June 2021

Last week, in an 7-2 ruling in California v. Texas, the Supreme Court delivered a massive repudiation of the Republican war on health care. By throwing the lawsuit out on standing, the court protected the health care coverage of more than 20 million Americans and prevented more than 135 million people with pre-existing conditions from losing the protections they rely on, and many other key ACA provisions. The lawsuit was former President Trump and his Republican allies’ last-ditch effort to dismantle the ACA after they failed to do so in Congress. 

The court’s decision to affirm the ACA should mean the end of the road for Republicans’ relentless attacks on the law. Press coverage makes clear that the ruling creates momentum for President Biden and the Democratic majorities in Congress’ to build on the ACA to further expand coverage, lower costs, and reduce disparities in care.   

To celebrate the victory for millions of American families and hold Republicans accountable for their attack on health care, Protect Our Care hosted a national press call and events in Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin last week.

NATIONAL

The Hill: Supreme Court Upholds ObamaCare In 7-2 Ruling. “’The Supreme Court Has Spoken: The Affordable Care Act Is the Law of the Land,’ was the title of a statement from the Democratic group Protect Our Care, founded to fight GOP repeal efforts in 2017. The decision ‘brings to an ignominious close a decade of Republican attacks on American health care,’ the group said.” [The Hill, 6/17/21]

New York Times: Republicans Wave The White Flag On Health Care (for Now). “‘Hopefully, this will be the end of the line,’ said Brad Woodhouse, the executive director of the liberal group Protect Our Care and one of many Democrats who took a victory lap after the Supreme Court’s ruling on Thursday. ‘If Republicans continue to do this, they are likely to continue to lose elections on this issue’.” [New York Times, 6/18/21]

NBC News: Supreme Court Ruling on Obamacare Brings Relief, Hope to Patients. “Leslie Dach, who was a senior counselor at the Department of Health and Human Services during the Obama administration, founded the liberal group Protect Our Care to defend the law’s public image and fight the many legal challenges against it. He said that the group will continue the efforts but that it is refocusing its energies to push to make the American Rescue Plan subsidies permanent, create a federal solution to expand Medicaid in resistant states and lower the price of drugs. ‘We’ve been arguing for this agenda, as have others, because we have this once-in-a-decade opportunity to move forward,’ Dach said, ‘but this now clears the path and hopefully puts the wind in the back of those sails’.” [NBC, 6/17/21]

Axios: The Obamacare Wars End In A Whimper. “Democrats have shifted the health care debate toward bigger, more direct forms of government coverage, and Republicans — still without much of a platform of their own — have in turn channeled their energy into attacking Medicare for All, rather than the ACA.” [Axios, 6/18/21]

Politico: Obamacare Now Appears Safe. The Battle Over Its Future Continues. “The ruling will give new energy to Democratic efforts to build on Obamacare, through richer insurance subsidies and potentially a public option.” [Politico, 6/17/21]

The Hill: ‘It’s Still A BFD’: Democrats Applaud Ruling Upholding ObamaCare. “Health experts have recently noted that the policy has proved to be a substantial resource for Americans who lost health care coverage amid job losses during the coronavirus pandemic. The Biden administration announced recently that a total of 31 million Americans were covered under ObamaCare.” [The Hill, 6/17/21]

The Hill: Five Takeaways On The Supreme Court’s Obamacare Decision. “With the ACA further entrenched, and control of the House, Senate and White House, Democrats are looking at ways to build on the health law. Allowing the government to negotiate lower drug prices also could make it into the package.” [The Hill, 6/17/21]

NBC: What Now? Congress Eyes New Era Of Health Policy After Obamacare Survives. “Progressive Democrats are pushing to use President Joe Biden’s economic package to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and to expand the program by lowering the eligibility age to less than 65 and adding benefits like dental care, eyeglasses and hearing aids.” [NBC, 6/17/21]

CNN (Video): Obamacare Has Survived Over 2000 Attempts To Kill It. “CNN’s John Avlon looks at the many hurdles that the Affordable Care Act has had to overcome. Despite all the attempts to repeal it, the latest Supreme Court ruling saved it again, the ACA remains the law.” [CNN, 6/17/21]

AP News: GOP Needs New Health Care Target; ‘Obamacare’ Survives Again. “Thursday’s 7-2 ruling was the third time the court has rebuffed major GOP challenges to former President Barack Obama’s prized health care overhaul. Stingingly for Republicans, the decision emerged from a bench dominated 6-3 by conservative-leaning justices, including three appointed by President Donald Trump.” [AP News, 6/18/21]

The Pink Report News. Obama Brags About Supreme Court Ruling – ‘The Affordable Care Act Is Here To Stay’. “The Democratic group Protect Our Care, which was founded to fight GOP repeal efforts in 2017, was quick to celebrate the ruling. ‘The Supreme Court Has Spoken: The Affordable Care Act Is the Law of the Land,” the group said, adding that the decision “brings to an ignominious close a decade of Republican attacks on American health care’.” [The Pink Report News, 6/18/21]

ARIZONA

Gila Herald: O’Halleran Issues Statement Regarding Supreme Court Ruling in Favor of ACA. “‘Today, in a 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court delivered a massive repudiation on the Republican war on health care…By throwing the lawsuit out on standing, the court protected the health care coverage of more than 20 million Americans and prevented more than 135 million people with pre-existing conditions from losing the protections they rely on, and many other key ACA provisions.’” [Gila Herald, 6/17/21]

ABC 15: U.S. Supreme Court Upholds the Affordable Care Act, Third Time a Republican-led Challenge Has Failed. “Other provisions of the A.C.A. like parents being able to keep their children on their health insurance until the age of 26, and either drop or require people with pre-existing conditions to pay more. ‘The U.S. Supreme Court has really had the back of the opponents of A.C.A.’ said Humble.” [ABC 15, 6/17/21]

FLORIDA

Florida Politics: Nikki Fried, Lori Berman Slam Ashley Moody’s Failed Obamacare Challenge. “The high court, in a 7-2 decision, contended that a collection of states, including Florida, lacked standing to challenge the law. Fried, on a press call for the pro-ACA group Protect Our Care, hailed the decision, and castigated Attorney General Ashley Moody for what she called a ‘shameful’ choice to join the challenge to the Obama-era health care law.” [Florida Politics, 6/17/21]

The Palm Beach Post: Florida Democrats Hail Supreme Court Obamacare Ruling That Deals GOP Defeat. “A years-long legal battle waged against the Affordable Care Act by Republican leaders in states such as Florida ended in a resounding defeat Thursday. The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 against a legal challenge filed by the Trump administration to void the law. Instead, the high court left the law, known broadly as Obamacare, intact and in place. Florida Democrats, who have long railed against efforts to strike down the law in the courts, hailed the victory.” [The Palm Beach Post, 6/17/21]

WUSF Public Media: Florida Democrats, ACA Advocates Embrace Supreme Court Ruling. “The high court on Thursday rejected a challenge by Florida and 17 other states to the Affordable Care Act, leaving intact the law that has helped more than 2 million Floridians obtain subsidized health insurance this year.” [WUSF Public Media, 6/18/21]

WMFE: Florida Leads U.S. In People Insured By Obamacare Plans. “More than 2 million Florida residents have gotten subsidized health insurance through the federal marketplace at healthcare.gov. Florida has the most people enrolled in these plans in the US….The court has upheld the law three times.” [WMFE, 6/18/21]

OHIO

Gongwer Ohio: Ohioans Weigh In After High Court Again Allows Obamacare To Stand. “The nation’s highest court on Thursday declined for the third time to strike down the Affordable Care Act. In a 7-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court found several Republican attorneys general and two individuals that filed the lawsuit seeking to have the health care law deemed unconstitutional in its entirety lacked standing.” [Gongwer Ohio, 6/17/21]

NBC4 Columbus: Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Obamacare. “The justices, by a 7-2 vote, left the entire law intact Thursday in ruling that Texas, other Republican-led states and two individuals had no right to bring their lawsuit in federal court.” [NBC4 Columbus, 6/17/21]

WEST VIRGINIA

Metro News: US Supreme Court Upholds ‘Obamacare’ in GOP-led Challenge. “The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a third challenge to former President Barack Obama’s health care law, ruling 18 Republican states — including West Virginia — and individual plaintiffs lacked standing in their legal efforts.” [Metro News, 6/17/21]

West Virginia Public Broadcasting: U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act, a Loss For W.Va.’s Attorney Gen. “The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a case seeking to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Eighteen Republican-led states, including West Virginia, signed on to a case to get rid of the ACA.” [West Virginia Public Broadcasting, 6/17/21]

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin Examiner: Relief, Applause Greets Supreme Court Ruling That Leaves ACA Intact. “Wisconsin officials and health care activists welcomed the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling Thursday that upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA), keeping in place the 11-year-old law that has expanded access to health insurance. The court ruled 7-2 that the plaintiffs had no right to bring the case.” [Wisconsin Examiner, 6/18/21]

UpNorthNews: Supreme Court Upholds Obamacare Again, Saving Health Coverage for 2.4 Million in Wisconsin. “The suit sought to invalidate the entire law based on the law’s individual insurance mandate, which previously carried a tax penalty for uninsured people. Congress lowered the penalty to $0 in 2018. The Supreme Court rejected the challenge on a 7-2 vote, with Trump-appointed justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett joining the majority.” [UpNorthNews, 6/17/21]

Today, the Supreme Court delivered a massive repudiation to the Republican war on health care by throwing California v. Texas, the Trump-backed lawsuit seeking to overturn the Affordable Care Act, out on standing. Statements from Democratic leaders and health care advocates make clear that the decision to affirm the ACA only increases the momentum behind President Biden’s and Democrats as they work to deliver on their health care agenda that voters across the political spectrum support. Now is the time to build on the ACA to lower health care and drug costs, increase coverage, and reduce disparities in health care. 

President Joe Biden: It Is Time To Move Forward And Keep Building On This Landmark Law. “After more than a decade of attacks on the Affordable Care Act through the Congress and the courts, today’s decision – the third major challenge to the law that the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected – it is time to move forward and keep building on this landmark law.” [6/17/21]

Former President Barack Obama: Now We Need To Build On The Affordable Care Act And Continue To Strengthen And Expand It. “Today, the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act. Again. This ruling reaffirms what we have long known to be true: the Affordable Care Act is here to stay. The principle of universal coverage has been established, and 31 million people now have access to care through the law we passed—with millions more who can no longer be denied coverage or charged more because of a preexisting condition. Now we need to build on the Affordable Care Act and continue to strengthen and expand it. That’s what Biden has done through the American Rescue Plan, giving more families the peace of mind they deserve.” [6/17/21]

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: Democrats Will Continue Our Work To Build On The Transformational Progress Of The Affordable Care Act And Make Permanent The Measures In The American Rescue Plan To Dramatically Lower The Cost Of Health Insurance Premiums. “More than one million Americans have signed up for affordable health coverage through the ACA Special Enrollment Period that President Biden opened earlier this year. Now, Democrats will continue our work to build on the transformational progress of the Affordable Care Act and make permanent the measures in the American Rescue Plan to dramatically lower the cost of health insurance premiums for people who purchase coverage on their own. For The People, we will lower health costs and prescription drug prices for all Americans.” [6/17/21]

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: The ACA Is Here To Stay. And Now, We’re Going To Try To Make It Bigger And Better—Establish, Once And For All, Affordable Health Care As A Basic Right Of Every American Citizen. “Ever since Democrats passed the Affordable Care Act—expanding health coverage and access to tens of millions of Americans—we have had to fight tooth and nail to preserve the law from partisan Republican attacks. For more than a decade, the assault on our health care law was relentless, from Republicans in Congress, from the executive branch itself, and from Republican attorneys general in the courts. In a landmark vote, we in the Senate prevented the Republicans from repealing the ACA in 2017. Each time, in each arena, the Affordable Care Act has prevailed. And once again today, the United States Supreme Court, in a 7-2 ruling, upheld the Affordable Care Act in the face of another legal challenge. So let me say definitively: the Affordable Care Act has won. The Supreme Court has just ruled: the ACA is here to stay. And now, we’re going to try to make it bigger and better—establish, once and for all, affordable health care as a basic right of every American citizen. What a day.” [6/17/21]

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra: Now We Can Build On The Affordable Care Act By Implementing The Investments That President Biden Has Made In America’s Health With The American Rescue Plan And Through The Expanded Special Enrollment Period. “I will continue to stand up and stand with you to protect access to affordable health care. The COVID-19 public health emergency has underscored the importance of safeguarding this life-saving law and it is only fitting that the Supreme Court recognized its lawfulness. Now we can build on the Affordable Care Act by implementing the investments that President Biden has made in America’s health with the American Rescue Plan and through the expanded Special Enrollment Period. Every American should have access to the tools they need to lead healthy, full lives.” [6/17/21]

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair Of HELP Committee: We Must Seize This Opportunity To Build On Past Progress In Health Care With Bold Solutions.” “With this existential threat to the health coverage and protections so many people rely on finally put to rest, and a President who actually believes health care should be a right not a privilege finally back in the White House—we must seize this opportunity to build on past progress in health care with bold solutions. We need to bring down costs for patients and move toward universal coverage, and I plan to work with President Biden and my colleagues on bold steps to do just that—like empowering Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, expanding eligibility for Medicare to more people, making the premium tax credit increases in the American Rescue Plan permanent, and establishing a public option to allow all families to get quality, affordable coverage.” [6/17/21]

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chair Of Finance Committee: It Is My Hope That Moving Forward We Can Trade Litigation for Innovation and Come Together Around the Idea That Every American Should Have Quality, Affordable Health Care. “The Supreme Court affirmed today that health insurance is not just for the healthy and wealthy and that denying coverage to those who need it most has no place in the United States. I think it is unfortunate that instead of looking for ways to better guarantee health care for their citizens, some states have focused only on repealing a law that would have guaranteed additional care. I authored Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act to give states who think they can do better than the federal government the ability to innovate their own state-based health solutions and even opt out of the federal individual mandate. It is my hope that moving forward we can trade litigation for innovation and come together around the idea that every American should have quality, affordable health care.” [6/17/21]

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chair Of Aging Committee: It’s Time To Make The Changes In The American Rescue Plan Permanent And Build On The Affordable Care Act To Expand Coverage And Bring Down Costs For Working Families. “Republicans in Congress and far right Attorneys General have once again failed in their attempt to rip health care away from millions of Americans and decimate Medicaid. It’s past time for those Republicans who keep bringing these frivolous lawsuits finally to stop these attacks on affordable health care. It’s time to make the changes in the American Rescue Plan permanent and build on the Affordable Care Act to expand coverage and bring down costs for working families.” [6/17/21]

U.S. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Chair Of Energy And Commerce Committee: Now That The Case Is Settled, Our Focus Must Return To Building On The ACA By Lowering Health Care Costs And Expanding Access To Care To The Millions Of Americans Who Still Lack Coverage. “The stakes could not have been higher in this case. If the Supreme Court had overturned the ACA, tens of millions of Americans would have lost their health coverage in the middle of a pandemic and up to 130 million Americans would have lost their protections for pre-existing conditions overnight. Now that the case is settled, our focus must return to building on the ACA by lowering health care costs and expanding access to care to the millions of Americans who still lack coverage. The American Rescue Plan made a historic down payment on these goals and now Congress must build on that progress by making the expanded premium assistance permanent, expanding Medicaid coverage to those who lack access through no fault of their own, and reining in the soaring cost of prescription drugs.” [6/17/21]

U.S. Representative Richard Neal (D-MA-01), Chair Of Ways And Means Committee: We Will Also Continue Fighting To Ensure That Every American Has Access To High-Quality, Affordable Health Care. “Over the years, Republicans have relentlessly attacked and sabotaged the ACA, all while failing to offer any alternative plan to provide Americans with comparable access to coverage. Meanwhile, Democrats have never stopped working to build on the law and deliver even lower health care costs for working families. Just this past year, as part of the Ways and Means Committee’s provisions in the American Rescue Plan, we led the first major expansion of ACA subsidies in more than a decade, giving Americans an even greater sense of security during this time of immense hardship. Our progress has been substantial, but our work is far from done. Not only will Ways and Means Democrats defend against any future Republican attempts to upend our nation’s health care system, but we will also continue fighting to ensure that every American has access to high-quality, affordable health care.” [6/17/21]

U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Chair Of Education and Labor Committee: I Will Not Only Continue To Protect These Lifesaving Protections From Partisan Attacks, But We Will Also Work To Expand Access And Reduce Costs. “As we continue to confront the worst public health emergency in recent history, our first priority must be to protect Americans’ health and wellbeing. This frivolous legal challenge – brought by a group of Republican Attorneys General and supported by the Trump administration – is the latest example of Republicans’ relentless effort to sabotage and dismantle our nation’s health care system. My colleagues and I will not only continue to protect these lifesaving protections from partisan attacks, but we will also work to expand access and reduce costs. Our goal is to ensure that every American has access to high-quality, affordable health care.” [6/17/21]

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT): Now, We Have To Move Forward And Ensure All Americans Have Access To Affordable, High-Quality Health Care. “Today’s ruling is a huge victory for the millions of Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for protections and coverage. And it should settle the debate once for all—the ACA is the law of the land, and Republicans need to end their relentless attacks on our health care system. Now, we have to move forward and ensure all Americans have access to affordable, high-quality health care. And letting any individual or business buy into Medicare is a popular, effective and fast way to do this. I’m going to be pushing my colleagues in Congress to get this done.” [6/17/21]

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI): Let’s Get To Work To Expand Access To Quality, Affordable Coverage, Lower Prescription Drug Costs, And Take Meaningful Steps To Address Racial Disparities In Health Outcomes. “The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, despite all the attempts to repeal it. Now, let’s get to work to expand access to quality, affordable coverage, lower prescription drug costs, and take meaningful steps to address racial disparities in health outcomes.” [6/17/21]

U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14): Now Is The Time To Strengthen [The ACA]. We Must Make My Health Care Affordability Act Permanent, So Americans Have Access To The Quality, Affordable Care They Deserve. “Since the Affordable Care Act was passed, Republicans have worked breathlessly to repeal the law and take health care away from millions of Americans who depend on it. Today, once again, the Supreme Court upheld the ACA as the law of the land. The Affordable Care Act is protecting a record number of Americans—now is the time to strengthen it. We must make my Health Care Affordability Act permanent, so Americans have access to the quality, affordable care they deserve.” [6/17/21]

U.S. Representative Colin Allred (D-TX-32): Now It’s Time To Get To Work To Improve Our Health Care System For Everyone. “I’ve been working hard to stop the sabotage of the ACA since day one. This decision by the Supreme Court is a win for our country and a sigh of relief for those who depend on it. Now it’s time to get to work to improve our health care system for everyone.” [6/17/21]

Mary Kay Henry, SEIU President: Now It Is Time To Finally Turn The Page Once And For All. Instead Of Trying To Take Healthcare Away From Tens Of Millions Of People, Republican Members Of Congress Need To Join Efforts That Will Make Healthcare More Affordable And Accessible. “Now it is time to finally turn the page once and for all. Instead of trying to take healthcare away from tens of millions of people, Republican members of Congress need to join efforts that will make healthcare more affordable and accessible. That means working across the aisle to address the overlapping health, economic and racial crises working people are facing with Black, brown and indigenous communities.” [6/17/21]

Maura Calsyn, Center For American Progress Acting Vice President Of Health Policy: It’s Time For Our Leaders To Work Together To Build On The Law—Not Take It Away— By, Among Other Reforms, Creating An Affordable Coverage Option For People In The Medicaid Gap, Lowering Prescription Drug Prices; Combating Racial Disparities In The Health Care System; And Addressing The Mental Health Crisis Brought To The Fore By The Covid-19 Pandemic. “The ACA provides coverage for 31 million Americans and has improved the health and financial security for tens of millions of people with preexisting conditions. After more than a decade of lawsuits, it is still standing and stronger than ever thanks to the American Rescue Plan and President Joe Biden’s decisive leadership. It’s time for our leaders to work together to build on the law—not take it away— by, among other reforms, creating an affordable coverage option for people in the Medicaid gap, lowering prescription drug prices; combating racial disparities in the health care system; and addressing the mental health crisis brought to the fore by the COVID-19 pandemic.” [6/17/21]

Mara Youdelman, National Health Law Program Managing Attorney: We Have The Opportunity To Build On The ACA’s Successes And Strengthen It To Make Health Care More Affordable And Accessible. “The ACA has been the law of the land for over a decade, and it has been an incredible force for good in the United States. At the same time, we need to look forward. We have the opportunity to build on the ACA’s successes and strengthen it to make health care more affordable and accessible. We appreciate the first steps Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration took to reduce costs for marketplace plans. Yet deep health inequities and systematic racism continue to exist, and we must act now to address them. Inaction is not an option. [6/17/21]

Anushka Sarkar, Health Care Voter Spokesperson: We Hope To Continue the Momentum From This Decision In An Effort To Make Sure Every American Has High-Quality Health Care Coverage. “Today’s Supreme Court decision strengthens the viability of the Affordable Care Act more than 11 years after its passage. While the fight for affordable and accessible health care is not over, we hope to continue the momentum from this decision in an effort to make sure every American has high-quality health care coverage. We’ve already seen this administration take steps in that direction by reopening the health care marketplace and expanding subsidies as we continue to fight the pandemic. With this decision, we hope Republicans will end their dangerous political games and finally acknowledge that giving people health care is a good thing.” [6/17/21]

Margarida Jorge, Health Care For America Now Executive Director: Congress Must Continue To Build On The ACA, Starting With Closing The Medicaid Coverage Gap And Making Permanent The Affordability Increases In The ACA’s Premium Tax Credits Passed Under The American Rescue Plan. “Despite today’s ruling, there’s still a lot of work to ensure everyone in America can get access to affordable health care. Congress must continue to build on the ACA, starting with closing the Medicaid coverage gap and making permanent the affordability increases in the ACA’s premium tax credits passed under the American Rescue Plan.” [6/17/21]

Experts Explain What Today’s Resounding Decision to Uphold the ACA Means for Millions of Families Nationwide

Historic Victory for the American People a Final Repudiation of Trump-Republican War on Health Care

Listen to the Call Here

Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and Supreme Court expert Andy Pincus joined Protect Our Care to react to the Supreme Court decision in California v. Texas, the Trump-Republican lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act. In an 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court delivered a massive repudiation to the Republican war on health care. By throwing the Trump-backed lawsuit out on standing, the court protected the health care coverage of more than 20 million Americans, prevented more than 135 million people with pre-existing conditions from losing the protections they rely on, and reaffirmed dozens of other important provisions of the landmark health care law. 

Today’s decision should mean the end of the road for Republicans’ endless attacks on the law and increases the momentum behind President Biden’s and the Democratic majorities in Congress to deliver on their health care agenda: building on the ACA to lower health care and drug costs, increase coverage, and reduce disparities in health care. 

“Republicans in Congress and far right Attorneys General have once again failed in their attempt to rip health care away from millions of Americans and decimate Medicaid,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA). “It’s past time for those Republicans who keep bringing these frivolous lawsuits finally to stop these attacks on affordable health care. It’s time to make the changes in the American Rescue Plan permanent and build on the Affordable Care Act to expand coverage and bring down costs for working families.”

“It’s a very important day for Americans,” said former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “We’re in the middle of open enrollment, and what we know is more people than ever before are signing up — reaffirming the importance of both the marketplaces across this country and Medicaid expansion. The ACA has transformed the lives of over 31 million people. I think that the decision today will give confidence to folks who may have been hesitant that they should indeed take advantage of the wonderful improvements made to the ACA in the Biden administration. I hope we all roll up our sleeves and from now until August 15 make sure we get the word out loud clearly that the ACA is very much alive and well. This is a very, very good day.” 

“For the third time, the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act and its protections for millions of Americans. First the court upheld the law 5-4, then 6-3, and now 7-2 – making clear that the ACA is the law of the land,” said Supreme Court expert Andy Pincus. “The bottom line here is that the Court’s decision sends a clear message that the ACA is alive and well. The time for legal challenges for the Affordable Care Act is over.” 

“Today’s decision proves what legal experts and scholars have warned from the beginning: this was a bogus lawsuit driven by nothing other than Republicans’ animosity for affordable health care. Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers have been relentless in their quest to overturn the ACA, and when they failed to do so in Congress, they turned to this illegitimate effort to rip health care away from tens of millions of Americans,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Once and for all, Republicans can put their war on health care to rest. The ACA is here to stay.” 

“Today marks a historic victory for the American people. Once again, the Supreme Court has ruled that the ACA is the law of the land — a final repudiation of the Republican war on health care. Repeal is dead, the ACA is widely popular, and people are relying on the law now more than ever,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Now 31 million people can rest knowing that their health care is protected, and President Biden and Congress can work to meet the demands of voters across the political spectrum to build on the law by lowering costs, expanding coverage, and reducing racial inequities in care.” 

ME AG Aaron Frey, WI AG Josh Kaul, and FL Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried to Discuss What Today’s Resounding Decision to Uphold the ACA Means for Millions of Families Nationwide

Today, Protect Our Care will host four press calls with elected officials and health care advocates in Florida, Georgia, Maine, and Wisconsin to react to the Supreme Court decision in California v. Texas, the Trump-Republican lawsuit to overturn the ACA. Today, in an 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court delivered a massive repudiation of the Republican war on health care. By throwing the lawsuit out on standing, the court protected the health care coverage of more than 20 million Americans and prevented more than 135 million people with pre-existing conditions from losing the protections they rely on, and many other key ACA provisions. 

The decision to affirm the ACA should mean the end of the road for Republicans’ endless attacks on the law and increases the momentum behind President Biden’s and the Democratic majorities in Congress to deliver on their health care agenda that voters elected them to enact. 

FLORIDA

WHO:
Florida Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried
State Sen. Lori Berman
Dr. Bernard Ashby, Miami cardiologist and state lead for the Committee to Protect Medicare
Michelle Garcia, health care advocate

WHERE: Dial-In: 877-229-8493, PIN: 120558

WHEN: Thursday, June 17 at 2:00 PM ET

GEORGIA

WHO:
State Rep. Erik Allen
Whitney Riggs, Georgians for a Healthy Future
Cindy Pursley, retired CPA who is a three time cancer survivor and relies on the ACA for health insurance

WHERE: Dial In: 877-229-8493; Pin: 118421

WHEN: Thursday, June 17 at 2:00 PM ET

MAINE

WHO:
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey
State Sen. Heather Sanborn
State Rep. Thom Harnett
Kate Ende, Consumers for Affordable Health Care
Marie Follyattar, Mainers for Accountable Leadership

WHERE: Dial-In: 877-229-8493; Pin: 114927

WHEN: Thursday, June 17 at 3:00 PM ET

WISCONSIN

WHO:
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul
Wisconsin residents Lillian Cheesman, David Marsteller, and Vik Verma

WHERE: Dial-In: 877-229-8493 (email [email protected] for the required log-in PIN number)

WHEN: Thursday, June 17 at 1:30 PM CT

In Major Repudiation of a Decade of GOP Attacks on American Health Care, Supreme Court Affirms Protections for People With Pre-Existing Conditions, Medicaid Expansion, and Health Care Coverage for More Than 20 Million Americans 

Democrats Now Turn to Building on the ACA to Lower Drug and Premium Costs, Increase Coverage and Reduce Racial Disparities in Care

Washington, DC — Today, in a massive repudiation of the Republican war on health care, the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the Affordable Care Act in California v. Texas, a lawsuit brought by 18 Republican-led states and backed by the Trump administration, seeking to completely dismantle the health care law. By upholding the ACA, the court saved health coverage for more than 20 million Americans and protections for more than 135 million people with pre-existing conditions, along with many more critical provisions. The decision brings to an ignominious close a decade of Republican attacks on American health care and provides significant momentum to efforts by President Biden and Congressional Democrats to build on the health care law by expanding coverage, lowering costs and addressing racial disparities in care and coverage.   

“Today’s decision is a tremendous victory for the American people and a complete repudiation of the Republican war on health care. Republicans have waged a years-long battle to undermine the Affordable Care Act and rip coverage from millions of Americans, and it has cost them Congress and the White House. Today, it was rejected again by the Supreme Court. This decision should represent the dying gasp of the Republican war on health care, but instead they continue to oppose expanding coverage and lowering drug prices,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “The ACA is here to stay.”

“After three defeats in the Supreme Court, dozens of failed efforts to repeal the ACA in Congress, and repudiation at the ballot box, it’s time for Republican elected officials to realize the ACA is here to stay. Repeal is dead, the ACA is more popular than ever, and saving lives every day.  Republican, Democratic and Independent voters, in red states and in blue states, want to build on the ACA to lower drug prices and health care premiums, expand coverage and address racial inequities– and that’s what President Biden and Democrats in Congress are planning to do,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. 

HERE TO STAY: U.S. Health Protections A Decade After Passing Of The Affordable Care Act: 

• GAINED: Protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. 
• GAINED: Medicaid expansion, which covers 15 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

Watch the 30-Second Ad Here

Watch the 15-Second Ad Here

Phoenix, AZ — Today, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans and a local Arizona health care advocate joined Protect Our Care Arizona for a virtual press conference to announce Protect Our Care’s new digital ad in Arizona — part of a seven-figure ad campaign about prescription drug prices. The ad features Beatriz Morrison, a patient storyteller from Phoenix who is struggling to afford her prescriptions. In the ad, Morrison tells her personal story and relays the importance of giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for all Americans. 

“I either have to cut back on a utility or I have to cut back on my groceries,” said Morrison. “Well, right now I’ll be truthful. I’m only taking medication for my heart. I have Lupus. I have Sjögrens. I have Glaucoma. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. And I’m only taking medication for my heart.”

The ad is part of the national Campaign to Reduce Drug Prices, a grassroots and communications campaign calling for comprehensive legislation to lower drug prices. The ad will run on digital platforms, focusing particularly on older Americans, beginning on June 15. Protect Our Care will continue to run ads and host events both nationally and in 13 key states, including Arizona, throughout the summer.

“I’m angry because Beatriz is not the only one in Arizona and this country that is living like this,” said Saundra Cole, President of the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans. “It’s not right. The AARA is trying to get the word out to our elected officials that we built this country and we now we can’t even afford our prescriptions. We need our elected officials to protect us and to advocate for us. That’s what we elect them to do. We are just asking that we are able to pay for our own medication.”

“Right now pharmaceutical companies take advantage of Americans who depend on life-saving drugs,” said Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care. “We pay three to four times what consumers are paying in other countries. Arizonans support prescription drug reform because they feel the impact of the high costs of their medications firsthand. Giving Medicare the power to negotiate prescription drug prices will make medications more affordable for Arizonans and all Americans. It’s time for Congress to take action on soaring drug prices and help provide families some much-needed relief.”

Script for “Beatriz” (:15): 

I needed a certain medication.

It was $3,000 dollars. For one month’s supply. 

I chose not to take it because I couldn’t.

Medication and insurance needs to be reasonably priced!

Congress needs to act. Get us what we need!

Script for “Beatriz” (:30): 

I needed a certain medication.

It was $3,000 dollars. For one month’s supply.

I chose not to take it because I couldn’t.

I still have to worry about utilities. I still have to worry about groceries.

Medication and insurance needs to be reasonably priced!

We’re at drug companies mercy because they can tell you what a prescription can cost and what it can’t. 

Congress needs to act. Get us what we need!

You can watch the press conference here, and learn more about how the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) will make prescription drugs more affordable here.

Last week, the FDA approved the sale of an Alzheimer’s drug, Aducanumab, despite mixed results during its clinical trials and remaining questions about dangerous side effects. Coverage continues to confirm that the drug’s price tag of $56,000 a year will have massive consequences for patients, taxpayers, and the entire health care system. 

Millions of seniors are expected to qualify for this medication, but the drug’s price is double the average income of a person on Medicare. Drugs can only help patients if they can afford them. Patients could be left on the hook for thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs while they are grappling with a devastating disease. Even the Alzheimer’s Association called the price of the drug “simply unacceptable.” Aducanumab shines a bright light on Big Pharma’s endless greed and the rigged system that allows drugmakers to set prices for drugs without limits. It also demonstrates the urgent need for giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower prices.

STAT News: Q&A: The CEO Of The Alzheimer’s Association On The Approval Of Aduhelm — And Why Critics Should Stop Dwelling On The Decision. “We believe that the price is unacceptable because we are so concerned that No. 1, it would cause out-of-pocket costs for so many people that would be so high that it would not reach the number of people it otherwise could. And with a price so high, we’re even more concerned that it would drive more inequity in terms of distribution of a treatment we believe will make a difference for people. We want all communities to have access.” [STAT News, 6/16/21]

The Philadelphia Inquirer: Aduhelm, Biogen’s New Alzheimer’s Drug, Won FDA Approval. Now Doctors, Patients, And Insurers Face Tough Decisions About Care And Cost. “The Alzheimer’s Association…this week pronounced Biogen’s proposed price — a whopping $56,000 a year — ‘simply unacceptable’ and said it would be an ‘insurmountable barrier’ to access. It called for a price cut.” [The Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/15/21]

Politico: New Alzheimer’s Drug Could Be ‘Devastating’ For Medicare. “The $56,000 annual price tag of Biogen’s new drug, Aduhelm, already threatens to balloon health care costs. Coverage from Medicare would undoubtedly mean higher premiums for 56 million older adults, and some experts say the federal government shouldn’t cover the drug given the scant evidence it works.” [Politico, 6/15/21]

STAT News: ‘Simply Unacceptable’: Alzheimer’s Association Blasts Biogen Over The Price Of Its New Medicine. “If [500,000] beneficiaries are prescribed Aduhelm…total spending for Aduhelm in one year would be nearly $29 billion. ‘To put this $29 billion amount in context, total Medicare spending for all Part B drugs was $37 billion in 2019’.” [STAT News, 6/12/21]

The Atlantic: The Drug That Could Break American Health Care. “Aduhelm is likely to increase the federal deficit, squeeze state budgets, and force additional costs onto seniors—all for a drug that may not work.” [The Atlantic, 6/11/21]

NPR: Medicare Copays For New Alzheimer’s Drug Could Reach $11,500. “At this price, the cost of this one drug alone could top all others covered by Medicare, if it is used widely.” [NPR, 6/10/21]

Kaiser Family Foundation: FDA’s Approval Of Biogen’s New Alzheimer’s Drug Has Huge Cost Implications For Medicare and Beneficiaries. “If 1 million Medicare beneficiaries receive Aduhelm, which may even be on the low end of Biogen’s expectations, spending on Aduhelm alone would exceed $57 billion dollars in a single year – far surpassing spending on all other Part B-covered drugs combined.” [Kaiser Family Foundations, 6/10/21]

Bloomberg (Opinion): Alzheimer’s Drug Furor Highlights U.S. Health System’s Failures. “Biogen plans to price the drug at $56,000 a year for the average patient, it also stands to cost Medicare and other insurers a bundle.” [Bloomberg Opinion, 6/10/21]

Endpoints News: What Does A Clear Majority Of The Biopharma Industry Think Of The FDA Approval Of Aducanumab? ‘Horrifying’ ‘Dangerous’ ‘Confusing’ ‘Disaster’. “It became immediately apparent that the vast majority of our readers — heavily concentrated among biopharma staffers and execs — were incensed by what they had just witnessed. [Endpoints News, 6/9/21]

Boston Globe: What’s Next For The New Alzheimer’s Drug? Lots Of Thorny Issues Ahead. “Some consumers may face hefty out-of-pocket charges, which could make them think twice about taking a drug with known risks and uncertain benefits.” [Boston Globe, 6/9/21]

Health Affairs (Blog): Limiting Coverage Based On Efficacy And Safety: A Path Forward For Medicare Regarding The Alzheimer’s Treatment Aducanumab. “It is estimated to cost as much as $70,000 per year, but based on the divide of the drug’s clinical effectiveness, it would need to be priced between $2,500-$8,300 a year to be cost effective and the scientific community ha[s] voiced serious concerns about coverage.” [Health Affairs, 6/7/21] 

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY JUNE 16, 11:00 AM MT // 2:00 PM ET***

Protect Our Care and Arizona Advocates to Announce First Ad in Seven-Figure Campaign Featuring Patient Who Needs Action To Lower Drug Prices

Phoenix, AZ — On Wednesday, June 16 at 11:00 AM MT // 2:00 PM ET, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans and a local Arizona advocate will join Protect Our Care Arizona for a virtual press conference to announce Protect Our Care’s new digital ad in Arizona — part of a seven-figure ad campaign about prescription drug prices. The ad features Beatriz, a patient storyteller from Phoenix who is struggling to afford her prescriptions. In the ad, Beatriz tells her personal story and relays the importance of giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for all Americans. 

The ad is part of The Campaign to Reduce Drug Prices, a grassroots and communications campaign calling for comprehensive legislation to lower drug prices. The ad will run on digital platforms, focusing particularly on older Americans, beginning on June 15. Protect Our Care will continue to run ads and host events both nationally and in 13 key states, including Arizona, throughout the summer.

WHO:
Beatriz Morrison, Arizonan and Rx drug storyteller
Saundra Cole, Executive Director, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans
Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care
Protect Our Care Arizona

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference 

WHEN: Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 11:00 AM MT // 2:00 PM ET

WHERE: Register for the Event Here