 billion less on Social Security programs, the federal retirement program, including a $10 billion cut to the Social Security Disability Insurance program, which provides benefits to disabled workers.” [New York Times, 1/22/20]

USA Today: Trump Says He’d “Take A Look’ At Changing Entitlements Such As Medicare. “Trump promised early in his presidential campaign that he would not cut entitlement programs and lashed out at other GOP candidates over the issue. ‘The Republicans who want to cut SS & Medicaid are wrong,’ he wrote on Twitter in July 2015. ‘I’m not going to cut Social Security like every other Republican, and I’m not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid,’ Trump told The Daily Signal in May 2015, weeks before he launched his White House run…as president, Trump’s budgets have called for reductions in Medicare and Medicaid spending. He proposed cutting billions of dollars from Social Security disability programs but has not suggested reducing retirement benefits.” 

Axios: Trump Suggests Entitlement Cuts Could Come In His Second Term. “Trump said in his 2015 campaign launch speech that America needs to ‘save Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security without cuts.’ Asked by CNBC Wednesday if cuts to entitlements would now be something he’d consider, Trump responded: ‘At the right time, we will take a look at that.’ Asked directly about cuts to Medicare, Trump reiterated: ‘We’re going to look,’ but did not offer specifics. The big picture: The president’s latest budget proposal already called for $1.9 trillion in cost savings from mandatory safety-net programs like Medicare and Medicaid, as well as $26 billion less in spending on Social Security programs.” [Axios, 1/22/20] 

Business Insider: Trump Says Reforming Social Security And Medicare Is ‘the Easiest Of All Things’ As He Appears Open To Cutting Entitlement Spending. “In the interview, the president said entitlement reform could happen at the ‘right’ moment and appeared to credit the strength of the US economy for providing momentum to shrink spending on two of the nation’s biggest government programs…Any initiative to cut spending on Social Security and Medicare would be a break from his 2016 campaign pledge to protect funding for those programs.”  [Business Insider, 1/22/20] 

HuffPost: Trump Says He’s Willing To Tackle Entitlements ‘Toward The End Of The Year.’ “Trump’s comments to CNBC on Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, are a change from his past promises to Americans that he would leave those programs untouched, although his administration has pushed to downsize them. Given the enormous popularity of the programs, even hinting at entitlement cuts is typically the third rail of politics, particularly in an election year. Democrats have warned that Trump might do more to decrease the social safety net, and he just confirmed they’re right.“ [HuffPost, 1/22/20] 

Slate: Donald Trump Says He’s Willing to “Look” at Entitlements “Toward The End of This Year.” “When Donald Trump campaigned for president in 2016, one of his central promises was that he would not touch Medicare or Social Security benefits for the elderly, a vow that helped him come off as a relative centrist in the Republican field on economic issues. However, during a Wednesday interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump told CNBC host Joe Kernen that his administration would look into cutting federal entitlement programs at some point toward the end of the year, and that reforming them would be ‘the easiest of all things.’” [Slate, 1/22/20] 

Washington Examiner: ‘We Will Take A Look’: Trump To Consider Entitlement Cuts Toward End Of 2020. “President Trump said he will begin considering cuts to entitlement spending “toward the end of the year,” putting a politically perilous issue in play for 2020 that he had kept off the table in 2016, when he pledged to leave the programs alone.” [Washington Examiner, 1/22/20] 

Washington Post: Trump’s Comments About Entitlement Cuts Come After He Dismissed Concerns About The Budget Deficit. “The campaigns’ dispute reflects the political sensitivity of the Social Security issue. The budget deficit has soared under Trump, in part due to consecutive and significant increases to military spending under his administration. In recent private remarks to donors about the rising spending, Trump appeared unfazed by the ballooning deficit, saying: ‘Who the hell cares about the budget? We’re going to have a country.’ Trump also told CNBC the administration would look to cut taxes again in the second term. Trump claimed the 2017 Republican tax law had reduced rather than increased the deficit, a claim some nonpartisan budget experts said was not true.” [Washington Post, 1/22/20] 

Newsweek: Trump Said He’d Be Open To Entitlement Cuts “After Making Protecting Medicare, Social Security, And Other Social Programs Important Campaign Tentpoles.” “After making protecting Medicare, Social Security and other social programs important campaign tentpoles during his 2016 presidential campaign, President Donald Trump said during a CNBC interview with Joe Kernen on Wednesday that he’d be open to cutting funds to such programs in the future.” [Newsweek, 1/23/20] 

Protect Our Care’s Days of Action wrapped up just as the Supreme Court rejected House Democrats and Democrat state attorneys general’s request to fast-track consideration of the Trump-Republican lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act, keeping the health care of millions of Americans in limbo.

Over the last two weeks, Protect Our Care organized 11 Days of Action to remind Americans how last month’s decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas vs. United States will impact every corner of the American health care system. Protect Our Care held events across the country with state attorneys general, state legislators and health care advocates to show how their communities will be impacted by this disastrous lawsuit if Trump and Republicans succeed in overturning the health care law. 

Protect Our Care’s Days of Action included:

Medicaid Expansion

Protections For People with Pre-Existing Conditions

Protection For Individuals with Disabilities

Key Protection For Seniors

LGBTQ Health Care

Children’s Coverage

Protection For Women

Prescription Drug Costs

Rural Health 

Marketplace Signups & Financial Assistance

Coverage For Communities of Color

Here’s a look at the events and some of the news coverage that took place over the Days of Action:

ARIZONA

Friday, January 17th – Letter Drop at AG Brnovich’s Office 

Protect Our Care Arizona was joined by patient advocates and the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans at Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office to deliver letters from Arizonans urging the attorney general to protect their health care amid legal challenges to the Affordable Care Act. Last month, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Trump administration and Republicans in Texas vs. United States, a partisan lawsuit to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. The decision is a devastating blow to Arizonans, particularly seniors, who depend on the law to keep health care costs low. You can view the post-event release here. 

COLORADO

Wednesday, January 15th – Press Conference with Advocates

Protect Our Care Colorado was joined by patient advocates, health care experts, and Rocky Mountain Values at a press conference outside of Senator Cory Gardner’s office to denounce Senator Cory Gardner’s support for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision in Texas vs. United States, the partisan lawsuit seeking to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Speakers described the devastating toll the lawsuit could take on their families, and health care experts explained why partisan efforts to throw our health care system into chaos are irresponsible and dangerous for Coloradans. View the post-event release here, and watch video of the event here. 

GEORGIA

Tuesday, January 14th – Press Conference with Women State Legislators

Protect Our Care Georgia was joined by a host of women state legislators, including State Sen. Jen Jordan, State Rep. Pat Gardner, State Sen. Nan Orrock, State Sen. Nikema Williams; Laura Simmons, NARAL state director; and Jarah Cotton, a native Georgian and Harvard freshman with a pre-existing condition who relies on the ACA to stay in her parents’ coverage. They discussed the consequences of the Texas lawsuit on women’s health care and called on new Senator Kelly Loeffler to stand up for her constituents. View the post-event release here, and watch video of the event here.

Georgia Recorder: Georgia Dems push new GOP U.S. Senator to oppose Obamacare repeal

CBS46: Women lawmakers concerned, call on Loeffler to push against lawsuit

The Newnan Times-Herald: Court: Part of ‘Obamacare’ invalid, more review needed

MAINE

Friday, January 17th – Press Conference on Pre-existing Conditions Protections

Protect Our Care Maine was joined by State Rep. Donna Doore, who is also a three-time cancer patient, and Whitney Parrish, Policy Director of Health Equity Alliance, to discuss how the decision in favor of the Trump administration in the Texas v. United States lawsuit would be devastating to Mainers with pre-existing conditions. They also condemned Sen. Susan Collins’ failure to sign on to a Senate resolution that would reverse the administration’s support of the lawsuit, and called on her to stand up for her constituents. View the post-event release here, and watch video of the event here.

MICHIGAN

Thursday, January 16th – Roundtable with AG Nessel and Advocates

Protect Our Care Michigan was joined by Attorney General Dana Nessel, the Michigan League for Public Policy, and patient advocates to discuss the disastrous ruling in favor of the Trump administration and Republicans in Texas vs. United States and its potential impact on seniors, patients with pre-existing conditions, and those who rely on the Healthy Michigan Plan. Participants emphasized the importance of the Affordable Care Act ensuring healthcare access for the seven percent of Michiganders using Medicaid, young people sharing their parents’ insurance, and those with pre-existing conditions both in Michigan and across the country. View the post-event release here.

WLNS: AG Nessel takes part in discussion on future of Affordable Care Act

Michigan Advance: Hospitals, economists join 20 AGs in ACA court fight

MIRS: Did Republicans Hitch Their Wagon To Political Loser With Anti-ACA Stance?

MINNESOTA

Friday, January 17th – Press Conference with State Legislators and Advocates

Protect Our Care Minnesota was joined by Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund, and Reps. Laurie Halverson and Rep. Kelly Morrison to discuss the disastrous ruling in favor of the Trump administration and Republicans in Texas vs. United States, a partisan lawsuit to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and its potential impact on women’s health. Speakers explained how the Affordable Care Act improved access to care for women in Minnesota and across the country, and described how the Fifth Circuit’s decision in favor of the partisan lawsuit could leave women without the care they depend on. View the post-event release here. 

NEVADA

Thursday, January 16th – Press Conference with Health Care Advocates

Healthcare advocates including Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow, Healthcare Advocate Allison Stephens, Alex Camberos with the Children’s Advocacy Alliance, and Forrest Darby with the Nevada Alliance of Retired Americans denounced the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision in the Trump administration and Republicans in Texas vs. United States, a partisan lawsuit to dismantle the Affordable Care Act at a press conference on Thursday. Participants called on Republican lawmakers to stand up to the lawsuit and for the Trump administration to stop its attempts to repeal the law. You can view the post event release here.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Thursday, January 16th – Editorial Meeting with Brad Woodhouse and Laconia Daily Sun

Protect Our Care New Hampshire arranged a phone meeting between the managing editor and a reporter at the Laconia Daily Sun and Brad Woodhouse. They discussed what the Affordable Care Act has done for the state of New Hampshire, especially in rural areas, and the consequences for Granite Staters if the ACA were to be struck down in court.

NORTH CAROLINA

Friday, January 17th – Press Conference with Health Care Advocates

Protect Our Care North Carolina was joined by Piedmont Rising, Action NC, and Little Lobbyists   at a press conference outside Sen. Thom Tillis’ Charlotte office to condemn the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in favor of the Trump administration in Texas vs. United States, a partisan lawsuit to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Speakers criticized Senator Tillis for his support of the lawsuit, that could leave millions of North Carolinians without access to health care. Advocates shared their stories of obtaining health care through the Affordable Care Act, and described and what loss of coverage would mean for their families. Speakers called on Sen. Thom Tillis to stand up for his constituents, and urged the Supreme Court to take action on the case immediately. View the post-event release here.

WISCONSIN

Tuesday, January 14th – Doctors Press Conference

Ahead of Trump’s visit to Milwaukee, Protect Our Care and the Committee to Protect Medicare held a press conference with several doctors called attention to Trump’s broken promises on health care and warned of the impending danger of the Texas lawsuit winding its way through the courts. You can view the post-event release here. 

Tuesday, January 14th – Trump Bracketing Press Conference

In response to Trump’s visit to Milwaukee, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett held a press conference calling attention to the president’s attempts to eliminate the ACA. His most recent attack being the Texas lawsuit—which would overturn the ACA in its entirety—is still pending in the courts. You can view the post-event release here. 

Wisconsin Public Radio: Ahead Of Trump Rally, Milwaukee Streets Packed With Supporters

WITI: ‘An attack on Obamacare:’ Dems protest Pres. Trump’s ‘broken promises on health care’

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump sends a message to Democrats with a rally in Milwaukee, home of the 2020 DNC