News reports this week highlighted a new poll from Public Policy Polling for Protect Our Care shows that voters in Kentucky strongly reject Mitch McConnell’s push to reopen schools in the fall even as the pandemic rages on across the country and support key provisions of the Heroes Act championed by House Democrats. As Mitch McConnell scrambles to get his caucus and the White House on the same page this week about the next COVID relief package, it’s clear their priorities are being rejected by people in McConnell’s home state and around the country who understand that the provisions outlined by Democrats such as increased federal funding for testing and a special enrollment period for the ACA are truly what’s necessary to keep them healthy and safe.
The Hill: Poll Shows McConnell Under Pressure At Home Over Next Coronavirus Bill. “A new poll conducted by the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling shows Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) getting pushback from voters in Kentucky because of his opposition to more federal aid to state and local governments and his call to get kids back to school quickly.” [The Hill, 7/21/20]
Daily Kos: Kentucky Voters Reject Every McConnell Stance on COVID-19 Relief. “The voters of Kentucky roundly support the key provisions of the HEROES coronavirus relief bill from House Democrats, and roundly oppose Sen. Mitch McConnell’s push to reopen schools in the middle of the pandemic. That’s what Public Policy Polling (PPP) found in a poll conducted July 17-18 in Kentucky for Protect Our Care.” [Daily Kos, 7/22/20]
Newsweek: Most Voters in Mitch McConnell’s Home State of Kentucky Disagree with Him on Coronavirus Federal Aid. “A majority of voters in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s home state of Kentucky disagree with his coronavirus federal aid plan, according to a new poll… The poll from Public Policy Polling also found a majority of Kentucky voters disagree with sending children back to school, a stance that McConnell has supported. According to the poll, 56 percent of voters in the state said they disagree with sending kids back to school, while 31 percent said the opposite.” [Newsweek, 7/21/20]
Washington DC — Today, a new poll from Public Policy Polling for Protect Our Care shows that voters support key provisions of the recently passed coronavirus relief bill known as the Heroes Act championed by House Democrats, and strongly oppose Mitch McConnell’s push to reopen schools in the fall even as the pandemic rages on across the country. The poll finds broad support for common sense provisions in the Heroes Act like funding for coronavirus testing and treatment, and opening up a special enrollment period for Kentuckians to sign up for health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act. A majority of Kentuckians also disagree with McConnell’s stated position of opening schools back up in the fall. The poll also found that McConnell’s approval rating trails significantly to that of Democratic Governor Andy Beshear who has been a leader for Kentuckians and listened to medical experts during the pandemic.
“Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans’ blind loyalty to a president who refuses to listen to medical experts or take action to fight this virus flies in the face of their constituents who want their leaders to enact common sense solutions outlined in the Heroes Act,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Kentuckians understand that in order to fight this deadly virus we need increased federal funding for coronavirus testing and treatment and the creation of a special enrollment period to sign up for health care under the Affordable Care Act. It’s clear that Kentuckians soundly reject McConnell and Trump’s reckless position to send kids back to school in the fall without a plan or resources to do so safely. Senate Republicans are putting their desire to please this president over the grave concerns of medical experts and their own constituents who are pleading with them to put the health and safety of the nation first.”
Key Findings From the Survey Include:
73% support increasing funding for testing and treatment for the coronavirus, while only 14% oppose it
68% support increasing federal funding for Medicaid, so states do not have to reduce Medicaid coverage and benefits during a pandemic, with only 17% opposed
65% support allocating $1 trillion to state and local governments to pay vital workers like first responders, health workers, and teachers, while just 21% oppose this
52% support creating a special enrollment period for Americans to sign up for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, while just 26% oppose it
61% of Kentucky voters trust medical experts more than President Trump, including a majority of independents (61%) and a plurality (42%) of Republicans
56% disagree with McConnell’s stated position on sending kids back to school in the fall even as coronavirus infections continue to rise
Senator Mitch McConnell is underwater in his overall job approval in his home state by a margin of 8 points (40-48) while Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, has a job approval rating of 54% with Kentucky voters versus only 35% who disapprove of his performance in office
Ads Launched Today Are Part of Protect Our Care’s Previously Announced $2 Million Digital and TV Ad Campaign On Trump’s Failed Coronavirus Response
Washington, DC — Protect Our Care is launching two new digital ads today as part of our $2 million ad campaign criticizing the Trump administration’s failed coronavirus response that put millions of Americans at grave risk.
“Doubling Down,” features Tarik Khan, a RN and family nurse practitioner from Pennsylvania, talking about how President Trump’s coronavirus response has been a failure from the start, and even as the crisis worsens, Trump “keeps doubling down on his mistakes and ignoring the facts.”
“Outstrip,” features Dr. Rob Davidson, an emergency room physician from Michigan discussing how Trump’s refusal to listen to medical experts and failed response to the pandemic has resulted in spikes in cases and hospitalizations, and how these spikes threaten to “outstrip” hospitals of their PPE and resources to combat the virus.
The ads will run in Pennsylvania and Michigan on digital platforms and connected devices.
These ads are the next round in a series of TV and digital ads first launched by Protect Our Care last week. As cases of coronavirus continue to spike around the country and the death toll nears 140,000, the ads urge the Trump administration to listen to medical experts and do more to protect Americans during the pandemic. All ads released as part of this campaign make clear that the coronavirus pandemic “didn’t have to be this bad.”
It is Protect Our Care’s hope that through these ads, the administration will heed the warnings of medical professionals on the front lines and take more serious and effective action to fight the pandemic.
“President Trump’s botched coronavirus response has been catastrophic for America, and his failure to listen to the advice of medical experts or professionals on the frontlines of this crisis has only made it worse,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Health care workers know that President Trump’s refusal to take this crisis seriously has only led to spikes in cases, hospitalizations, PPE shortages and more unnecessary deaths. Americans are increasingly worried about their safety, but instead of taking action or heeding the dire warnings from medical professionals, President Trump continues to downplay the threat to the citizens he swore to protect.”
Script for Doubling Down (:30):
Tarik Khan: During the coronavirus, I’ve tested hundreds of patients and I’ve diagnosed hundreds of them with COVID-19.
And I could tell that they were scared.
They know someone personally who’s died from it.
Already over 100,000 Americans have died.
From the start, we’ve been behind the eight ball because the president was not prepared.
The president keeps doubling down on his mistakes and ignoring the facts.
This crisis did not have to be as bad as it was.
Script for Outstrip (:30):
Dr. Rob Davidson: I work in a rural, small town emergency department.
We’ve been seeing more patients sick enough to be admitted where the coronavirus is the primary reason that they’re there.
It would not take very long for us to outstrip our resources.
Watching the president, it’s frustrating to me that had we had an administration and specifically a president that took this seriously earlier, we would have been able to reign this in and contain this much earlier.
Washington, DC — Today, the Department of Justice and the state of Arkansas petitioned the Supreme Court to reinstate burdensome Medicaid work requirements that were previously ruled by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals to be “arbitrary and capricious” while failing to advance the purposes of Medicaid. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:
“This move by the Trump administration is outrageous even for an administration that has completely botched the response to the coronavirus and waged a relentless war on Medicaid. These burdensome paperwork requirements are meant to boot people off the rolls, which is particularly heartless during the dual public health and economic crises facing Americans today. Rather than find ways to rip health care away from Americans during a pandemic, the Trump administration should be making health care more affordable and leading the effort to fight the virus. But given the war President Trump and his allies have waged on American health care, we won’t hold our breath waiting for them to do either one.”
POC’s Days of Action Included Groundswell of Activity Across the Nation Highlighting Trump and Republicans’ Efforts to Terminate the Affordable Care Act
On June 25, the Trump administration and Republican attorneys general filed briefs in the Supreme Court in support of their lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act, and even Fox News recognized the potential negative electoral impact for Republicans because of the lawsuit. In the days surrounding the filing, Protect Our Care launched a campaign including 12 days of action to bring attention to the dire consequences of the GOP’s reckless lawsuit that would strip coverage from 23 million Americans and 135 million with pre-existing conditions in the middle of a pandemic.
Protect Our Care’s campaign included virtual town halls, Zoom roundtables and press calls with members of Congress, state attorneys general, state legislators and health care advocates in 13 key states in the lead up to and after the Trump administration and Republicans’ filings in the case. The campaign also included 12 days of action to highlight a different aspect of the ACA while making clear what’s at stake if the Trump administration is successful in their lawsuit to overturn the law.
Protect Our Care’s Days of Action Campaign included:
Here’s a look at the events and some of the news coverage that took place surrounding the Days of Action:
ARIZONA Friday, May 8 – Press Call with Rep. Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01), Providers and Advocates Protect Our Care Arizona was joined by Congressman Tom O’Halleran, January Contreras, former Deputy County Attorney for Maricopa County and Assistant Attorney General for Arizona, and Ashley Bridwell, a brain tumor survivor and health care advocate on a press call to discuss how President Trump’s lawsuit to eliminate the Affordable Care Act would devastate Arizonans, and leave millions without access to health care in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers on the call condemned Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s support for the lawsuit, and described how health care repeal would undermine our country’s response to the pandemic. Listen to audio of the press call here.
The Copper Courier: Rep. O’Halleran Chides Trump For Continuing ACA Repeal Efforts During Pandemic
Thursday, June 25 – Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President, Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro and January Contreras Protect Our Care Arizona provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. Arizona storytellers included Alicia DeWitt, a behavioral therapist and a rare illness survivor. Alicia also lives with Addison’s disease, continues to face ongoing health struggles, and is very seriously immunocompromised; and Jeff Jeans, a throat cancer survivor who counts the passage of the ACA with saving his life.
Monday, June 29 – Press Call with Rep. Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01), Patient Advocates Protect Our Care Arizona was joined by Congressman Tom O’Halleran and health care advocates from across the state on a press call to discuss the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act,” and highlight ongoing threats to Arizonans’ health care. The call came after the Trump Administration and Republican Attorneys General filed their opening briefs to the Supreme Court as part of their lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act. You can listen to the call audio here.
COLORADO Monday, May 11– Zoom Roundtable with State Rep. Yadira Caraveo, Providers and Advocates Protect Our Care Colorado and Rocky Mountain Values were joined by Dr. Representative Yadira Caraveo and other health care experts on a virtual roundtable to discuss the latest steps in Trump’s lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and briefs filed to the Supreme Court by the House of Representatives and Democratic attorneys general opposing the lawsuit. Rep. Caraveo and roundtable participants have been active in working to protect Coloradans’ health care from this lawsuit, and described the consequences of the lawsuit for Colorado, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which now qualifies as a pre-existing condition. Watch a full recording of the roundtable here.
Thursday, June 25 – Press Conference at Senator Cory Gardner’s Office Protect Our Care Colorado was joined by health care advocates at a press conference outside Senator Cory Gardner’s office, asking him to oppose the lawsuit to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Participants also condemned Senator Gardner’s support for radical anti-health care judges appointed by President Trump, and blasted the Senator’s refusal to prioritize the needs of Coloradans over partisan politics.
Colorado Times Recorder: As Republicans Push Lawsuit to Kill Obamacare, Activists Ask, ‘Where is Gardner Now?’
KWGN (FOX 31): Health Care Advocates to Blast Gardner for Supporting Lawsuit to Repeal ACA
GEORGIA Wednesday, July 1 – Virtual Press Conference with Health Care Professionals Protect Our Care Georgia was joined by Dr. Jamie Weisman, Kate Wrammert, NP, and State Representative Dr. Jasmine Clark on a virtual press conference to discuss the latest steps in President Trump’s efforts to eliminate the ACA and contrast it with how House Democrats, including Rep. Lucy McBath, passed new legislation this week to strengthen health care by bolstering consumer protections, expanding access, and lowering costs for Americans. The event can be watched here.
IOWA Wednesday, May 6 – Press Call with IA Attorney General Tom Miller Attorney General Tom Miller joined Protect Our Care Iowa’s press call to discuss the implications of Trump’s lawsuit to repeal the ACA and why he opposes the cruel judicial tactics used by Republicans to rip health care from thousands of Iowans when they need it most. AG Miller was joined by Dr. Glenn Hurst—a physician in Minden, Iowa—and Debbie Koopman, a resident of Cedar Rapids. Listen to a recording of the call here.
Iowa Capital Dispatch: Iowa joins 19 states in brief defending ACA in U.S. Supreme Court case
Newsbreak: Iowa joins 19 states in brief defending ACA in U.S. Supreme Court case
Thursday, June 25 – Virtual Roundtable with State Sen. Claire Celsi Progress Iowa, Protect Our Care Iowa, Iowa Citizen Action Network, Iowa Voices, and Indivisible Iowa were joined by State Senator Claire Celsi and Iowans to discuss the latest steps in President Trump’s efforts to eliminate the Affordable Care Act. Speakers discussed the need to protect the Affordable Care Act, especially as it benefits thousands of Iowans. You can watch a recording of the event here.
MAINE Thursday, May 7 – Press Call with State Legislators and Advocates Protect Our Care Maine was joined by state lawmakers and health care advocates on a press call to discuss the ongoing lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act. Speakers included State Senator Heather Sanborn, a small business owner; State Representative Thom Harnett; and Marie Follyattar-Smith, a patient advocate with Mainers for Accountable Leadership. They discussed the consequences of the lawsuit for Mainers, particularly noting the importance of MaineCare and subsidies for marketplace insurance. Listen to a recording of the call here.
Wednesday, May 13 – Op-Ed by State Rep. Thom Harnett Protect Our Care Maine worked with Rep. Thom Harnett, who represents District 83 in the Maine House of Representatives, to place an op-ed in the Bangor Daily News describing how Republicans’ continued efforts to repeal the ACA are especially cruel and irresponsible amid the current pandemic.
Bangor Daily News: COVID-19 shows recklessness of lawsuit to repeal Affordable Care Act
Friday, June 26 – Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President & State Legislators Protect Our Care Maine provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. Maine storytellers included State Senator Troy Jackson, a fifth-generation logger and current State Senate President; and State Representative Anne Perry, who is also a Family Nurse Practitioner working at Calais Regional Medical Services.
Tuesday, June 30 – Press Call with State Legislators and ME Attorney General Aaron Frey Protect Our Care Maine was joined by Attorney General Aaron Frey, State Rep. Thom Harnett, and State Rep. Donna Doore on a press call to discuss the latest steps in President Trump’s efforts to eliminate the Affordable Care Act. They contrasted Republicans’ war on health care with Democrats’ efforts to expand health care, including passing a bill the night before to shore up the ACA. View the post-event release here and listen to a recording of the event here.
NewsCenterMaine: Maine’s A.G. mounts legal defense to counter President’s legal challenge of Obamacare
MICHIGAN Wednesday, May 6 – Press Call with MI Attorney General Dana Nessel Protect Our Care Michigan was joined by Attorney General Dana Nessel, Rep. Padma Kuppa (D-Troy) and Eric Schneidewind, immediate past president of AARP, on a press call to discuss the latest steps in Trump’s disastrous lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act and briefs filed to the Supreme Court by the House of Representatives and Democratic attorneys general opposing the lawsuit.
MIRS: AG Coalition Says Repeal Of ACA Could Make COVID-19 Crisis Worse
WULC Upper Michigan News: AG Nessel joins coalition of 20 states, District of Columbia in defending the ACA in US Supreme Court
Monday, May 11 – Op-Ed by David Woodward Protect Our Care Maine worked with David Woodward, Chairman of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, to place an op-ed in The Oakland Press describing how Republicans’ continued efforts to repeal the ACA are especially cruel and irresponsible amid the current pandemic.
The Oakland Press: Column: COVID-19 reminds us why Trump’s reckless health repeal lawsuit should be thrown out
Thursday, May 21 – Polling Press Call with State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud and Dr. Rob Davidson Protect Our Care and Public Policy Polling were joined on a press call by Michigan State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn, MI) and Dr. Rob Davidson of the Committee to Protect Medicare. They discussed President Trump’s response to the coronavirus crisis in Michigan and how his failures have placed Michiganders’ health and safety at risk ahead of his visit to the state. Protect Our Care also unveiled a new survey conducted with Public Policy Polling in Michigan that finds voters in Michigan disapprove of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus crisis and trust Governor Whitmer far more. Listen to the call audio here.
Thursday, June 25 – Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President, Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) and MI Attorney General Dana Nessel Protect Our Care Michigan provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. Michigan storytellers included Eric Schneidewind, Past President of Michigan AARP and current national president; Dr. Farhan Bhatti, MD, a Family Medicine Specialist in Lansing, MI; and Erich Ditschman, a National Kidney Foundation advocate.
MINNESOTA Thursday, May 13 – Press Call with MN Attorney General Keith Ellison and Andy Slavitt Protect Our Care Minnesota was joined by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Andy Slavitt, and health care advocate Jessica Intermill to discuss how President Trump’s lawsuit to eliminate the Affordable Care Act would devastate Minnesotans, and exacerbate the COVID-19 crisis. Attorney General Ellison and Former Acting Administrator Slavitt blasted the Trump administration for refusing to drop the lawsuit in light of the pandemic, and Jessica Intermill, who relies on the Affordable Care Act for access to care, explained how losing the law’s protections would leave her unable to afford the health care she needs to manage her chronic condition. Listen to the call audio here.
Fox 9 News: Minnesota AG Pushes to Preserve Obamacare Ahead of Supreme Court Fight
Wednesday, June 24 – Virtual Roundtable with Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) Protect Our Care Minnesota was joined by Representative Angie Craig, State Senator Matt Klein, and health care advocates from across Minnesota on a virtual roundtable to discuss how Democrats are working to expand and improve access to health care in Minnesota, while President Trump and Republicans work to strip Minnesotans of their health care. Participants on the call shared concerns that the Republican lawsuit to eliminate the Affordable Care Act would devastate Minnesotans, and leave many unable to access care. You can watch the roundtable here.
MONTANA Wednesday, May 20 – Press Call with Local Voices Leaders in Havre joined a press call with Protect Our Care to discuss the implications of the Trump lawsuit on Montana’s Medicaid program. State Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, Bullhook CEO Kyndra Hall, and Havre resident Andrea Melle—whose adult children benefit immensely from the Medicaid program—condemned the lawsuit and it’s disastrous effects that it could have on Montana because it would defund the state’s Medicaid expansion program. You can listen to a recording of the call here.
Havre Daily News: Havreites speak against suit to overturn Obamacare
Tuesday, June 30 – Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) Files Resolution in Support of the ACA Protect Our Care Montana issued a statement in support of Senator Jon Tester’s resolution demanding that the Department of Justice defend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in court and halt its efforts to repeal the health care protections for millions.
Wednesday, July 1 – Seniors and ACA Press Call with State Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell and Advocates Protect Our Care Montana was joined by State Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell (D – HD 47), Dr. Kris Spanjian, Judy Shannon , and Big Sky 55+ Executive Director Elizabeth Marum on a press call to discuss how Trump’s health care sabotage agenda is putting Montana seniors at increased risk during the coronavirus pandemic. Participants also discussed a new report released by Protect Our Care and the Alliance for Retired Americans on how Trump’s war on health care continues to harm seniors—especially his lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which would devastate older Americans during this crisis. You can listen to a recording of the call here.
NEVADA Thursday, May 7 – Zoom Roundtable with Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) and NV Attorney General Aaron Ford Congresswoman Susie Lee and Attorney General Aaron Ford joined Protect Our Care Nevada for a Zoom roundtable to unpack the briefs filed by attorneys general opposing Trump’s lawsuit to repeal the ACA. Nevada is one of the states opposing the lawsuit, and Attorney General Ford remarked on his office’s work fighting the lawsuit that would rip health care from hundreds of thousands of Nevadans. Watch a full recording of the roundtable here.
Monday, May 11 — Op-Ed by Dr. Mark J. Kahn, Dean of the UNLV School of Medicine Protect Our Care Nevada provided Dr. Mark J. Kahn with data on the racial disparities of how COVID-19 affects demographics in different states for an op-ed in the Las Vegas Sun. “The fact that the mortality from COVID-19 in black, Latino or Native American communities is several times that of whites is alarming. Certainly, the reasons behind these differences are not completely known and are likely in part related to genetic differences in the way different ethnic groups’ immune systems respond to the infection,” Dr. Khan wrote.
Las Vegas Sun: Op-Ed: Health care should not be a partisan issue
Thursday, June 25 – ACA Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President, NV Attorney General Aaron Ford and State Sen. Julia Ratti Protect Our Care Nevada provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. Nevada storytellers included Allison Stephens, DNC Committeewoman and health care advocate; Joseph Merlino, a cancer survivor who received life-saving cancer treatment thanks to Medicaid expansion; Mayor Daniel Corona, Mayor of West Wendover in rural Nevada; and Liz Carrasco, who was hospitalized for several days with COVID-19.
NEW HAMPSHIRE Wednesday, May 13 – Zoom Roundtable with Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), Health Care Advocates Protect Our Care New Hampshire co-hosted a Zoom roundtable with New Futures to discuss New Hampshire’s ongoing addiction crisis, especially amid coronavirus and the pending ACA repeal lawsuit. Rep. Kuster heard from health care advocates and substance use disorder experts from across the state. On the call, themes of decreased treatment access due to the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, along with the threats of the ACA lawsuit on gains New Hampshire made in health coverage and addiction treatment. Watch a full recording of the roundtable here.
Nashua Telegraph: Kuster hosts virtual roundtable focused on ACA
Wednesday, June 24 – Op-Ed in Concord Monitor Protect Our Care New Hampshire secured an op-ed, authored by state director Jayme Simoes, in the Concord Monitor about how health care will be the defining issue of the 2020 election. “The choice is between taking coverage away from millions of Americans in the middle of a pandemic versus making health care more accessible and affordable for the American people. This dichotomy will set the agenda for the November election on what most likely will be the number one issue on the minds of Granite Staters.”
Concord Monitor: My Turn: Health care is defining issue for Granite Staters in 2020
Rep. Annie Kuster Tweet on Op-Ed: “Simply put, there has never been a more important time to protect and expand Americans’ health care, and never a worse time to take it away.”
Friday, June 26 – Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President Protect Our Care New Hampshire provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. New Hampshire storytellers included Holly Stevens, the Health Policy Coordinator at New Futures and a patient with a pre-existing condition who relies on the ACA for health care coverage.
Monday, June 29 – Virtual Roundtable with Local Advocates Protect Our Care New Hampshire hosted a roundtable discussing the potential impact on Granite Staters of the Trump Administration’s recent filing to the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, Democrats like Rep Annie Kuster and Rep. Chris Pappas filed briefs opposing the lawsuit in May, and have voted to protect and expand the ACA. Watch the full roundtable here.
NORTH CAROLINA Thursday, May 7 – Press Call with NC Attorney General Josh Stein, Elena Hung and Brad Woodhouse Protect Our Care North Carolina was joined by Attorney General Josh Stein, Elena Hung, the President and Co-Founder of Little Lobbyists, and Brad Woodhouse, the Executive Director of Protect Our Care on a press call to discuss how Trump’s lawsuit to eliminate the Affordable Care Act threatens North Carolinians’ access to health care. Speakers on the call highlighted the cruelty of Trump’s refusal to drop his lawsuit during the global health crisis, and explained how Republicans like Thom Tillis have failed to protect Americans against this attack on their care. Listen to the call audio here.
Wednesday, June 24 – Virtual Roundtable with NextGen North Carolina & Health Care Advocates Protect Our Care North Carolina supported NextGen North Carolina in organizing a virtual roundtable with health care advocates from across North Carolina to discuss how Senator Thom Tillis’ attacks on health care put North Carolinians’ lives at stake. Participants urged their fellow North Carolinians to reach out to their Senator, and voice their concerns over his ongoing attacks on the Affordable Care Act, and his refusal to protect access to quality, affordable, health care. You can watch the roundtable here.
Cardinal & Pine: Thom Tillis Voted to Repeal the ACA Seven Times. He Has To Go, Healthcare Advocates Say.
Friday, June 26 – Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President Protect Our Care North Carolina provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. North Carolina storytellers included Stacy Staggs, the North Carolina Chapter Director of Little Lobbyists and a mother of two young children with complex medical needs who rely on the ACA; and DonnaMarie Woodson, a cancer survivor who credits the Affordable Care Act with saving her life.
Thursday, July 8 — Press Call with Rep. David Price (NC-04), Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse and Patient Advocates Protect Our Care North Carolina was joined by Rep. David Price, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse and patient advocates from across North Carolina on a press call to discuss the latest in President Trump’s efforts to eliminate the Affordable Care Act. On June 25, the Department of Justice and Republican-led states filed their briefs in the Supreme Court lawsuit to repeal the law and rip health care away from millions of North Carolinians. Democrats filed their briefs opposing the lawsuit in May. You can listen to a recording of the press call here.
PENNSYLVANIA Wednesday, May 6 – Zoom Roundtable with Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07) and Pennsylvania Health Action Network Protect Our Care Pennsylvania was joined by Congresswoman Susan Wild, Robin Stelly of the Pennsylvania Health Action Network (PHAN), and Leslie Dach—Chair of Protect Our Care. Speakers slammed the Trump administration for pursuing its lawsuit to repeal the Affordable Care Act in the middle of a global pandemic and highlighted the implications for rural communities in Pennsylvania if the Republican lawsuit is successful. You can watch a recording of the roundtable here.
Thursday, June 25 – Lawsuit Event with Vice President Joe Biden Protect Our Care Pennsylvania provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. Pennsylvania storytellers included Amy Raslevich, a breast cancer survivor, Pittsburgh health care advocate, and mother of two children with pre-existing conditions; Stacie Ritter, the mother of twin cancer survivors; and Victoria Salerno, whose son Cole was born with a mitochondrial disease.
WJAC-TV: Joe Biden meets with families impacted by the Affordable Care Act in Lancaster
Lancaster Online: Biden’s visit to Lancaster: Why he came here, who he met with and the dual-protesters outside
York Daily Record: Biden talks about Trump’s ‘twin legacies’ as supporters yell ‘Black Lives Matter’ outside
CBS 21: Dueling Trump-Biden events offer contrasting virus responses
WISCONSIN Wednesday, May 6 – Video Roundtable with WI Attorney General Josh Kaul and DNC Chair Tom Perez DNC Chair Tom Perez, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, and Wisconsinite Noah Reif, who has type 1 diabetes, blasted Trump’s continuing attacks on protections for people with pre-existing conditions. You can watch the full call here.
Thursday, May 14 – Zoom Press Conference with WI Attorney General Josh Kaul Attorney General Josh Kaul joined Protect Our Care Wisconsin to talk about the amicus brief that he filed with fellow attorneys general this week in opposition to the Trump lawsuit that would rip health care from hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites. The AG was joined by Zena Blom—a Wisconsinite who gained coverage under the ACA and would be penalized by insurance companies because of her pre-existing condition if the law went away. You watch a recording of the call here.
Wisconsin Examiner: Wisconsin joins brief to support Affordable Care Act before Supreme Court
CBS 58: Kaul joins brief supporting Affordable Care Act
WeAreGreenBay.com: Wisconsin AG joins others in filing brief defending Affordable Care Act
Friday, June 26 – Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President, Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) and State Rep. Robyn Vining Protect Our Care Wisconsin provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. Wisconsin storytellers included Julie B, a retired MPS teacher who has a rare autoimmune disease and relies on the ACA to help her cover daily and weekly treatment and keep insurers from implementing annual or lifetime caps on her care.
WisPolitics: Jill Biden, U.S. Sen. Harris condemn Trump administration’s efforts to overturn ACA
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kamala Harris, Jill Biden back Obamacare, warn of ‘brutal fight’ during virtual event for Milwaukee
CBS 21: Dueling Trump-Biden events offer contrasting virus responses
Raleigh, NC — Yesterday, Protect Our Care North Carolina was joined by Rep. David Price, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse, and patient advocates from across North Carolina on a press call to discuss the latest in President Trump’s efforts to eliminate the Affordable Care Act. On June 25, the Department of Justice and Republican-led states filed their briefs in the Supreme Court lawsuit to repeal the law and rip health care away from millions of North Carolinians. Democrats filed their briefs opposing the lawsuit in May. While Republicans continue to attack health care, House Democrats are working to expand access to quality, affordable health care in North Carolina and across the country. On June 29, the House of Representatives passed the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act” a landmark bill introduced and championed by House Democrats to improve health care for Americans by building on key provisions in the Affordable Care Act, including encouraging the expansion of Medicaid in states like North Carolina.
As COVID-19 cases continue to spike, it is more important than ever to protect North Carolinians’ access to health care. Dismantling the Affordable Care Act would leave communities even more vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our uninsured rate has fallen by 5% thanks to the Affordable Act,” said Congressman David Price, who is supporting the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. “We could take that even lower by expanding Medicaid. Even ruby red Oklahoma voted to expand Medicaid last week. If they can do it we can. Let’s build on our progress”
“In the middle of a global pandemic, Senator Thom Tillis is supporting a lawsuit that would completely repeal the Affordable Care Act — ripping away health care from millions,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “It’s hard for me to fathom that if you’re a North Carolina voter, that you could entrust someone like that with another six years in office.”
“We’d be bankrupt. We’d lose everything. I don’t know how we’d pay for the drugs that allow me to breathe,” said Kara Konrad, a North Carolinian who relies on the Affordable Care Act. “My son needs me alive. My husband needs me alive.”
“If it wasn’t for the Affordable Care Act, I wouldn’t be here today,” said DonnaMarie Woodson. “I am so very blessed to be a five year survivor of cancer because the Affordable Care Act allowed me to pay for it.”
You can listen to a recording of the press call here.
Washington, DC — Protect Our Care is launching a new $2 million ad campaign criticizing the Trump administration’s failed coronavirus response that put millions of Americans, especially seniors, at grave risk, and demanding that the administration do better. The campaign includes two ads:
“Left Behind,” features Tarik Khan, a RN and family nurse practitioner, talking about how President Trump’s coronavirus response has left our older adults, our most vulnerable, extremely unprotected, and that “he had a duty to protect them and that didn’t happen.”
“Ignored,” features Dr. Risha Khetarpal,talking about how President Trump is clearly not listening to the advice of medical experts, is spreading false information, and allowing for more people to die.
The ads will run in Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin, starting Wednesday on TV and connected devices, and focus on people over the age of 50.
As cases of coronavirus continue to spike around the country and the death toll tops 130,000, the ads urge the Trump administration to listen to medical experts and do more to protect Americans, particularly seniors. Both ads make clear that the coronavirus pandemic “didn’t have to be this bad.”
It is Protect Our Care’s hope that through these ads, the administration will take more serious and effective action to fight the pandemic.
“President Trump’s botched coronavirus response has been catastrophic for America, particularly for seniors who are dying unnecessarily as a result of his administration’s failures,”said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Health care workers know that President Trump’s refusal to listen to medical experts and take this crisis seriously have made the crisis far worse, put millions of Americans in imminent danger and undermined our economy. Americans are increasingly worried about their safety, but instead of taking action, President Trump continues to downplay the threat to the citizens he swore to protect.”
Tarik Khan: During the coronavirus, our older adults are most certainly being left behind.
There’s been over 100,000 Americans that have died from this.
The most people that are dying, are dying in nursing homes.
All it takes is one person to be sick for a lot of people to get ill.
The president has basically left our older adults, he’s left our most vulnerable, extremely unprotected, and he had a duty to protect them and that didn’t happen.
We have reached a critical point for the future of American health care and the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). On June 25th, Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) and Republican-led states submitted their briefs in support of California v. Texas, the lawsuit seeking to strike down the ACA. If President Trump and Republicans have their way, more than 20 million Americans will lose their insurance coverage, 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions will be stripped of their protections, and costs will go up for millions. The consequences of the lawsuit for America’s health care are particularly devastating at a time the country is gripped by the coronavirus crisis which threatens the health and safety of the entire nation.
No action would be more damaging to Americans’ health and safety than if the Trump administration achieves their desired goal of overturning the ACA in its entirety during this crisis. When the court hears this case, there will likely be no vaccine and no viable treatment for the virus. When millions of Americans have already lost health insurance due to the pandemic, it’s absurd that President Trump is arguing in court that 20 million more Americans should lose their health care. And when millions of Americans who contract the coronavirus join the 135 million Americans with a pre-existing condition, President Trump will also be arguing in court to allow insurance companies to deny them coverage or charge them more. The submission of these briefs from Republican states will put the Trump administration’s politically-motivated lawsuit on full display for the American people in front of the highest court.
Days of Action: Day 12 of 12 focuses on health care for rural Americans. To learn more about our Days of Action, visit our website.
What’s At Stake: Rural Health Care
At a time when millions of people are facing the possibility of coronavirus and devastating health care bills, protecting coverage under the Affordable Care Act is more important than ever. Overturning the ACA would be particularly devastating for rural communities, which are seeing a rise in coronavirus cases nationwide and where the law’s Medicaid expansion plays a pivotal role in supporting rural hospitals and fighting the opioid crisis.
Rural Americans Stand To Lose If The Texas Lawsuit Overturns The ACA:
Nearly 1.7 million rural Americans gained coverage through Medicaid expansion under the ACA.
24 percent of Americans living in rural areas have health coverage through Medicaid. The uninsured rate for low-income adults dropped from 35 percent to 16 percent in rural areas and small towns in states that expanded Medicaid.
Rural Americans are more likely to be uninsured than Americans living in non-rural areas.
Medicaid Is A Lifeline For Rural Hospitals:
The Affordable Care Act led to a $12 billion reduction in uncompensated care costs. Between 2013 and 2015, hospitals’ uncompensated care costs decreased by $12 billion, or roughly 30 percent. The majority of this reduction was concentrated in states that chose to expand Medicaid.
430 rural hospitals are at a high financial risk of closing. This represents roughly 21 percent of the country’s rural hospitals.
120 rural hospitals have closed since 2010. The vast majority closed in states that had not expanded Medicaid at the time of the hospital closure.
American Hospital Association, Federation Of American Hospitals, The Catholic Health Association Of The United States, And Association Of American Medical Colleges: “A Judicial Repeal Would Have Severe Consequences For America’s Hospitals, Which Would Be Forced To Shoulder The Greater Uncompensated-Care Burden That The ACA’s Repeal Would Create.” [American Hospital Association et. al, 6/14/18]
The ACA’s Medicaid Expansion Plays A Central Role In Fighting The Opioid Crisis
In 2014, Medicaid paid for 25 percent of all addiction treatment nationwide.
It is estimated that Medicaid expansion covers four in ten people with an opioid use disorder.More than half of people with an opioid use disorder earn incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty line.
Among those with opioid addiction, people covered through Medicaid are more than twice as likely as those with private insurance or no insurance to receive treatment. In 2016, 43 percent of people who had substance use disorders received treatment when they were covered through Medicaid, significantly higher than the 21 percent of those privately insured who received treatment and 23 percent of those who were uninsured and received treatment.
Medicaid expansion has reduced unmet need for substance use treatment by more than 18 percent. Recent research finds that Medicaid expanding reduced the unmet need for substance use treatment by 18.3 percent.
We have reached a critical point for the future of American health care and the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). On June 25th, Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) and Republican-led states submitted their briefs in support of California v. Texas, the lawsuit seeking to strike down the ACA. If President Trump and Republicans have their way, more than 20 million Americans will lose their insurance coverage, 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions will be stripped of their protections, and costs will go up for millions. The consequences of the lawsuit for America’s health care are particularly devastating at a time the country is gripped by the coronavirus crisis which threatens the health and safety of the entire nation.
No action would be more damaging to Americans’ health and safety than if the Trump administration achieves their desired goal of overturning the ACA in its entirety during this crisis. When the court hears this case, there will likely be no vaccine and no viable treatment for the virus. When millions of Americans have already lost health insurance due to the pandemic, it’s absurd that President Trump is arguing in court that 20 million more Americans should lose their health care. And when millions of Americans who contract the coronavirus join the 135 million Americans with a pre-existing condition, President Trump will also be arguing in court to allow insurance companies to deny them coverage or charge them more. The submission of these briefs from Republican states will put the Trump administration’s politically-motivated lawsuit on full display for the American people in front of the highest court.
Days of Action: Day 11 of 12 focuses on individual marketplace coverage and financial assistance for families. To learn more about our Days of Action, visit our website.
What’s At Stake: Marketplace Signups & Financial Assistance
At a time when millions of people are facing the possibility of coronavirus and devastating health care bills, protecting coverage under the ACA is more important than ever. Before the ACA, individual market insurance was out of reach for millions due to pre-existing condition exclusions, coverage loopholes, and skyrocketing premiums. Now, 9 million people benefit from premium tax credits to help lower their health care costs, and everyone purchasing insurance through the marketplaces can have peace of mind knowing they have comprehensive coverage.
Thanks To The ACA:
GAINED: Protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions.
GAINED: Medicaid expansion, which covers 16 million people.
GAINED: Nearly 12 million seniors pay less for prescription drugs.
GAINED: 2.3 million adult children are able to stay on their parents’ insurance.
GAINED: Three million children nationwide gained coverage.
GAINED: Insurance companies are banned from charging women 50 percent more than men.
GAINED: Financial assistance that helps 9 million people purchase health care in the marketplace.
GAINED: Key support for rural hospitals.
GAINED: Ban on insurance companies having lifetime caps on coverage.
GAINED: Requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care.
The ACA’s marketplaces are already serving as an important safety net as the country continues to battle the pandemic: CMS data revealed nearly half a million people enrolled in ACA coverage by May, representing a 46 percent increase in enrollment from the same period last year. Per a brief recently filed in support of the ACA by 220 public health experts, the American Public Health Association, and the American Academy of Nursing: “COVID-19 has made clear that a population-wide means of delivering preventive and diagnostic medical treatment is essential to the health of Americans—and to the health of the American economy. The ACA is the only legislation that fills that important void right now, and it cannot lightly be discarded.”
If The Texas Lawsuit Succeeds, The Individual Marketplace And Financial Assistance That Helps Individuals Purchase Health Insurance Will Be Eliminated:
11 million people with comprehensive insurance through the ACA marketplace could lose their coverage. Without the ACA, more than 11 million people nationwide enrolled in the individual marketplace could lose coverage.
Nine million people in the marketplaces would pay more for coverage. Nearly 9 million people would lose financial assistance that helps them purchase health care in the marketplace. In 2019, the average monthly premium tax credit was $514.
Thanks To The Republican Lawsuit, 23 Million People Could Lose Their Coverage:
Before the pandemic, the Urban Institute estimated 19.9 million people could lose coverage by repealing the Affordable Care Act, meaning the number of uninsured Americans would increase from 30.4 million to 50.3 million, representing a leading to a 65 percent increase in the uninsured rate. As the uninsured rate swells, so will the amount of uncompensated care, which Urban predicts will grow by at least 82 percent.
Now, in light of the devastating impact of the coronavirus crisis, the Center for American Progress estimates that at least 3 million additional people could lose coverage. CAP estimates that 23 million people stand to lose coverage if the ACA is overturned in court.
Millions of 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.
The Black uninsured rate would nearly double. If the ACA is overturned, the uninsured rate among Black Americans would spike from 11 percent to 20 percent.
More than 5 million Latinos would 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 Families USA, 5.4 million Latinos would lose coverage if the lawsuit succeeds in overturning the ACA.
We have reached a critical point for the future of American health care and the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). On June 25th, Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) and Republican-led states submitted their briefs in support of California v. Texas, the lawsuit seeking to strike down the ACA. If President Trump and Republicans have their way, more than 20 million Americans will lose their insurance coverage, 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions will be stripped of their protections, and costs will go up for millions. The consequences of the lawsuit for America’s health care are particularly devastating at a time the country is gripped by the coronavirus crisis which threatens the health and safety of the entire nation.
No action would be more damaging to Americans’ health and safety than if the Trump administration achieves their desired goal of overturning the ACA in its entirety during this crisis. When the court hears this case, there will likely be no vaccine and no viable treatment for the virus. When millions of Americans have already lost health insurance due to the pandemic, it’s absurd that President Trump is arguing in court that 20 million more Americans should lose their health care. And when millions of Americans who contract the coronavirus join the 135 million Americans with a pre-existing condition, President Trump will also be arguing in court to allow insurance companies to deny them coverage or charge them more. The submission of these briefs from Republican states will put the Trump administration’s politically-motivated lawsuit on full display for the American people in front of the highest court.
Days of Action: Day 10 of 12 focuses on health care for Hispanic and Latino Americans. To learn more about our Days of Action, visit our website.
What’s At Stake: Coverage for Latinos
The ACA helped reduce longstanding racial disparities in coverage rates, improving health care access for communities of color across the board. Destroying the ACA would be especially harmful as the country is still reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, which has disproportionately impacted Latino communities nationwide.
Latinos Stand To Lose If The ACA Is Overturned. 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 fromFamilies USA, 5.4 million Latinos would lose coverage if the Texas lawsuit succeeds in overturning the ACA.
Repealing Medicaid Expansion Would Disproportionately Harm Latinos. After the implementation of the ACA, gaps in insurance coverage narrowed the most in states that adopted Medicaid expansion. Attacks on Medicaid hurt Latinos, who make up 30 percent of total Medicaid enrollees while only accounting for 18.3 percent of the U.S. population.
Research Confirms That The ACA Improved Health Care Access For Hispanic And Latino Communities:
Commonwealth Fund Study Found That The ACA’s Medicaid Expansion Has Been Key To Improving Racial Equity In Health Insurance Coverage And Access To Care. “Uninsured rates for blacks, Hispanics, and whites declined in both expansion and nonexpansion states between 2013 and 2018. In addition, disparities in coverage between whites and blacks and Hispanics also narrowed over that time period in both sets of states… People living in Medicaid expansion states benefited the most in terms of coverage gains. All three groups reported lower uninsured rates in expansion states compared to nonexpansion states, and larger coverage improvements between 2013 and 2018. Coverage disparities in expansion states narrowed the most over the period, even though the disparities were smaller to begin with. The black–white coverage gap in those states dropped from 8.4 percentage points to 3.7 points, while the difference between Hispanic and white uninsured rates fell from 23.2 points to 12.7 points.” [Commonwealth Fund,1/16/20]
Commonwealth Fund: The Hispanic-White Disparity In Cost-Related Access Problems Narrowed From 12.7 Percentage Points In 2013 To 8.3 Points In 2018. “Cost-related access problems among Hispanic adults fell from 27.8 percent to 21.2 percent, while those reported by whites dropped from 15.1 percent to 12.9 percent. As a result, differences narrowed between white adults and black and Hispanic adults in cost-related access problems. The black–white disparity shrank from 8.1 percentage points in 2013 to 4.7 points in 2018, while the Hispanic–white difference fell from 12.7 points to 8.3 points.” [Commonwealth Fund,1/16/20]
Washington Post: ACA Linked To Reduced Racial Disparities, Earlier Diagnosis And Treatment In Cancer Care. “Proponents of the embattled Affordable Care Act got additional ammunition Sunday: New research links the law to a reduction in racial disparities in the care of cancer patients and to earlier diagnoses and treatment of ovarian cancer, one of the most dangerous malignancies. According to researchers involved in the racial-disparity study, before the ACA went into effect, African Americans with advanced cancer were 4.8 percentage points less likely to start treatment for their disease within 30 days of being given a diagnosis. But today, black adults in states that expanded Medicaid under the law have almost entirely caught up with white patients in getting timely treatment, researchers said. Another study showed that after implementation of the law, ovarian cancer was diagnosed at earlier stages and that more women began treatment within a month. The speedier diagnoses and treatment were likely to have increased patients’ chances of survival, the researchers said.” [Washington Post, 6/2/19]
Georgetown University Center For Children And Families: “…Medicaid Expansion Is An Important Means of Addressing Persistent Racial Disparities In Maternal Health And Maternal Mortality.” “New research shows states that expand Medicaid improve the health of women of childbearing age: increasing access to preventive care, reducing adverse health outcomes before, during and after pregnancies, and reducing maternal mortality rates. While more must be done, Medicaid expansion is an important means of addressing persistent racial disparities in maternal health and maternal mortality. The uninsured rate for women of childbearing age is nearly twice as high in states that have not expanded Medicaid compared to those that have expanded Medicaid (16 percent v. 9 percent).” [Georgetown University Center for Children and Families,May 2019]
If The ACA Is Overturned, 5.4 Million Latinos Would Lose Coverage:
Coverage losses incurred by overturning the ACA would be devastating for Latinos and reverse the significant gains in health care access made by the law.
Vox: Overturning The ACA Would Cause “A Dramatic Spike” In Uninsurance Among Hispanic People. “Everything would go: protections for preexisting conditions, subsidies that help people purchase insurance, the Medicaid expansion…States that expanded Medicaid would get the worst of it: Urban projected their uninsured rates would nearly double if the law were overturned. The uninsured rate for black Americans would increase from 11 percent today to 20 percent without Obamacare; there would also be a dramatic spike in uninsurance among Hispanics.” [Vox, 3/2/20]
5.4 Million Latinos Would Lose Coverage If The ACA Is Overturned. “Plaintiffs in Texas v. United States are asking the courts to overturn the Affordable Care Act (ACA). A judicial repeal of this significant domestic policy legislation would cause tremendous harm, including the loss of health insurance for millions of Latinos. As the ethnic group most likely to work in jobs without health benefits, Latinos experienced enormous coverage gains under the ACA’s expansion of Medicaid and creation of premium tax credits (PTCs) for private coverage…According to the Urban Institute, if Texas v. United States leads to the ACA’s repeal, 5.4 million Latinos would lose their health insurance.” [Families USA, June 2019]
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