October 2022

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and U.S. Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), David Price (D-NC-04), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Susan Wild (D-PA-07), Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), and Deborah Ross (D-NC-02), to Headline “Lower Costs, Better Care” Events Across Six States

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Live Here.

On the final week of Protect Our Care’s 12,000-mile “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, “Care Force One” will make stops in six states to celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to drive down health care costs and to let Americans know how and when they can access these new benefits. During each stop, national and local elected officials, health care advocates and storytellers will educate Americans about how the bill could save them thousands of dollars a year on health care. 

The “Lower Costs, Better Care” five-week tour will thank lawmakers who fought tirelessly to pass this historic bill and call out Republican lawmakers for rejecting measures to lower costs for millions of working families and seniors and addressing deep inequities in our health care system. Lawmakers have long worked to lower health costs and rein in high drug prices — but President Biden and Democrats in Congress actually got the job done— with help on the way in just a matter of months. Read more about the Inflation Reduction Act’s health care provisions here. 

MONDAY

MADISON, WISCONSIN:
WHO:
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI-02)
Clark Johnson, patient storyteller
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: Labor Temple: 1602 S Park St UNIT 106, Madison, WI 53715

WHEN: Monday, October 31, 2022 at 2:00 PM CT

TUESDAY

TOLEDO, OHIO:
WHO:
U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09)
Marcy Gregory, retired president of CWA Local 4319
Twyla Wheaton, retired teacher
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate 

WHERE: UAW Local 12: 2300 Ashland Ave. Toledo, Ohio 43620

WHEN: Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 11:00 AM ET

DETROIT, MICHIGAN:
WHO:
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate 

WHERE: Southwest Solutions: 1700 Waterman St, Detroit, MI 48209

WHEN: Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 2:00 PM ET

WEDNESDAY

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA:
WHO:
U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)
Meena Seshamani, Director, Center for Medicare at Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: Quaker Friends Center: 1501 Cherry St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

WHEN: Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 11:30 AM ET

ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA:
WHO:
U.S. Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-07)
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: Rose Garden Pavilions: Honochick Dr, Allentown, PA 18104

WHEN: Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 3:00 PM ET

THURSDAY

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA:
WHO:
U.S. Representative David Price (D-NC-04)
U.S. Representative Deborah Ross (D-NC-02)
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate 

WHERE: Moore Square: 226 E Martin St, Raleigh, NC, 27601

WHEN: Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 2:00 PM ET

FRIDAY

ATLANTA, GEORGIA:
WHO:
U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-06)
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: TBD

WHEN: Friday, November 4, 2022 at TBD 

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One will make stops in:
Bangor, Maine on Monday, October 3, 2022
Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Monday, October 3, 2022
Concord, New Hampshire on Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Hartford, Connecticut on Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Scranton, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, October 5, 2022
New Brunswick, New Jersey on Thursday, October 6, 2022
Marlton, New Jersey on Thursday, October 6, 2022
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Friday, October 7, 2022
Morgantown, West Virginia on Friday, October 7, 2022
Columbus, Ohio on Monday, October 10, 2022
Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, October 10, 2022
Flint, Michigan on Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Green Bay, Wisconsin on Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Eau Claire, Wisconsin on Thursday, October 13, 2022
St. Paul, Minnesota on Thursday, October 13, 2022
Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, October 14, 2022
Kansas City, Kansas on Friday, October 14, 2022
Reno, Nevada on Monday, October 17, 2022
Las Vegas, Nevada on Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Flagstaff, Arizona on Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Phoenix, Arizona on Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Tucson, Arizona on Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Albuquerque, New Mexico on Thursday, October 20, 2022
Boulder/Fort Collins, Colorado on Thursday, October 20, 2022
Denver, Colorado on Friday, October 21, 2022
Raleigh, North Carolina on Monday, October 24, 2022
Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Augusta, Georgia on Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Savannah, Georgia on Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Orlando, Florida on Thursday, October 27, 2022
Tampa, Florida on Thursday, October 27, 2022
Miami, Florida on Friday, October 28, 2022
Madison, Wisconsin on Monday, October 31, 2022
Toledo, Ohio on Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Detroit, Michigan on Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Allentown, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Raleigh, North Carolina on Thursday, November 3, 2022
Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, November 4, 2022

For more information on the Protect Our Care “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour visit https://www.protectourcare.org/bus-tour/

Rep. Kathy Manning (D-NC-06), Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA-07), Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Chief Val Demings (D-FL-10), Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Rep. Joyce Marie Beatty (D-OH-03) Headlined “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour Events

On the fourth week of Protect Our Care’s 12,000-mile “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, “Care Force One” made stops in three states to celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to drive down health care costs and to let Americans know how and when they can access these new benefits. During each stop, national and local elected officials, health care advocates and storytellers discussed how the bill could save families thousands of dollars a year on health care. The groundbreaking legislation works to reduce racial inequities in health care, improve care for seniors, strengthen families, and save lives. Next week, the tour continues in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. 

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Here

GREENSBORO, NC

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congresswoman Kathy Manning, State Senator Gladys Robinson, and Health Care Advocates at Center City Park in downtown Greensboro to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Coverage:

• ABC 45 (Greensboro): Rep. Kathy Manning highlights importance of Inflation Reduction Act
• WGHP-TV (FOX): Rep. Kathy Manning Celebrates the Inflation Reduction Act

Watch the event here.

CHARLOTTE, NC

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congresswoman Alma Adams, State Senator Jeff Jackson, and Health Care Advocates in Charlotte, NC to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Watch the event here.

DULUTH, GA
Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux, HHS Regional Director Antrell Tyson, Local Doctors and Patient Advocates in Duluth, GA to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

Watch the event here.

COLUMBUS, GA
Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congressman Sanford Bishop and Patient Advocates in Columbus, GA to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Coverage:

• WTVM (ABC): ‘Protect Our Care’ bus tour makes stop in Columbus
• WTVM (ABC): Protect Our Care Bus Tour in Columbus
• WXTX (Fox): Protect Our Care Bus Tour in Columbus
• WLTZ (NBC): Protect Our Care Bus Tour in Columbus

Watch the event here.

ORLANDO, FL

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congressman Darren Soto, State Senator Victor Torres, and Health Care Advocates in Orlando, FL to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Watch the event here.

TAMPA, FL

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Chief Val Demings, Rep. Kathy Castor, Congresswoman Joyce Marie Beatty, and Health Care Advocates in Tampa, FL to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Coverage:

• WFLA-TB (NBC): Protect Our Care Care Force One Tampa Bus Tour Stop (preview clip)
• Great 38 (WTTA): Chief Val Demings, Rep. Kathy Castor to Join Protect Our Care in Tampa (preview clip)
• Florida Playbook: Tampa Bus Tour Stop with Chief Val Demings, Rep. Kathy Castor (preview clip)
• WFLA-TB (NBC): Rep. Val Demings campaigns in Tampa, talks affordable healthcare
• WMRD (Telemundo): Promueven leyWFLA-TV (CBS-Tampa): de reducción de
• WFLA-TV (CBS-Tampa): Rep. Val Demings campaigns in Tampa, talks affordable healthcare

Watch the event here.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by County Commissioner Jared Moskowitz, and Health Care Advocates in Ft. Lauderdale, FL to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Watch the event here.

Chief Val Demings, Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Congresswoman Joyce Marie Beatty Joined Protect Our Care on Nationwide Bus Tour to Celebrate The Inflation Reduction Act’s Historic Measures to Drive Down Health Care Costs for Floridians

WATCH THE EVENT HERE

Tampa, FL — This afternoon, Protect Our Care’s Care Force One arrived in Tampa to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. The groundbreaking legislation works to reduce racial inequities in health care, improve care for seniors, strengthen families, and save lives. During today’s event, Chief Val Demings, Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Congresswoman Joyce Marie Beatty explained how the bill lowers premiums for 13 million Americans, gives Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, lowers prescription drug prices for seniors, delivers relief to people with disabilities, people of color, and rural Americans, and how Floridians can access these savings. 

“I’m proud to be a leader in the fight to lower costs for Floridians and reduce the price of prescription drugs,” said Chief Val Demings. “As the daughter of a maid and a janitor, every dollar mattered in my home growing up. I’m proud that we worked to put Florida families over pharmaceutical company profits and helped save Floridians thousands of dollars on prescription drugs, health care, and household costs.”

“Passing the Inflation Reduction Act is a real godsend for millions of Florida families, particularly seniors who rely on Medicare,” said Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14th). “This cost-saving new law allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices, caps insulin at $35 and cuts taxes for millions of Florida families so they can save on their health insurance. I am proud Democrats delivered major cost-savings for Florida families at a time they need it.”  

“I was short on options when it came to my health care and was able to find an affordable plan on the health insurance marketplace specifically because of the tax credits that were afforded to me under the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Rory Noonan. “This is particularly important because I am a type one dibetic… it was important that I get a health care plan that was affordable for me on the limited income that I had while I was working part time and in school. I am just one of the hundreds of thousands of Floridians who benefitted from that bill and who were able to access care because of it.”

“The Affordable Care Act saved my life,” said Laura Packard. “Five years ago I walked into the doctor’s office with a nagging cough and walked out with a stage four cancer diagnosis — but I was lucky. I had good insurance through the ACA that paid for the chemotherapy and radiation that I needed. Now, the Inflation Reduction Act has made health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans like me. Through this landmark legislation, President Biden and Democrats in Congress capped premiums at 8.5 percent of our income and lowered prescription drug costs, paving the way for more affordable health care for years to come.” 

For more information, please visit protectourcare.org/bus-tour/.

You can watch the event here.

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One will make stops in: 

Bangor, Maine on Monday, October 3, 2022
Dover/Manchester, New Hampshire on Monday, October 3, 2022
Concord, New Hampshire on Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Hartford, Connecticut on Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Scranton, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Burlington County, New Jersey on Thursday, October 6, 2022
New Brunswick, New Jersey on Thursday, October 6, 2022
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Friday, October 7, 2022
Morgantown, West Virginia on Friday, October 7, 2022
Columbus, Ohio on Monday, October 10, 2022
Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, October 10, 2022
Flint, Michigan on Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Green Bay, Wisconsin on Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Eau Claire, Wisconsin on Thursday, October 13, 2022
St. Paul, Minnesota on Thursday, October 13, 2022
Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, October 14, 2022
Kansas City, Missouri on Friday, October 14, 2022
Reno, Nevada on Monday, October 17, 2022
Las Vegas, Nevada on Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Flagstaff, Arizona on Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Phoenix, Arizona on Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Tucson, Arizona on Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Albuquerque, New Mexico on Thursday, October 20, 2022
Denver, Colorado on Friday, October 21, 2022
Lakewood, Colorado on Friday, October 21, 2022
Raleigh, North Carolina on Monday, October 24, 2022
Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Augusta, Georgia on Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Savannah, Georgia on Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Orlando, Florida on Thursday, October 27, 2022
Tampa, Florida on Thursday, October 27, 2022
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Friday, October 28, 2022

Addressing systemic racial, ethnic, and other inequities in health care is among the most pressing issues in America. The causes of these inequities, and the corresponding actions needed to tackle them head on, are multi-faceted. As it stands, marginalized communities, including people of color, rural Americans, and people with disabilities, face worse access to quality, affordable health coverage, which contributes to dangerous health outcomes. This week, new research highlights the benefits of expanding and improving health coverage. Specifically, these studies examined how expanding Medicaid coverage, strengthening the ACA Navigator program, and making the delivery of community-led services more accessible can advance health equity. At the same time, findings about persistent disparities in maternal death, flu outcomes, advanced kidney disease, and heart failure treatment underscore the urgency of our unfinished business to ensure high-quality, affordable, and equitable health coverage is a right and not a privilege for everyone. Protect Our Care is committed to making health care a right for every American. Learn more about Protect Our Care’s work to advance health equity here. 

OPPORTUNITIES

University of Wisconsin Madison: ACA Navigator Program Boosted Insurance in Marginalized Communities. “The ACA navigator program is a program funded by the federal government that provides free, one-on-one assistance to help people understand their health insurance options and sign up for health insurance, including Medicaid coverage or coverage through the marketplaces established under the ACA. To measure the impact of funding the navigator program, a research team led by Rebecca Myerson, assistant professor of population health sciences, UW School of Medicine and Public Health, compared changes in coverage outcomes in counties that were more versus less exposed to the cuts. When funding was reduced from 2017 to 2019, enrollment in health insurance coverage – and particularly, marketplace coverage – decreased among lower-income adults, according to one of the papers Myerson’s team produced. Cuts to the navigator program also significantly decreased insurance coverage among adults younger than age 45, Hispanic adults and adults who speak a language other than English at home. In the counties studied, the estimated declines implied that about 109,000 people who prefer to use a language other than English lost health insurance coverage because of the cuts to the navigator program, Myerson said.” [University of Wisconsin Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, 10/19/22]

WRAL News: Expanding Medicaid Will Improve Health Care Equity for North Carolinians. “A 2021 poll conducted by Altarum found that more than 3 in 5 state residents experienced healthcare affordability burdens in the past year and more than 3 in 4 (78%) are worried about affording healthcare in the future. According to analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2021 as many as 9.4% of non-elderly North Carolinians were uninsured and faced the full financial burdens of their healthcare, despite living in a state with a wealth of medical care and research abilities; half of those uninsured were people of color. According to the North Carolina Justice Center, the uninsured rate among White North Carolinians is 9.6%, while 11% of Black state residents are uninsured. The greatest disparity though is among Latinx North Carolinians, for whom the uninsured rate is 30.3%. An analysis [also] published in the North Carolina Medical Journal found that as many as 20 of the 22 counties with the highest uninsured rates were rural. North Carolina is one of only a dozen states that has not yet expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health policy research organization, this would possibly cover up to 600,000 people in the state and as many as 372,400 currently uninsured non-elderly adults, the majority of whom live below the federal poverty level.” [WRAL News, 10/20/22]

AHA Newsroom: New Initiative to Prevent and Treat Strokes Focuses on Furthering Health Equity. “As part of the new initiative, American Heart Association staff and volunteer experts with support from the HCA Healthcare Foundation and HCA Healthcare community colleagues will work in 15 select communities (listed below) to implement community education. The nationwide initiative will also focus on stroke risk factor awareness and professional education projected through the lens of equitable health for all. Working closely with health care professional thought leaders, including those from HCA Healthcare, the Association will also develop accredited education programming that will be available to all health care professionals, and a specific learning collaborative with 10 HCA Healthcare facilities focused on continuously improving quality of care.” [AHA Newsroom, 10/17/22]

The Wenatchee World: Community Action Groups Help Increase COVID Vaccine Access and Reduce Health Care Racial Disparities. “In January 2021, Confluence turned turned to a community action group known as Parque Padrinos — ‘Godfathers of the Park’ — who had previously shown how community-led, grassroots advocacy could work. A partnership was born and soon the Confluence Health Foundation, a philanthropic organization that seeks to enhance and support Confluence Health’s ability to provide safe and superior healthcare close to home, pledged $200,000 to the cause, partnering with a local company, Teresita’s Consulting, to spearhead the effort to provide multigenerational, community-focused outreach. Later, a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant was also obtained. With a combined 4,721 hours worked and 7,491 miles of travel on the original grant from the Confluence Health Foundation, the Madrinas de Salud were busy. All told, their efforts yielded over a thousand directly-scheduled appointments, reached out to 300 employers, and held more than 100 community presentations. Between October 2021 and June 2022, the Madrinas facilitated 3,742 vaccinations. Through their dedication and partnership with Confluence Health, the effort bore fruit. From a rate of 43% of the COVID-19 ICU patients at Central Washington Hospital identifying as Latino at the end of August 2021 despite making up only 30% of the population, that number dropped to 20% or less within only one month. Across the state as of September 2022, 64.2% of Latinos have initiated their primary series of the vaccine; in Chelan County, that number is 65.6%; in Douglas County, 67.7%; and in Okanogan County, 76.4%, making North Central Washington a leader in vaccination rates.” [The Wenatchee World, 10/17/22]

CHALLENGES

Axios: One in Four Maternal Deaths Due to COVID According to Federal Watchdog Group. “COVID-19 contributed to a quarter of maternal deaths in the first two years of the pandemic, with Black pregnant women experiencing a mortality rate nearly three times higher than their white peers, according to an oversight report to Congress released on Wednesday. The findings from the Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan federal watchdog, used CDC data on births and deaths in the U.S., including maternal deaths in 2020 and 2021 where COVID was a contributing cause. The CDC has found COVID increases the risk of delivering a stillborn baby and that people who are pregnant are more likely to have severe illness from the virus than those who aren’t. In a separate CDC analysis from January 2020 to December 2021, pregnant women were five times more likely to be admitted to an ICU than non-pregnant women.” [Axios, 10/19/22]

Axios: Marginalized Groups Are More Likely to Be Hospitalized Due to the Flu. “Black, Hispanic and Indigenous adults are more likely to get hospitalized for the flu and less likely to be vaccinated against it compared to white adults, according to a new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday. The study, which analyzed data from the last 13 flu seasons, found that Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native adults were 1.2 to 1.8 times more likely to get hospitalized compared to white adults — and had more severe outcomes. During the 2021–22 season, 53.9% of white adults were vaccinated compared to 37.9% of Hispanic adults, 40.9% of American Indian and Alaska Native adults and 42% of Black adults. This disparity — which was present among those who reported having medical insurance, a personal health care provider and a routine medical check-up in the past year — was largely attributed to ‘distrust of the medical system, misperceptions about vaccine safety, and higher levels of concern about side effects,’ researchers wrote.” [Axios, 10/18/22]

Axios: Patients Within Marginalized Groups More Likely to Advance to Kidney Disease. “The review of more than 650,000 patient records found that Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Black, Native American and Hispanic patients with diabetes had disproportionately higher rates of chronic kidney disease than white patients. Researchers examined electronic health records from Providence and UCLA patients from 2015 to 2020 to see how many with diabetes clinically progressed to chronic kidney disease. Rates were 60% higher in Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians than whites; 40% higher in Blacks; 33% higher in American Indians and 25% higher in Hispanic people. Less than 10% of patients who had early-stage kidney disease were aware of it, lead author Katherine Tuttle told Axios. This means that annual testing is falling by the wayside, Tuttle said, which delays the beginning of treatment.” [Axios, 10/13/22]

CNN: Study Finds Black Heart Failure Patients Less Likely to Obtain the Devices and Transplants They Need. “A study published Wednesday in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure finds that among a group of adults with heart failure, White people were twice as likely as Black people to receive a heart transplant or a ventricular assist device, a mechanical heart pump often used for patients with end-stage heart failure. The data showed that a heart transplantation or a ventricular assist device was performed in 11% of the Black patients compared with 22% of the White patients, although death rates were similar in both: 18% in Black patients and 13% in White patients. The researchers noted that patients’ preferences for ventricular assist devices, heart transplantation or other therapies did not affect the results. Experts in the field say the findings offer confirmation of what doctors have been seeing for years.” [CNN, 10/20/22]

Thanks to the Biden Administration and Democrats in Congress, the Inflation Reduction Act Extended Premium Subsidies to Millions of Americans Through 2025

On November 1, the open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces will begin. Americans have until December 15 to enroll in coverage that starts at the beginning of 2023, and several state-based exchanges will allow for enrollment beyond this deadline. Under new legislation recently passed by Congress, high-quality coverage through the ACA marketplaces is more affordable than ever. 

President Biden and Democrats in Congress have been laser focused on making health care more affordable for Americans. The Inflation Reduction Act lowers health care costs and expands eligibility for millions of Americans. In 2021, the American Rescue Plan expanded premium subsidy eligibility to those making over 400 percent of the federal poverty line and capped premium costs at 8.5 percent of family income across the board. The Inflation Reduction Act extends those subsidies through 2025, keeping a lifeline available for families across the country. 13 million Americans are now covered by the ACA, with 3.2 million paying less than $10 per month for premiums. President Biden also recently finalized a fix to the “family glitch,” which will allow even more families to access affordable coverage.

These enhanced premium subsidies, as well as substantial funding increases for Marketplace education and outreach, have boosted the number of people of color who are now covered by health insurance. Black Americans saw a nearly 50 percent increase in health care enrollment since 2020, Hispanic Americans saw a 53 percent increase, and Alaska Native Americans saw 32 percent increase. Ahead of this open enrollment period, the Biden administration announced the single-largest investment ever in the Navigators program, to help connect even more people to coverage,with a focus on outreach to racial and ethnic minorities, people in rural communities, LGBTQ+ communities, and other particularly underserved communities.

The open enrollment period is crucial for not only those looking for coverage, but also for families who may already be covered. At a time of rising costs, even people who already have health coverage should go to HealthCare.gov to check if more affordable plan options are available to them.

BY THE NUMBERS: Americans Will Save Big On Health Care

• In 2021, 14.5 million people signed up for coverage through an ACA marketplace, the highest number of Americans to ever enroll during open enrollment
• 13 million Americans, or 89 percent of people with an ACA plan, will save an average of $800 per year and $2,400 per family on health insurance premiums
• 3.2 million Americans now have health coverage for less than $10 per month

What’s New This Open Enrollment:

Caps on the Amount of Money Families Pay for Health Insurance. The Inflation Reduction Act ensures families pay no more than 8.5 percent of their income towards coverage. This helps middle and working-class families, as well as older Americans, who have traditionally faced excessive premiums or live in high-premium areas. Before the American Rescue Plan, middle-class families spent an average of 15 percent of their incomes on health insurance. The subsidies are designed to benefit those who need it most, which means the higher your income, the smaller your tax credits become. A family whose health insurance premiums alone — not including deductibles — are less than 8.5 percent of their income receive no tax credits at all. 

Addressing Health Care Equity By Expanding Coverage for Communities of Color. The Center on Budget Policy and Priorities estimates the increased savings continued under the Inflation Reduction Act will cause a sharp decline in the uninsured rate across every racial group, with one in three uninsured Black adults expected to gain coverage. Prior to the American Rescue Plan, more than 11 million uninsured adults were eligible for premium tax credits, with people of color making up roughly half of the group. The premium savings continued in the Inflation Reduction Act have made more than 65 percent of uninsured Black adults eligible for zero dollar premium plans and 75 percent eligible for plans less than $50 a month. For uninsured Hispanic and Latino adults, now more than 68 percent are eligible for zero dollar premium plans and nearly 80 percent can access plans for less than $50 a month. Health coverage is imperative to reducing racial disparities across the nation. 

Eliminating Premiums For Low-Wage Workers. The Inflation Reduction Act ensures no American with an income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level buying their coverage on the Marketplace pays a premium.

Cutting Costs For Rural America. Thanks to the provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, roughly 65 percent of rural Americans have access to zero dollar premium health coverage and more than 76 percent are able to find a plan for less than $50 a month, narrowing the coverage differences between rural and urban America.

No More Family Glitch. A new rule to fix the “family glitch,” where families were blocked from receiving premium subsidies if someone in their household had access to affordable health care through employment, even if the whole family wasn’t covered by that insurance, was recently implemented by the Biden Administration. The new rule will more realistically determine what is considered affordable for families, allowing an additional 1 million people to be eligible for affordable health care on the marketplace and receive premium subsidies.

In Competitive Races, Democratic Candidates Are Touting Inflation Reduction Act’s Measures to Lower Drug Prices and Health Care Premiums

The issue of health care is never far from the top of mind for working people. They want to go to sleep at night without worrying about how they can afford their insurance premiums or life-sustaining prescription drugs. As the midterms approach, the latest polling makes clear that the American people are judging candidates by their positions on lowering health insurance and drug costs.

After a landmark year in making health care more affordable, accessible, and equitable, President Biden and Democrats have proven that they are delivering for the American people. While Democrats are touting the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Republicans are fighting to keep costs high for families – vowing to repeal the new law, including its provisions to lower health care and prescription drug costs, as their first order of business if they win a majority in the midterm elections. 

Democrats on the campaign trail have taken note. As the polling shows, health care is the most popular legislative accomplishment of the Democratic Congress. Recent headlines from across the nation and ad spending show that Democrats running in 2022 are promoting their work to deliver lower costs for health care and prescription drugs – a sharp contrast to Republicans, who are instead protecting the profits of the special interests and drug companies. 

Recent Polling Shows the Importance of Health Care for Voters

NBC News Poll Finds Lowering Health Care Costs Is The Most Important Position A Candidate Can Embrace. In the newly-released NBC poll, the top policy that any candidate for office can embrace is “lowering health care costs and prescription drug prices” – making people 84% more likely to vote for you.

Surveys From Gallup And Navigator Research Say Health Care Is A Top Priority. A recent Gallup and West Health survey found that nine out of 10 Americans say that a candidate’s plan to reduce the costs of prescription drugs is very or somewhat important in determining their vote. In the last Navigator Research survey, the issue of health care was #3 – behind inflation and jobs – among independents. 

Navigator Research and FOX News Polls Find Democrats Have A Significant Advantage On Health Care. In the past, health care was an issue that both parties competed for, but that’s no longer true. The American people have clearly decided that Democrats have an obvious advantage on the issue of health care. The latest Navigator Research survey found people trust Joe Biden and the Democratic Party by 15-points over the Republican Party (51-36%) on the issue of “lowering health care costs” and the Inflation Reduction Act maintains overwhelming public support by 41-points (67-26%) including among independents (68-23%). Similarly, a recent FOX NEWS poll found that people think Democrats would do a better job handling health care than Republicans by 17-points (55-38%) – one of the largest gaps they’ve measured on the issue in the last 15 years.

Candidates Are Focused on Health Care

U.S. Reps. Susan Wild, Chris Pappas And Steven Horsford in Newsweek (Opinion): Inflation Is High, Why Do Republicans Want You to Pay More for Medicine? “While there are many important components in this legislation that will help millions of people, the provisions related to drug prices and health care are truly historic. They deliver on the many years of promises to lower drug prices and build on our work to make health care more affordable for everyone.” [Newsweek, 10/18/22] 

(CA) Times in San Diego: President Biden Celebrates Victories Over Big Pharma. “In his second day in the Southland, President Joe Biden traveled to Orange County Friday and promoted his administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug and medical costs for families. There he highlighted what he called cost-saving measures in the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes provisions allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, caps the cost senior citizens are charged for prescriptions and lowers insulin prescriptions to $35 for Medicare beneficiaries. He also criticized Republicans for opposing the inflation legislation, warning that they are intent on undoing its provisions if they regain control in Washington as a result of the Nov. 8 midterms.” [Times in San Diego, 10/14/22]

(FL) The West Volusia Beacon (Opinion): Val Demings Continues to Support Lowering Health Care Costs. “Marco Rubio is bad for your bank account, and he is bad for your health. Should Republicans gain control of the Senate, the recently enacted cap on the cost of insulin would also likely disappear. Bad for Florida, bad for your budgets. On the other hand, U.S. Rep. Val Demings, Rubio’s opponent in the upcoming election, has demonstrated her consistent support of containing health care costs for all Floridians by her support of the recently enacted “Inflation Reduction Act,” which includes the cost-saving components that Mr. Rubio’s co-sponsored bill would repeal. Her “yes” vote helped save Florida families potentially tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket health care expenses per year, and ensured their ability to continue to have access to the drugs and services they require to maintain their health.” [The West Volusia Beacon, 10/25/22]

(WA) King 5: Sen. Patty Murray Touts Inflation Reduction Act in Recent Debate. “Murray said she wants to continue working for Washington families. In her candidate statement, Murray said she will always stand up to those who want to “roll back workers’ rights” or ban abortions. She also said she wants to lower families’ costs for healthcare and childcare. When asked what Congress should do to address rising costs, Murray said she’s focused on lowering costs for families as we “get through this global challenge we’re facing.” She said she’s worked to lower prescription drug costs. The biggest reduction in prescription drugs was seen in the Inflation Reduction Act, she said, also noting the bill to cap insulin copays at $35.” [King 5, 10/23/22]

(IL) Chicago Tribune: Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi Supports the IRA in Most Recent Candidate Forum. “He went on to share his accomplishments in Congress. ‘I’m proud of my bill that became a law that modernizes vocational education for 11 million students nationally,’ Krishnamoorthi said. ‘I’m proud of my work for seniors to finally lower prescription drug prices starting in January and I’m proud to stand with women—if they don’t have control of their bodies, they cannot achieve the American dream, so I fight for their reproductive freedom.’ Both candidates addressed how inflation is hurting Americans. Krishnamoorthi shared how he feels the Inflation Reduction Act will bring down the cost of gas, groceries and prescription drugs, and impact energy and health care costs.” [Chicago Tribune, 10/25/22]

(WI) Up North News: HEALTHCARE: Statewide Democrats Show Support For ‘Lower Costs, Better Care.’ “Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, Attorney General Josh Kaul, and Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Milwaukee area residents who will benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act. Barnes took sharp aim at his opponent in the race to serve Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate for the next six years. ‘Working Wisconsinites deserve another Senator who understands firsthand the challenges they’re facing and who will go to the mat to fight for them,’ said Barnes. ‘Not the Big Pharma and insurance company donors Ron Johnson has prioritized for the last 12 years.’” [Up North News, 10/14/22] 

(NH) WMUR: Kuster, Burns Share Competing Ideas On Cutting Costs Of Prescription Drugs. “A fight over prescription drug costs is shaping up in New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District…On the campaign trail Tuesday, Kuster highlighted her vote in favor of the legislative package known as the Inflation Reduction Act, one element of which will allow Medicare to negotiate how much it pays for prescription drugs.” [WMUR, 10/4/22] 

Campaign Ad Spending Shows the Importance of Health Care

Ad Spending Demonstrates That Democrats Are Laser Focused On Health Care. The latest data from the Wesleyan Media Project shows that health care and prescription drugs, combined, is the biggest topic in pro-Dem ads for the US Senate – health care (35.2%) and prescription drugs (19.6%). The same is true among Democratic ads in the U.S. House with health care (25.9%) and prescription drugs (16.6%) combined to be the top issue in advertising. Last week, New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassen started airing a new ad touting her work to ‘take on the big drug companies to break their hold on outrageous drug prices.” In Georgia, Senator Raphael Warnock has an ad about actually getting something done for seniors by lowering prescription drug costs. 

Republicans Are Playing Defense On Health Care. End Citizens United’s recent ad in Maine contrasts Congressman Jared Golden with his opponent on the issue of prescription drug prices. And vulnerable Republicans are on defense with ads like this from House Majority PAC highlighting Congressman David Valadao’s votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act and to raise prescription drug prices.

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR OCTOBER 27 AND 28, 2022***

Care Force One Rolls into Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale to Celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act’s Health Care Measures

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Live Here.

Florida – U.S. Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Val Demings (D-FL-10) Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), and Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03) along with Broward County Commissioner Jared Moskowitz will join health care advocates and local residents as part of Protect Our Care’s nationwide bus tour celebrating the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to drive down health care costs for millions of working families and seniors. At the events, speakers will discuss how the bill lowers premiums for 13 million Americans, gives Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for seniors, delivers relief to people with disabilities, people of color, and rural Americans. Speakers will also let Floridians know how and when they can access these new benefits.

The “Lower Costs, Better Care” five-week tour will thank lawmakers who fought tirelessly to pass this historic bill and call out Republicans in Congress for rejecting measures to lower costs for millions of working families and seniors and addressing deep inequities in our health care system. Lawmakers have long worked to lower health costs and rein in high drug prices — but President Biden and Democrats in Congress actually got the job done— with help on the way in just a matter of months. Read more about the Inflation Reduction Act’s health care provisions here.

THURSDAY

ORLANDO, FL

WHO:
Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL-09)
Laura Packard, Healthcare Storyteller
Michael Womack, Protect Our Care

WHERE: Care Force One, Orlando City Hall, 400 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801

WHEN: Thursday, October 27th at 10:00 AM

TAMPA, FL

WHO:
Congresswoman Val Demings (D-FL-10)
Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL-14)
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03)
Laura Packard, Healthcare Storyteller
Michael Womack, Protect Our Care

WHERE: Care Force One, Lykes Park, ​​241 E Madison St, Tampa, FL 33602

WHEN: Thursday, October 27th at 4:00 PM

FRIDAY

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL

WHO:
Broward County Commissioner Jared Moskowitz
Laura Packard, Healthcare Storyteller
Michael Womack, Protect Our Care

WHERE: Care Force One, Esplanade Park, 400 SW 2nd St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

WHEN: Friday, October 28th at 10:00 AM

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022***

Care Force One Rolls into Atlanta and Columbus on Wednesday to Celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act’s Health Care Measures

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Live Here.

Atlanta, GA – On Wednesday, October 26, U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02) and Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA-07) will join health care advocates and local residents as part of Protect Our Care’s nationwide bus tour to celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to drive down health care costs for millions of working families and seniors. At Wednesday’s events, speakers will discuss how the bill lowers premiums for 13 million Americans, gives Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for seniors, delivers relief to people with disabilities, people of color, and rural Americans. Speakers will also let Georgians know how and when they can access these new benefits.

The “Lower Costs, Better Care” five-week tour will thank lawmakers who fought tirelessly to pass this historic bill and call out Republicans in Congress for rejecting measures to lower costs for millions of working families and seniors and addressing deep inequities in our health care system. Lawmakers have long worked to lower health costs and rein in high drug prices — but President Biden and Democrats in Congress actually got the job done— with help on the way in just a matter of months. Read more about the Inflation Reduction Act’s health care provisions here.

ATLANTA, GA

WHO:
Congressmember Carolyn Bourdeaux
Laura Packard, Executive Director, Health Care Voices
Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, Atlanta-based oncologist and internist
Sarah Cherry, Medicare beneficiary reliant on insulin
Concerned Georgians

WHERE: Care Force One, Gas South Arena, Lot A parking lot, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway Duluth, Georgia 30097

WHEN: Wednesday, October 26 at 9:00 AM ET

COLUMBUS, GA

WHO:
Congressmember Sanford Bishop
Laura Packard, Executive Director, Health Care Voices
Bobby L. Fuse, Jr., Chairman, Housing Authority of Americus, retired school system administrator
Saundra Ellison, retired Muscogee County educator, Medicare beneficiary reliant on insulin
Concerned community leaders

WHERE: Care Force One, 2429 Norris Road, Columbus, GA 31907

WHEN: Wednesday, October 26 at 1:00 PM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY OCTOBER 25th AT 10:00AM***

Care Force One Rolls into Charlotte as Part of Nationwide “Lower Costs, Better Care” Tour

Charlotte, NC — Today, Congresswoman Adams, State Senator Jeff Jackson, health care advocates and local residents will join Protect Our Care’s nationwide bus tour to celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to drive down health care costs for millions of working families and seniors. At next week’s event, speakers will discuss how the bill lowers prescription drug prices and premiums for millions, expands access to care, and let North Carolinains know how and when they can access these new benefits. The event will take place in front of Care Force One at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center on Tuesday, October 25th at 10:00AM.

WHO:
Congresswoman Alma Adams
State Senator Jeff Jackson
Laura Packard, Executive Director of Health Care Voter
Stacy Staggs, President of Little Lobbyists North Carolina
DonnaMarie Woodson, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHAT: Protect Our Care North Carolina “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour Press Conference

WHERE: Care Force One, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E. 4th Street Charlotte

WHEN: October 25th at 10:00AM

The bus, called Care Force One, will travel 12,000 miles across the country, with more than 40 events in 21 states. Protect Our Care’s national bus tour is promoting the new benefits available to the American people thanks to the work of President Biden, Congresswoman Adams, and dozens of Democratic lawmakers who championed the Inflation Reduction Act. During each event, Protect Our Care will also call out Republicans like Congressman Ted Budd for rejecting measures to improve care, lower costs, and address racial inequities in health care for the American people.

For more information on the Protect Our Care “Lower Cost, Better Care” Bus Tour visit  https://www.protectourcare.org/bus-tour/

U.S. Representatives Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Alma Adams (NC-12), Val Demings (FL-10), Darren Soto (FL-09), Lucy McBath (GA-06), and Kathy Manning (NC-06) Will Headline “Lower Costs, Better Care” Events Across Three States

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Live Here.

On the four week of Protect Our Care’s 12,000-mile “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, “Care Force One” will make stops in three states to celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to drive down health care costs and to let Americans know how and when they can access these new benefits. During each stop, national and local elected officials, health care advocates and storytellers will educate Americans about how the bill could save them thousands of dollars a year on health care.

The “Lower Costs, Better Care” five-week tour will thank lawmakers who fought tirelessly to pass this historic bill and call out Republican lawmakers for rejecting measures to lower costs for millions of working families and seniors and addressing deep inequities in our health care system. Lawmakers have long worked to lower health costs and rein in high drug prices — but President Biden and Democrats in Congress actually got the job done— with help on the way in just a matter of months. Read more about the Inflation Reduction Act’s health care provisions here. 

 

MONDAY

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA: 

WHO:
U.S. Representative Kathy Manning (NC-06)
State Senator Gladys Robinson
Bill Dworkin, Alliance for Retired Americans
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: Center City Park: 200 N Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27401

WHEN: Monday, October 24, 2022 at 3:00 PM 

TUESDAY

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Alma Adams (NC-12)
State Senator Jeff Jackson
Stacy Staggs, Little Lobbyists;
DonnaMarie Woodson, cancer survivor and patient storyteller
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate 

WHERE: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center: 600 E 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28202

WHEN: Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 10:00 AM

WEDNESDAY

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: 

WHO:
U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06)
Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux
Rep. Hank Johnson
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: Gwinnett County Arena: 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097

WHEN: Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 9:00 AM

COLUMBUS, GEORGIA: 

WHO:
U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Nedra Fortson, RN
Tomsa Thompson
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate 

WHERE: TBD

WHEN: Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 1:00 PM

THURSDAY

ORLANDO, FLORIDA: 

WHO:
U.S. Representative Darren Soto (FL-09)
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate 

WHERE: Orlando City Hall: 400 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801

WHEN: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 10:00 AM 

TAMPA, FLORIDA: 

WHO:
U.S. Representative Val Demings (FL-10)
U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14)
Rory Noonan
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate 

WHERE: Lykes Park: 241 E Madison St, Tampa, FL 33602

WHEN: Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 4:00 PM 

FRIDAY

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA: 

WHO:
County Commissioner Jared Moskowitz
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: TBD

WHEN: Friday, October 28, 2022 at 10:00 AM 

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One will make stops in:
Bangor, Maine on Monday, October 3, 2022
Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Monday, October 3, 2022
Concord, New Hampshire on Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Hartford, Connecticut on Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Scranton, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, October 5, 2022
New Brunswick, New Jersey on Thursday, October 6, 2022
Marlton, New Jersey on Thursday, October 6, 2022
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Friday, October 7, 2022
Morgantown, West Virginia on Friday, October 7, 2022
Columbus, Ohio on Monday, October 10, 2022
Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, October 10, 2022
Flint, Michigan on Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Green Bay, Wisconsin on Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Eau Claire, Wisconsin on Thursday, October 13, 2022
St. Paul, Minnesota on Thursday, October 13, 2022
Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, October 14, 2022
Kansas City, Kansas on Friday, October 14, 2022
Reno, Nevada on Monday, October 17, 2022
Las Vegas, Nevada on Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Flagstaff, Arizona on Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Phoenix, Arizona on Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Tucson, Arizona on Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Albuquerque, New Mexico on Thursday, October 20, 2022
Boulder/Fort Collins, Colorado on Thursday, October 20, 2022
Denver, Colorado on Friday, October 21, 2022
Raleigh, North Carolina on Monday, October 24, 2022
Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Augusta, Georgia on Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Savannah, Georgia on Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Orlando, Florida on Thursday, October 27, 2022
Tampa, Florida on Thursday, October 27, 2022
Miami, Florida on Friday, October 28, 2022

TBA: October 31-November 4, 2022

For more information on the Protect Our Care “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour visit https://www.protectourcare.org/bus-tour/