November 2021

Salisbury, MD — The Build Back Better Act will deliver long-overdue relief to Maryland families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding Medicare benefits to cover hearing, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. By voting against Build Back Better, Representative Andy Harris (MD-01), voted against lowering health care costs for working families — despite overwhelming support from his own constituents. 

“Time and again, Rep. Harris has failed the people of Maryland on health care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Marylanders from all walks of life support policies to lower drug prices, expand coverage, improve care for seniors, and level the playing field for working families, but Rep. Harris continues to put industry profits ahead of his constituents. By opposing Build Back Better, Rep. Harris proved he is out of touch with the economic and health worries that keep families up at night. Just like his attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act, this vote will haunt Rep. Harris for years to come.” 

Here’s what Rep. Harris’s vote against Build Back Better means for Maryland: 

Rep. Harris Voted For Higher Drug Prices 

Rep. Harris Opposed Giving Medicare The Power To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices. For nearly 20 years, Medicare has been banned from negotiating the price of prescription drugs, and Big Pharma has been able to dictate prices while Americans pay three times more for their medications than people in other countries. Rep. Harris voted with his Big Pharma allies to continue to block Medicare from negotiating the prices for select drugs purchased at the pharmacy counter and administered at the doctor’s office. 

Rep. Harris Opposed Capping Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Seniors. Rep. Harris voted against helping seniors with serious conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis save thousands of dollars on prescriptions, by opposing the Build Back Better Act which caps Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year beginning in 2024. 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Lowering the Price of Insulin. Rep. Harris opposed capping insulin co-pays for all Americans with insurance at $35 each month. 

Rep. Harris Voted To Allow Unlimited Price Increases On Prescription Drugs. Rep. Harris voted against stopping Big Pharma from raising prices faster than the rate of inflation as part of the Build Back Better Act. This cap will apply to all Americans, no matter whether you are insured or not, and no matter what kind of insurance you have, and is essential to stop arbitrary price increases on essential medications. 

Rep. Harris Voted For Higher Health Insurance Premiums 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Helping Nine Million Americans Save On Monthly Premiums. Rep. Harris voted against helping nine million Americans save an average of $600 annually on their premiums when they buy insurance on their own through the ACA Marketplaces. For a family of four making $80,000 a year, premiums will drop nearly $250 a month, or nearly $3,000 a year. 

Rep. Harris Opposed Premium Relief For Middle Income Families. The Build Back Better ensures families above will pay no more than 8.5 percent of their income towards health coverage. This will help middle-income families facing excessive premiums or living in high-premium areas.

Rep. Harris Voted Against Expanding Medicare Benefits

Rep. Harris Voted Against Giving Access To Hearing Care To Millions Of Seniors. Rep. Harris voted against adding hearing coverage to Medicare Part B starting in 2023. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that a Medicare hearing benefit could aid all 62 million Medicare beneficiaries, particularly the 36 million purchasing coverage on their own or simply going without.

Rep. Harris Opposed Health Care For Mothers 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Providing 12 Months Of Continuous Coverage To Women Following Childbirth.  Rep. Harris voted to deny 12 months of continuous coverage to postpartum women on Medicaid. In 2018, 45 percent of births were paid for by Medicaid, with 50 percent or more births covered by the program in 22 states. Medicaid covers 65 percent of all births to Black mothers. 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Funding Health Equity Measures To Reduce Maternal Deaths. The Build Back Better Act includes $295 million to bolster and diversify the perinatal health workforce, including funding for midwives and doulas whose involvement is essential to reducing maternal deaths. An additional $100 million has been included for maternal mental health equity and $50 million for maternal health research at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Rep. Harris Voted Against Extending And Protecting Health Insurance Coverage for Children (CHIP) 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Permanent Funding For The Children’s Health Insurance Program. Rep. Harris voted against the Build Back Better Act, which provides for a permanent extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Keeping Children on Medicaid For A Full Year. The Build Back Better Act requires states to provide 12-month continuous coverage for children on Medicaid and CHIP. States that don’t provide continuous coverage experience increased churn, or children who dis-enrolled and re-enrolled in coverage within the same year. 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Expanding Home And Community-Based Services To Allow Americans To Grow Old At Home 

Rep. Harris Opposed Allowing Millions of Americans To Grow Old At Home. Medicaid is currently the largest provider of home and community-based care, providing essential services to seniors and people with disabilities. Rep. Harris voted against the Build Back Better Act, which will provide an additional $150 billion for home and community-based services, that would provide care to the 2.5 million Americans already participating in the program, and help alleviate the current waitlist of more than 800,000 individuals. Federally provided home and community-based services funds helped more than 100,000 individuals return to their homes and communities from nursing facilities between 2008 and 2019, highlighting the enormous need for Build Back Better to strengthen this essential program.

Rep. Harris Voted Against Helping Families Save An Estimated $5,800 In Home Care Costs. Older Americans and people with disabilities are often forced to liquidate their assets to afford as little as two years of in-home care. The HCBS provisions included in the Build Back Better Act will save families paying out-of-pocket an estimated $5,800 a year for four hours of care per week.

Albany, NY — The Build Back Better Act will deliver long-overdue relief to New York families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding Medicare benefits to cover hearing, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. By voting against Build Back Better, Representatives Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), and John Katko (NY-24) voted against lowering health care costs for working families — despite overwhelming support from their own constituents. 

“Time and again, Republicans are failing the people of New York on health care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “New Yorkers from all walks of life support policies to lower drug prices, expand coverage, improve care for seniors, and level the playing field for working families, but Republicans continue to put industry profits ahead of their constituents. By opposing Build Back Better, Republicans proved they are out of touch with the economic and health worries that keep families up at night. Just like their attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act, this vote will haunt the GOP for years to come.” 

Here’s what Republicans’ vote against Build Back Better means: 

Republicans Voted For Higher Drug Prices 

Republicans Opposed Giving Medicare The Power To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices. For nearly 20 years, Medicare has been banned from negotiating the price of prescription drugs, and Big Pharma has been able to dictate prices while Americans pay three times more for their medications than people in other countries. Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko voted with their Big Pharma allies to continue to block Medicare from negotiating the prices for select drugs purchased at the pharmacy counter and administered at the doctor’s office. 

Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko Opposed Capping Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Seniors. Republicans voted against helping seniors with serious conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis save thousands of dollars on prescriptions, by opposing the Build Back Better Act which caps Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year beginning in 2024. 

Republicans Voted Against Lowering the Price of Insulin. Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko opposed capping insulin co-pays for all Americans with insurance at $35 each month. 

Republicans Voted To Allow Unlimited Price Increases On Prescription Drugs. Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko voted against stopping Big Pharma from raising prices faster than the rate of inflation as part of the Build Back Better Act. This cap will apply to all Americans, no matter whether you are insured or not, and no matter what kind of insurance you have, and is essential to stop arbitrary price increases on essential medications. 

Republicans Voted For Higher Health Insurance Premiums 

Republicans Voted Against Helping Nine Million Americans Save On Monthly Premiums. Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko voted against helping nine million Americans save an average of $600 annually on their premiums when they buy insurance on their own through the ACA Marketplaces. For a family of four making $80,000 a year, premiums will drop nearly $250 a month, or nearly $3,000 a year. 

Republicans Opposed Premium Relief For Middle Income Families. The Build Back Better ensures families above will pay no more than 8.5 percent of their income towards health coverage. This will help middle-income families facing excessive premiums or living in high-premium areas.

Republicans Voted Against Expanding Medicare Benefits

Republicans Voted Against Giving Access To Hearing Care To Millions Of Seniors. Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko voted against adding hearing coverage to Medicare Part B starting in 2023. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that a Medicare hearing benefit could aid all 62 million Medicare beneficiaries, particularly the 36 million purchasing coverage on their own or simply going without.

Republicans Opposed Health Care For Mothers 

Republicans Voted Against Providing 12 Months Of Continuous Coverage To Women Following Childbirth.  Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko voted to deny 12 months of continuous coverage to postpartum women on Medicaid. In 2018, 45 percent of births were paid for by Medicaid, with 50 percent or more births covered by the program in 22 states. Medicaid covers 65 percent of all births to Black mothers. 

Republicans Voted Against Funding Health Equity Measures To Reduce Maternal Deaths. The Build Back Better Act includes $295 million to bolster and diversify the perinatal health workforce, including funding for midwives and doulas whose involvement is essential to reducing maternal deaths. An additional $100 million has been included for maternal mental health equity and $50 million for maternal health research at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Republicans Voted Against Extending And Protecting Health Insurance Coverage for Children (CHIP) 

Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko Voted Against Permanent Funding For The Children’s Health Insurance Program. Republicans voted against the Build Back Better Act, which provides for a permanent extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Republicans Voted Against Keeping Children on Medicaid For A Full Year. The Build Back Better Act requires states to provide 12-month continuous coverage for children on Medicaid and CHIP. States that don’t provide continuous coverage experience increased churn, or children who dis-enrolled and re-enrolled in coverage within the same year. 

Republicans Voted Against Expanding Home And Community-Based Services To Allow Americans To Grow Old At Home 

Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko Opposed Allowing Millions of Americans To Grow Old At Home. Medicaid is currently the largest provider of home and community-based care, providing essential services to seniors and people with disabilities. Republicans voted against the Build Back Better Act, which will provide an additional $150 billion for home and community-based services, that would provide care to the 2.5 million Americans already participating in the program, and help alleviate the current waitlist of more than 800,000 individuals. Federally provided home and community-based services funds helped more than 100,000 individuals return to their homes and communities from nursing facilities between 2008 and 2019, highlighting the enormous need for Build Back Better to strengthen this essential program.

Republicans Voted Against Helping Families Save An Estimated $5,800 In Home Care Costs. Older Americans and people with disabilities are often forced to liquidate their assets to afford as little as two years of in-home care. The HCBS provisions included in the Build Back Better Act will save families paying out-of-pocket an estimated $5,800 a year for four hours of care per week.

Austin, TX — The Build Back Better Act will deliver long-overdue relief to Texas families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding affordable coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, expanding Medicare benefits to cover hearing, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. By voting against Build Back Better, Representatives Beth Van Duyne (TX-24) and Tony Gonzales (TX-23) voted against lowering health care costs for working families — despite overwhelming support from their own constituents. 

“Time and again, Republicans are failing the people of Texas on health care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Texans from all walks of life support policies to lower drug prices, expand coverage, improve care for seniors, and level the playing field for working families, but Republicans continue to put industry profits ahead of their constituents. By opposing Build Back Better, Reps. Van Duyane and Gonzales proved they are out of touch with the economic and health worries that keep families up at night. Just like their attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act, this vote will haunt the GOP for years to come.” 

Here’s what Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales vote against Build Back Better means: 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted For Higher Drug Prices 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Opposed Giving Medicare The Power To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices. For nearly 20 years, Medicare has been banned from negotiating the price of prescription drugs, and Big Pharma has been able to dictate prices while Americans pay three times more for their medications than people in other countries. Republicans voted with their Big Pharma allies to continue to block Medicare from negotiating the prices for select drugs purchased at the pharmacy counter and administered at the doctor’s office. 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Opposed Capping Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Seniors. Republicans voted against helping seniors with serious conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis save thousands of dollars on prescriptions, by opposing the Build Back Better Act which caps Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year beginning in 2024. 

Republicans Voted Against Lowering the Price of Insulin. Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales opposed capping insulin co-pays for all Americans with insurance at $35 each month. 

Republicans Voted To Allow Unlimited Price Increases On Prescription Drugs. Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales voted against stopping Big Pharma from raising prices faster than the rate of inflation as part of the Build Back Better Act. This cap will apply to all Americans, no matter whether you are insured or not, and no matter what kind of insurance you have, and is essential to stop arbitrary price increases on essential medications. 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted For Higher Health Insurance Premiums 

Republicans Voted Against Helping Nine Million Americans Save On Monthly Premiums. Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales voted against helping nine million Americans save an average of $600 annually on their premiums when they buy insurance on their own through the ACA Marketplaces. For a family of four making $80,000 a year, premiums will drop nearly $250 a month, or nearly $3,000 a year. 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Opposed Premium Relief For Middle Income Families. The Build Back Better ensures families above will pay no more than 8.5 percent of their income towards health coverage. This will help middle-income families facing excessive premiums or living in high-premium areas.

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted To Deny Health Care To Millions

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted To Block Expanding Health Coverage For Millions Of Americans. The Congressional Budget Office estimates BBB will increase ACA enrollment by 3.6 million people including 1.4 million who would otherwise be uninsured and 600,000 would have received unsubsidized coverage.

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted To Deny Coverage To 2.2 Million Americans In The Medicaid Gap. Closing the Medicaid coverage gap is the single most important step in reducing racial inequities in our health care system. Republicans voted to deny health insurance to more than two million Americans currently trapped in the Medicaid coverage gap. Build Back Better ensures millions of low-income working people will no longer be denied coverage just because of where they live.

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted Against Expanding Medicare Benefits

Republicans Voted Against Giving Access To Hearing Care To Millions Of Seniors. Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales voted against adding hearing coverage to Medicare Part B starting in 2023. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that a Medicare hearing benefit could aid all 62 million Medicare beneficiaries, particularly the 36 million purchasing coverage on their own or simply going without.

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Opposed Health Care For Mothers 

Republicans Voted Against Providing 12 Months Of Continuous Coverage To Women Following Childbirth.  Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales voted to deny 12 months of continuous coverage to postpartum women on Medicaid. In 2018, 45 percent of births were paid for by Medicaid, with 50 percent or more births covered by the program in 22 states. Medicaid covers 65 percent of all births to Black mothers. 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted Against Funding Health Equity Measures To Reduce Maternal Deaths. The Build Back Better Act includes $295 million to bolster and diversify the perinatal health workforce, including funding for midwives and doulas whose involvement is essential to reducing maternal deaths. An additional $100 million has been included for maternal mental health equity and $50 million for maternal health research at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted Against Extending And Protecting Health Insurance Coverage for Children (CHIP) 

Republicans Voted Against Permanent Funding For The Children’s Health Insurance Program. Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales voted against the Build Back Better Act, which provides for a permanent extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Republicans Voted Against Keeping Children on Medicaid For A Full Year. The Build Back Better Act requires states to provide 12-month continuous coverage for children on Medicaid and CHIP. States that don’t provide continuous coverage experience increased churn, or children who dis-enrolled and re-enrolled in coverage within the same year. 

Republicans Voted Against Expanding Home And Community-Based Services To Allow Americans To Grow Old At Home 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Opposed Allowing Millions of Americans To Grow Old At Home. Medicaid is currently the largest provider of home and community-based care, providing essential services to seniors and people with disabilities. Republicans voted against the Build Back Better Act, which will provide an additional $150 billion for home and community-based services, that would provide care to the 2.5 million Americans already participating in the program, and help alleviate the current waitlist of more than 800,000 individuals. Federally provided home and community-based services funds helped more than 100,000 individuals return to their homes and communities from nursing facilities between 2008 and 2019, highlighting the enormous need for Build Back Better to strengthen this essential program.

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted Against Helping Families Save An Estimated $5,800 In Home Care Costs. Older Americans and people with disabilities are often forced to liquidate their assets to afford as little as two years of in-home care. The HCBS provisions included in the Build Back Better Act will save families paying out-of-pocket an estimated $5,800 a year for four hours of care per week.

Des Moines, IA — The Build Back Better Act will deliver long-overdue relief to Iowa families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding Medicare benefits to cover hearing, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. By voting against Build Back Better, Representatives Ashley Hinson (IA-01) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) voted against lowering health care costs for working families — despite overwhelming support from their own constituents. 

“Time and again, Republicans have failed the people of Iowa on health care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Iowans from all walks of life support policies to lower drug prices, expand coverage, improve care for seniors, and level the playing field for working families, but Republicans continue to put industry profits ahead of their constituents. By opposing Build Back Better, Republicans proved they are out of touch with the economic and health worries that keep families up at night. Just like Republican attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act, this vote will haunt the GOP for years to come.” 

Here’s what Republicans’ vote against Build Back Better means for Iowa: 

Rep.s Hinson and Miller-Meeks Voted For Higher Drug Prices 

Republicans Opposed Giving Medicare The Power To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices. For nearly 20 years, Medicare has been banned from negotiating the price of prescription drugs, and Big Pharma has been able to dictate prices while Americans pay three times more for their medications than people in other countries. Republicans voted with their Big Pharma allies to continue to block Medicare from negotiating the prices for select drugs purchased at the pharmacy counter and administered at the doctor’s office. 

Republicans Opposed Capping Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Seniors. Republicans voted against helping seniors with serious conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis save thousands of dollars on prescriptions, by opposing the Build Back Better Act which caps Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year beginning in 2024. 

Republicans Voted Against Lowering the Price of Insulin. Republicans opposed capping insulin co-pays for all Americans with insurance at $35 each month. 

Republicans Voted To Allow Unlimited Price Increases On Prescription Drugs. Republicans voted against stopping Big Pharma from raising prices faster than the rate of inflation as part of the Build Back Better Act. This cap will apply to all Americans, no matter whether you are insured or not, and no matter what kind of insurance you have, and is essential to stop arbitrary price increases on essential medications. 

Rep.s Hinson and Miller-Meeks Voted For Higher Health Insurance Premiums 

Republicans Voted Against Helping Nine Million Americans Save On Monthly Premiums. Republicans voted against helping nine million Americans save an average of $600 annually on their premiums when they buy insurance on their own through the ACA Marketplaces. For a family of four making $80,000 a year, premiums will drop nearly $250 a month, or nearly $3,000 a year. 

Republicans Opposed Premium Relief For Middle Income Families. The Build Back Better ensures families above will pay no more than 8.5 percent of their income towards health coverage. This will help middle-income families facing excessive premiums or living in high-premium areas.

Rep.s Hinson and Miller-Meeks Voted Against Expanding Medicare Benefits

Republicans Voted Against Giving Access To Hearing Care To Millions Of Seniors. Republicans voted against adding hearing coverage to Medicare Part B starting in 2023. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that a Medicare hearing benefit could aid all 62 million Medicare beneficiaries, particularly the 36 million purchasing coverage on their own or simply going without.

Rep.s Hinson and Miller-Meeks Opposed Health Care For Mothers 

Republicans Voted Against Providing 12 Months Of Continuous Coverage To Women Following Childbirth.  Republicans voted to deny 12 months of continuous coverage to postpartum women on Medicaid. In 2018, 45 percent of births were paid for by Medicaid, with 50 percent or more births covered by the program in 22 states. Medicaid covers 65 percent of all births to Black mothers. 

Republicans Voted Against Funding Health Equity Measures To Reduce Maternal Deaths. The Build Back Better Act includes $295 million to bolster and diversify the perinatal health workforce, including funding for midwives and doulas whose involvement is essential to reducing maternal deaths. An additional $100 million has been included for maternal mental health equity and $50 million for maternal health research at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Rep.s Hinson and Miller-Meeks Voted Against Extending And Protecting Health Insurance Coverage for Children (CHIP) 

Republicans Voted Against Permanent Funding For The Children’s Health Insurance Program. Republicans voted against the Build Back Better Act, which provides for a permanent extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Republicans Voted Against Keeping Children on Medicaid For A Full Year. The Build Back Better Act requires states to provide 12-month continuous coverage for children on Medicaid and CHIP. States that don’t provide continuous coverage experience increased churn, or children who dis-enrolled and re-enrolled in coverage within the same year. 

Rep.s Hinson and Miller-Meeks Voted Against Expanding Home And Community-Based Services To Allow Americans To Grow Old At Home 

Republicans Opposed Allowing Millions of Americans To Grow Old At Home. Medicaid is currently the largest provider of home and community-based care, providing essential services to seniors and people with disabilities. Republicans voted against the Build Back Better Act, which will provide an additional $150 billion for home and community-based services, that would provide care to the 2.5 million Americans already participating in the program, and help alleviate the current waitlist of more than 800,000 individuals. Federally provided home and community-based services funds helped more than 100,000 individuals return to their homes and communities from nursing facilities between 2008 and 2019, highlighting the enormous need for Build Back Better to strengthen this essential program.

Republicans Voted Against Helping Families Save An Estimated $5,800 In Home Care Costs. Older Americans and people with disabilities are often forced to liquidate their assets to afford as little as two years of in-home care. The HCBS provisions included in the Build Back Better Act will save families paying out-of-pocket an estimated $5,800 a year for four hours of care per week.

Rep. Wagner Voted for Higher Drug Prices and Higher Insurance Premiums for Missouri

St. Louis, MO — The Build Back Better Act will deliver long-overdue relief to Missouri families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding Medicare benefits to cover hearing, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. By voting against Build Back Better, Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-02) voted against lowering health care costs for working families — despite overwhelming support from her own constituents. 

“Time and again, Rep. Wagner has failed the people of Missouri on health care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Missourians from all walks of life support policies to lower drug prices, expand coverage, improve care for seniors, and level the playing field for working families, but Republicans continue to put industry profits ahead of their constituents. By opposing Build Back Better, Rep. Wagner proved she is out of touch with the economic and health worries that keep families up at night. Just like her attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act, this vote will haunt Rep. Wagner for years to come.” 

Here’s what Rep. Wagner’s vote against Build Back Better means: 

Rep. Wagner Voted For Higher Drug Prices 

Rep. Wagner Opposed Giving Medicare The Power To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices. For nearly 20 years, Medicare has been banned from negotiating the price of prescription drugs, and Big Pharma has been able to dictate prices while Americans pay three times more for their medications than people in other countries. Rep. Wagner voted with her Big Pharma allies to continue to block Medicare from negotiating the prices for select drugs purchased at the pharmacy counter and administered at the doctor’s office. 

Rep. Wagner Opposed Capping Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Seniors. Rep. Wagner voted against helping seniors with serious conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis save thousands of dollars on prescriptions, by opposing the Build Back Better Act which caps Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year beginning in 2024. 

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Lowering the Price of Insulin. Rep. Wagner opposed capping insulin co-pays for all Americans with insurance at $35 each month. 

Rep. Wagner Voted To Allow Unlimited Price Increases On Prescription Drugs. Rep. Wagner voted against stopping Big Pharma from raising prices faster than the rate of inflation as part of the Build Back Better Act. This cap will apply to all Americans, no matter whether you are insured or not, and no matter what kind of insurance you have, and is essential to stop arbitrary price increases on essential medications. 

Rep. Wagner Voted For Higher Health Insurance Premiums 

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Helping Nine Million Americans Save On Monthly Premiums. Rep. Wagner voted against helping nine million Americans save an average of $600 annually on their premiums when they buy insurance on their own through the ACA Marketplaces. For a family of four making $80,000 a year, premiums will drop nearly $250 a month, or nearly $3,000 a year. 

Rep. Wagner Opposed Premium Relief For Middle Income Families. The Build Back Better ensures families above will pay no more than 8.5 percent of their income towards health coverage. This will help middle-income families facing excessive premiums or living in high-premium areas.

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Expanding Medicare Benefits

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Giving Access To Hearing Care To Millions Of Seniors. Rep. Wagner voted against adding hearing coverage to Medicare Part B starting in 2023. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that a Medicare hearing benefit could aid all 62 million Medicare beneficiaries, particularly the 36 million purchasing coverage on their own or simply going without.

Rep. Wagner Opposed Health Care For Mothers 

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Providing 12 Months Of Continuous Coverage To Women Following Childbirth.  Rep. Wagner voted to deny 12 months of continuous coverage to postpartum women on Medicaid. In 2018, 45 percent of births were paid for by Medicaid, with 50 percent or more births covered by the program in 22 states. Medicaid covers 65 percent of all births to Black mothers. 

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Funding Health Equity Measures To Reduce Maternal Deaths. The Build Back Better Act includes $295 million to bolster and diversify the perinatal health workforce, including funding for midwives and doulas whose involvement is essential to reducing maternal deaths. An additional $100 million has been included for maternal mental health equity and $50 million for maternal health research at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Extending And Protecting Health Insurance Coverage for Children (CHIP) 

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Permanent Funding For The Children’s Health Insurance Program. Rep. Wagner voted against the Build Back Better Act, which provides for a permanent extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Keeping Children on Medicaid For A Full Year. The Build Back Better Act requires states to provide 12-month continuous coverage for children on Medicaid and CHIP. States that don’t provide continuous coverage experience increased churn, or children who dis-enrolled and re-enrolled in coverage within the same year. 

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Expanding Home And Community-Based Services To Allow Americans To Grow Old At Home 

Rep. Wagner Opposed Allowing Millions of Americans To Grow Old At Home. Medicaid is currently the largest provider of home and community-based care, providing essential services to seniors and people with disabilities. Rep. Wagner voted against the Build Back Better Act, which will provide an additional $150 billion for home and community-based services, that would provide care to the 2.5 million Americans already participating in the program, and help alleviate the current waitlist of more than 800,000 individuals. Federally provided home and community-based services funds helped more than 100,000 individuals return to their homes and communities from nursing facilities between 2008 and 2019, highlighting the enormous need for Build Back Better to strengthen this essential program.

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Helping Families Save An Estimated $5,800 In Home Care Costs. Older Americans and people with disabilities are often forced to liquidate their assets to afford as little as two years of in-home care. The HCBS provisions included in the Build Back Better Act will save families paying out-of-pocket an estimated $5,800 a year for four hours of care per week.

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 29 AT 12:00 PM ET***

TODAY: Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux and Local Advocates to Highlight How Closing the Coverage Gap through the Build Back Better Act Will Impact Georgians

Lawrenceville, GA —  Today, Monday November 29 at 12:00 PM ET, Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA-07) will host a press conference at the Lawrenceville Health Center in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Local health care professionals, patients, and advocates will join Congresswoman Bourdeaux to share stories about their experiences with the Medicaid coverage gap and highlight how Congresswoman Boudreaux’s work to expand Medicaid and close the coverage gap through the Build Back Better Act will benefit Georgians. 

PRESS EVENT:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA-07)
Chad Wasdin, Gwinnett Health Department Communications Director
Laura Colbert, Georgians for a Healthy Future Executive Director
Liz Ernst, Protect Our Care Georgia State Director
Local Advocates

WHAT: Press Conference to Highlight How Closing the Coverage Gap through the Build Back Better Act Will Impact Georgians

WHEN: Monday November 29 at 12:00 PM ET

WHERE: Lawrenceville Health Center, 455 Grayson Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Every Republican in the House Voted for Higher Drug Prices, Higher Insurance Premiums, and to Deny Health Care to Millions

Washington, D.C. — The Build Back Better Act will deliver long-overdue relief to American families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding affordable coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, expanding Medicare benefits to cover hearing, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. By voting against Build Back Better, every single Republican in the House voted against lowering health care costs for working families — despite overwhelming support from their own constituents. 

“Time and again, Republicans are failing the American people on health care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Americans from all walks of life support policies to lower drug prices, expand coverage, improve care for seniors, and level the playing field for working families, but Republicans continue to put industry profits ahead of their constituents. By opposing Build Back Better, Republicans proved they are out of touch with the economic and health worries that keep families up at night. Just like their attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act, this vote will haunt the GOP for years to come.” 

Here’s what Republicans’ vote against Build Back Better means: 

Republicans Voted For Higher Drug Prices 

Republicans Opposed Giving Medicare The Power To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices. For nearly 20 years, Medicare has been banned from negotiating the price of prescription drugs, and Big Pharma has been able to dictate prices while Americans pay three times more for their medications than people in other countries. Republicans voted with their Big Pharma allies to continue to block Medicare from negotiating the prices for select drugs purchased at the pharmacy counter and administered at the doctor’s office. 

Republicans Opposed Capping Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Seniors. Republicans voted against helping seniors with serious conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis save thousands of dollars on prescriptions, by opposing the Build Back Better Act which caps Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year beginning in 2024. 

Republicans Voted Against Lowering the Price of Insulin. Republicans opposed capping insulin co-pays for all Americans with insurance at $35 each month. 

Republicans Voted To Allow Unlimited Price Increases On Prescription Drugs. Republicans voted against stopping Big Pharma from raising prices faster than the rate of inflation as part of the Build Back Better Act. This cap will apply to all Americans, no matter whether you are insured or not, and no matter what kind of insurance you have, and is essential to stop arbitrary price increases on essential medications. 

Republicans Voted For Higher Health Insurance Premiums 

Republicans Voted Against Helping Nine Million Americans Save On Monthly Premiums. Republicans voted against helping nine million Americans save an average of $600 annually on their premiums when they buy insurance on their own through the ACA Marketplaces. For a family of four making $80,000 a year, premiums will drop nearly $250 a month, or nearly $3,000 a year. 

Republicans Opposed Premium Relief For Middle Income Families. The Build Back Better ensures families above will pay no more than 8.5 percent of their income towards health coverage. This will help middle-income families facing excessive premiums or living in high-premium areas.

Republicans Voted To Deny Health Care To Millions

Republicans Voted To Block Expanding Health Coverage For Millions Of Americans. The Congressional Budget Office estimates BBB will increase ACA enrollment by 3.6 million people including 1.4 million who would otherwise be uninsured and 600,000 would have received unsubsidized coverage.

Republicans Voted To Deny Coverage To 2.2 Million Americans In The Medicaid Gap. Closing the Medicaid coverage gap is the single most important step in reducing racial inequities in our health care system. Republicans voted to deny health insurance to more than two million Americans currently trapped in the Medicaid coverage gap. Build Back Better ensures millions of low-income working people will no longer be denied coverage just because of where they live.

Republicans Voted Against Expanding Medicare Benefits

Republicans Voted Against Giving Access To Hearing Care To Millions Of Seniors. Republicans voted against adding hearing coverage to Medicare Part B starting in 2023. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that a Medicare hearing benefit could aid all 62 million Medicare beneficiaries, particularly the 36 million purchasing coverage on their own or simply going without.

Republicans Opposed Health Care For Mothers 

Republicans Voted Against Providing 12 Months Of Continuous Coverage To Women Following Childbirth.  Republicans voted to deny 12 months of continuous coverage to postpartum women on Medicaid. In 2018, 45 percent of births were paid for by Medicaid, with 50 percent or more births covered by the program in 22 states. Medicaid covers 65 percent of all births to Black mothers. 

Republicans Voted Against Funding Health Equity Measures To Reduce Maternal Deaths. The Build Back Better Act includes $295 million to bolster and diversify the perinatal health workforce, including funding for midwives and doulas whose involvement is essential to reducing maternal deaths. An additional $100 million has been included for maternal mental health equity and $50 million for maternal health research at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Republicans Voted Against Extending And Protecting Health Insurance Coverage for Children (CHIP) 

Republicans Voted Against Permanent Funding For The Children’s Health Insurance Program. Republicans voted against the Build Back Better Act, which provides for a permanent extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Republicans Voted Against Keeping Children on Medicaid For A Full Year. The Build Back Better Act requires states to provide 12-month continuous coverage for children on Medicaid and CHIP. States that don’t provide continuous coverage experience increased churn, or children who dis-enrolled and re-enrolled in coverage within the same year. 

Republicans Voted Against Expanding Home And Community-Based Services To Allow Americans To Grow Old At Home 

Republicans Opposed Allowing Millions of Americans To Grow Old At Home. Medicaid is currently the largest provider of home and community-based care, providing essential services to seniors and people with disabilities. Republicans voted against the Build Back Better Act, which will provide an additional $150 billion for home and community-based services, that would provide care to the 2.5 million Americans already participating in the program, and help alleviate the current waitlist of more than 800,000 individuals. Federally provided home and community-based services funds helped more than 100,000 individuals return to their homes and communities from nursing facilities between 2008 and 2019, highlighting the enormous need for Build Back Better to strengthen this essential program.

Republicans Voted Against Helping Families Save An Estimated $5,800 In Home Care Costs. Older Americans and people with disabilities are often forced to liquidate their assets to afford as little as two years of in-home care. The HCBS provisions included in the Build Back Better Act will save families paying out-of-pocket an estimated $5,800 a year for four hours of care per week.

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 29 AT 10:30 AM ET***

TODAY: Chairman Frank Pallone and Health Advocates to Discuss Historic Health Provisions in Build Back Better Act and Call for Immediate Passage in the Senate  

New Jersey —  Today, Monday November 29 at 10:30 AM ET, U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) and local advocates will join Protect Our Care New Jersey and Honest Arizona to discuss the House passage of the Build Back Better Act, the most significant expansion of affordable health care since the Affordable Care Act. 

The landmark legislation includes measures to deliver relief to American families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding affordable coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, expanding Medicare benefits, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. During the call, speakers will stress the urgent need for the Senate to move quickly to pass the bill so millions of Americans can finally afford the health care they need.

PRESS EVENT:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06)
Mayor Brian C. Wahler, Township of Piscataway
Stephanie Hunsinger, AARP New Jersey State Director
Maura Collinsgru, New Jersey Citizen Action Health Care Program Director
Lisa Ann Trainor, Patient Advocate 

WHAT: Press Conference to Discuss Historic Health Provisions in Build Back Better Act and Call for Immediate Passage in the Senate 

WHEN: Monday November 29 at 10:30 AM ETWHERE: Piscataway Township Senior Center, 700 Buena Vista Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 0885

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 23 AT 11:00 AM MST // 1:00 PM EST ***

Phoenix, AZ —  Today, Wednesday November 23 at 11:00 AM MT // 1:00 PM ET, U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-07) and local advocates will join Protect Our Care Arizona and Honest Arizona to discuss the House passage of the Build Back Better Act, the most significant expansion of affordable health care since the Affordable Care Act. 

The landmark legislation includes measures to deliver relief to American families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding affordable coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, expanding Medicare benefits, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. During the call, speakers will stress the urgent need for the Senate to move quickly to pass the bill so millions of Americans can finally afford the health care they need.

PRESS EVENT: 

WHO:
U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-07)
Teresa Dickinson, Melrose Pharmacy Owner
Honest Arizona
Iesha Meza, Arizona Patient and Advocate
Protect Our Care Arizona 

WHAT: Press Conference to Discuss Historic Health Provisions in Build Back Better Act and Call for Immediate Passage in the Senate 

WHEN: Tuesday, November 23 at 11:00 AM MT // 1:00 PM ET

WHERE: Melrose Pharmacy, 706 W. Montecito Ave. #2814, Phoenix, AZ 85013