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November 2023

ashoup
In News, Report, Research

NEW REPORT: Reps. Castro and Gallego, UnidosUS Action Fund, and Protect Our Care Discuss Report on the Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act for Latino Families

Watch the Full Event Here.

Read the Full Report in English Here. 

Read the Full Report in Spanish Here.

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-03) joined UnidosUS Action Fund and Protect Our Care for a press call discussing the importance of accessing lower healthcare costs through the ongoing Medicare and Affordable Care Act open enrollment periods, and how the Inflation Reduction Act is lowering health care costs for Latino families. During the call, UnidosUS Action Fund and Protect Our Care released a report detailing how the Inflation Reduction Act is benefiting Latinos nationwide.

According to the report, Latinos face disproportionately high adverse health outcomes with Latino seniors being the most likely to experience affordability challenges of any racial/ethnic group in America. The Inflation Reduction Act addresses this challenge by lowering the out-of-pocket cost of health coverage and prescription drugs, which will especially help Latinos who face barriers to care due to unaffordable costs.

The report also spotlights the states with the highest Latino populations, including Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas. The report also details how half of the first ten drugs selected to have lower prices negotiated by Medicare are disproportionately taken by Latino Medicare enrollees. 

“Last year, Congressman Gallego and I worked with our Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, a historic investment in good jobs, affordable health care, and better lives for America’s families and seniors. More than a year later, the Inflation Reduction Act is capping prescription drug costs and lowering health care premiums for millions of Americans, especially in Latino communities that have disproportionately struggled with access to care,” said Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20). “As we approach the final weeks of open enrollment, I strongly urge all Americans to visit Healthcare.gov and Medicare.gov and check out their coverage options today.”

“The report from Protect Our Care and UnidosUS underscores what we have long known: that the Inflation Reduction Act is saving Latinos in Arizona hundreds of dollars on health care,” said Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-03). “Insulin is now capped at $35 a month, drug companies are finally being held accountable for their price gouging tactics, and even more savings are coming. I look forward to continuing my work to build on these improvements and lower prescription drug and health care costs for all Arizonans.”

“Increasing engagement between the Latino community and the benefits offered by programs like Medicare and the Inflation Reduction Act is imperative, not only to ensure the health of our communities but to our financial health and economic prosperity as a nation,” said Rafael Collazo, Executive Director of the UnidosUS Action Fund.

“I have lived with Type One Diabetes now for almost 28 years, so I have been through not having insurance, having to insulin ration – I understand those struggles,” said Yamelisa Taveras, founder of The Unidos Foundation. “I understand what our community needs, which is why I founded The Unidos Foundation. So seeing the huge changes, especially the insulin cap, I know that is something that benefits me personally, but it definitely benefits a great number of individuals who live within my community. These changes are necessary and we need to support them. ” 

“The Inflation Reduction Act is a game-changer, especially for Latino families,” said Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care. “Between lowering premium costs for families, capping insulin costs and drug costs for seniors, penalizing drug companies for egregious price hikes, and giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, the benefits of this historic legislation are already being seen across the nation. Thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress, not only will Latino seniors and families save thousands of dollars a year, but they will also be able to access the health care they need and deserve.”

“I was paying $780 in insurance, but that doesn’t include all my medicines for my asthma and I was not yet old enough to be on Medicare,” said Ana Valenzuela, Deputy Director of the Arizona LULAC. “Luckily, I was on Medicare when I was diagnosed with cancer. And eventually, the Inflation Reduction Act will limit my out-of-pocket spending to $2,000. The Inflation Reduction Act is really working for a lot of us. We need these programs that are really going to help our health care. Like President Biden said, ‘We are stronger as a Nation when we work together to lift everyone’s well-being.’”

ashoup
In News, Press Call

PRESS CALL: UnidosUS Action Fund and Protect Our Care Release Report on the Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on Latino Families

Rep. Joaquin Castro and Rep. Ruben Gallego will lead discussion on the importance of participating in Medicare open enrollment and leveraging the Inflation Reduction Act to bridge healthcare inequities.

Washington, D.C. — UnidosUS Action Fund and Protect Our Care will host a virtual press conference on Nov. 15 at 3 P.M. ET / Noon PT to discuss the open-enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act and Medicare and how the Inflation Reduction Act is benefiting Latinos nationwide. The conversation will feature Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX 20th District) and Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ 3rd District). 

The Inflation Reduction Act works to bridge the healthcare gap and improve access to medication by improving prescription drug coverage and lowering drug prices in Medicare. Americans pay 2 to 3 times more for their prescription drugs than people in other wealthy countries leading to racial and ethnic health inequities. States with the highest Latino populations like California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Florida and Texas benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act as half of the drugs selected for negotiation treat conditions that disproportionately impact Latinos.

DOWNLOAD: Lowering Health Care Costs for Latinos: How the Inflation Reduction Act Makes Coverage and Prescription Drugs More Affordable

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX 20th District)
Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ 3rd District)
Rafael Collazo, Executive Director, UnidosUS Action Fund
Yamelisa Taveras, founder, The Unidos Foundation
Ana Valenzuela, Deputy Director, Arizona LULAC
Leslie Dach, Chair, Protect Our Care

WHAT: UnidosUS Action Fund and Protect Our Care Press Conference to discuss ACA and Medicare open enrollment and Inflation Reduction Act benefits to recipients.

WHERE: Virtual Conference via Zoom registration

WHEN: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 3 P.M. ET // 12:00 P.M. PT

WHY: The Inflation Reduction Act has made health care and prescription drugs more affordable for more people in the United States and for Latinos in particular. Latino seniors are most likely to experience affordability challenges with the Inflation Reduction Act than any racial/ethnic group in America.

  • Latinos are among the most vulnerable to needing high-cost prescriptions. 
  • Latino seniors are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to report difficulty affording prescription medications than their non-Hispanic White counterparts. 
  • Latino seniors are among the least likely of any racial/ethnic group to have ever received a shingles vaccine compared to their non-Hispanic White, Black, and Asian counterparts.
  • Latinos are 1.7 times more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to have been diagnosed with diabetes.
  • Latinos are twice as likely to be hospitalized for treatment of end-stage renal disease related to diabetes compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts.
  • Latinos are more likely to have higher levels of disability-related diabetes (3.2%) and hypertension (2.7%) compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts.
  • Latinos are among the most likely to have activity limitations due to arthritis of any racial/ethnic group.
ashoup
In News

Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” Tour Reaches The End of the Road After Three Weeks of Educating Seniors Across the Nation

Medicare-A-Van Traveled To 10 States, Made 22 Stops, and Covered Nearly 7,000 Miles in Three Weeks

Over the last three weeks, Protect Our Care’s Medicare-A-Van traveled nearly 7,000 miles during the 10-state, 22-stop “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour to educate seniors across the nation about new benefits and savings thanks to legislation signed into law last year by President Biden. Protect Our Care also made headlines across the nation educating seniors on the new benefits under the Inflation Reduction Act, including free vaccines, $35 insulin caps, protections from outrageous price hikes, and lower drug costs thanks to Medicare negotiation. 

Protect Our Care was joined by one lieutenant governor, two state senators, one state representative, one director from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, four regional directors from the Department of Health and Human Services, nine local officials, and many health care advocates. Headliners of the events included Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Dr. Meena Seshamani, Director of the Center for Medicare at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and HHS Regional Directors Michael Cabonargi (Region 5), Antrell Tyson (Region 4), Dara Kass (Region 2), and Dr. Jeffrey Reynoso (Region 9).

Watch All Tour Stops Here

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK

State Senator John Mannion and Syracuse Common Council President Helen Hudson joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at Syracuse City Hall to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Coverage:

  • Spectrum News CNY: Protect Our Care Medicare is Better Than Ever Van Tour Stops in Syracuse

Watch the event here.

NEW WINDSOR, NEW YORK

State Senator James Skoufis joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Marasco Senior Center in New Windsor to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Coverage:

  • MidHudson News: Protect Our Care’s Medicare is Better Than Ever tour rolls into Orange County
  • News12 Westchester: Protect Our Care Medicare is Better Than Ever Van Tour Stops in Westchester

Watch the event here.

WESTCHESTER, NEW YORK

Westchester County Executive George Latimer and HHS Regional Director Dara Kass joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Theodore D. Young Community Center in White Plains to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA

Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at Sheeley’s Drug Store in Scranton to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Watch the event here.

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Heinz-Menaker Senior Center in Harrisburg to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Coverage:

  • WGAL (NBC): Medicare is Better Than Ever Tour in Harrisburg
  • WTAE (ABC) Medicare is Better Than Ever Tour in Harrisburg
  • WBNG (CBS) Medicare is Better Than Ever Tour in Harrisburg
  • KSLA (CBS) Medicare is Better Than Ever Tour in Harrisburg
  • WPMT (FOX): Medicare is Better Than Ever Tour in Harrisburg
  • PACast: Medicare is Better Than Ever Tour in Harrisburg
  • 21News (CBS): Medicare is Better Than Ever Tour Touts Savings for Seniors
  • WGAL (NBC): Event touts Medicare improvements that could help seniors save thousands on prescription drugs

Watch the event here.

FLINT, MICHIGAN

HHS Regional Director Michael Cabonargi joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Brennan Senior Center in Flint to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

LANSING, MICHIGAN

HHS Regional Director Michael Cabonargi joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Coverage:

  • WLNS (CBS): Preview: “Medicare is Better Than Ever” Tour Stops in Lansing
  • WLAJ (ABC): Preview: Medicare is Better Than Ever Tour Visits Lansing
  • WILX (NBC): Medicare Helpers Tour The Nation
  • WILX 10 (NBC): Non-profit stops in Lansing while touring nation on helping seniors with Medicare

Watch the event here.

MADISON, WISCONSIN

HHS Regional Director Michael Cabonargi joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Goodman Community Center in Madison to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Watch the event here.

Coverage:

  • WisPolitics: Protect Our Care: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Regional Administrator headlines “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour stop in Madison

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

HHS Regional Director Michael Cabonargi joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Washington Park Senior Center in Milwaukee to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Watch the event here.

HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA

Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour with health care advocates at Ralph Sampson Park in Harrisonburg to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

ROANOKE, VIRGINIA

Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea and Delegate Sam Rasoul joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour with health care advocates at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Roanoke to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Coverage:

  • WDBJ (CBS): Medicare is Better Than Ever Tour Stops in Roanoke

Watch the event here.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

State Representative Sarah Crawford joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour with health care advocates at Moore Square Park in Raleigh to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Coverage:

  • WNCN (CBS) The Medicare is Better than Ever Van Tour comes to Raleigh

Watch the event here.

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

Mayor Pro Tem Yvonne Johnson joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour with health care advocates at City Center Park in Greensboro to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Watch the event here.

EAST POINT, GEORGIA

HHS Regional Director Antrell Tyson headlined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour with state officials and health care advocates at the H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multipurpose Facility in East Point to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Coverage:

  • Marietta Daily Journal: Chairman Robb Pitts Stopped by East Point as Part of Tour to prove ‘Medicare is Better Than Ever’

Watch the event here.

LITHONIA, GEORGIA

HHS Regional Director Antrell Tyson, Demetrius E. McCoy with DeKalb Commissioner Mereda Johnson’s office and Kathy Register with Congressman Hank Johnson’s office joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Lou Walker Senior Center in Stonecrest to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Watch the event here.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Dr. Meena Seshamani, Director of the Center for Medicare at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS, joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Valle del Sol Community Health Center in Central Phoenix to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Coverage:

  • KJZZ (NPR): In Phoenix yesterday, Medicare Director touted new benefits to seniors

Watch the event here.

TUCSON, ARIZONA

Dr. Meena Seshamani, Director of the Center for Medicare at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS, joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Tucson Medical Center to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Watch the event here.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Vida Lin, Asian Community Development Council President, joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Las Vegas Integrative Medicine Clinic to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Watch the event here.

RENO, NEVADA

Shuyi Huang, Asian Community Development Council Family Services Manager, joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Wat Buddhapradeep Temple in Sparks to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Watch the event here.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

HHS Regional Director Dr. Reynoso, Region 9, joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the California State Capitol in Sacramento to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Coverage:

  • KCRA (NBC): Preview clip: Medicare is Better than Ever tour will make a stop in Sacramento

Watch the event here.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Laguna Hills Community Center in Laguna Hills to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Watch the event here.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Mayor Pro Tem and Carlsbad City Council Member Priya Bhat-Patel joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Carlsbad Senior Center in Carlsbad to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Watch the event here.

Additional “Medicare Autumn” Coverage

NATIONAL

COLORADO

  • KDVR: ‘Protect Our Care’ Says Seniors Will Save on Prescription Drugs in 2024

CONNECTICUT

MARYLAND

  • WBFF: Medicare Open Enrollment Brings New Benefits and Savings for Millions of Seniors

MICHIGAN

NEVADA

OHIO

OKLAHOMA

  • KOKH: Seniors to Experience Relief in 2024: New Savings on Skyrocketing Prescription Drug Costs

SOUTH CAROLINA

  • WCIV: Protect Our Care

TENNESSEE

  • WTVC: Seniors to Experience Prescription Drug Cost Relief in 2024

TEXAS

UTAH

  • KUTV: New Benefits for Seniors During Open Enrollment

VIRGINIA

  • WVTF: Virginia’s State-Run Health Insurance Marketplace Is Live for the First Time

WISCONSIN

ashoup
In Fact Sheet, Research

“Medicare Autumn” Fact Sheet: Protecting Seniors From Prescription Cost Price Hikes

Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, championed by President Biden and Democrats in Congress, Medicare is better than ever and seniors are protected from outrageous price increases by big drug companies as a result of the law’s penalties on price increases greater than inflation. Hundreds of drugs have seen their list prices grow faster than inflation, forcing seniors to make tough decisions between needed medication and basic necessities — all while big drug companies bring in tens of billions in revenue and spend lavishly to reward shareholders. The Inflation Reduction Act has also brought down the cost of prescription medications for seniors on Medicare by capping insulin costs at $35 per month, providing free vaccines, and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies.

This is just the beginning: In 2025, seniors’ total drug costs will be capped at $2,000 per year and, in 2026, new savings from Medicare’s drug price negotiation will take effect. Together, these provisions will save seniors thousands of dollars on prescription drugs. These policies lower costs and improve access to care, which are essential for improving the health and well-being of millions of Americans nationwide.

BY THE NUMBERS

  • Medicare beneficiaries save as much as $600 per dose thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s inflation-pegged price hike rebates.
  • Medicare beneficiaries only pay 20 percent of the inflation-adjusted amount in copays for drugs with prices that have increased faster than the rate of inflation, 
  • 34 drugs will have reduced copays until the end of the year thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. 

Seniors Will Continue To Save Hundreds On Prescription Costs Through Rebates For Drug Prices That Increase More Than Inflation. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare beneficiaries save as much as $600 per dose. The new law requires drug companies to pay Medicare rebates if their drug prices rise faster than inflation, and those rebates are passed on as savings to seniors. For decades, big drug companies have been launching new drugs at sky-high prices and continuously raising prices faster than inflation, hurting the individuals reliant on them all while making record profits.

Drug Prices Have More Than Tripled Since Launch For The Top 25 Drugs By Medicare Spending. According to an analysis by the AARP, drug prices have more than tripled – an average increase of 226 percent – for the 25 drugs with the highest aggregate Medicare spending since launch. All but one of the top 25 drugs’ lifetime price hikes exceeded the lifetime average rate of inflation as well, with some increasing prices as much as nine times higher than inflation.

Over 100 Drugs Hiked Prices Above Inflation This Year. According to an analysis by the Center for American Progress, 112 drugs saw their list prices hiked above the annual inflation rate in July 2023, with an average rate increase of 30 percent.

1 In 3 American Adults Report Being Unable To Take Their Medications As Prescribed Due To High Costs. According to KFF, 1 in 3 American adults report being unable to take their medication as prescribed, demonstrating how high and rising drug prices are negatively impacting health outcomes for Americans struggling with affordability challenges. Existing racial and ethnic economic disparities place additional pressures on racial and ethnic minorities and make it even more challenging to keep up with drug prices rising faster than inflation.

…All While Big Drug Companies Bring In Record Profits and Reward Shareholders With Lucrative Stock Buybacks. As hundreds of drug prices rise faster than inflation, their manufacturers are bringing in record profits. Drugmakers of the first ten drugs eligible for Medicare price negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act have made tens of billions in revenue from Medicare and other sources while spending billions of dollars on stock buybacks and lobbying. For example, Eliquis, a drug used to treat blood clots manufactured by Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer, has cost Medicare over $41 billion through 2021. Meanwhile, the two companies have executed more than $97 billion in stock buybacks while bringing in nearly $91 billion in global sales and spending over $172 million on lobbying since launch.

ashoup
In News

Week Three: Protect Our Care Drives Home That “Medicare is Better Than Ever” In Arizona, Nevada, and California

Director of the Center for Medicare Dr. Meena Seshamani, HHS Regional Director Dr. Reynoso, Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo, and Local Officials Headlined “Medicare is Better Than Ever” Tour Events to Educate Seniors About Lower Drug Prices

On the final week of Protect Our Care’s 7,000-mile “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour, the Medicare-A-Van made stops in three states to educate seniors across the nation about new benefits thanks to legislation signed into law last year by President Biden. As seniors begin to enroll in their 2024 Medicare plans, they could save thousands of dollars on their prescription drug costs, with even more savings down the road.

During each stop, local elected officials, health care advocates and storytellers discussed how the Inflation Reduction Act and its Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program will improve care and lower costs for American seniors. Protect Our Care also made headlines across the nation educating seniors on the new benefits under the Inflation Reduction Act, including free vaccines, $35 insulin caps, protections from outrageous price hikes, and lower drug costs thanks to Medicare negotiation. Over three weeks, Protect Our Care traveled to more than 10 states, over 7,000 miles, and made more than 25 stops.

Watch All Tour Stops Here

PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Dr. Meena Seshamani, Director of the Center for Medicare at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS, joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Valle del Sol Community Health Center in Central Phoenix to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Coverage:

  • KJZZ (NPR): In Phoenix yesterday, Medicare Director touted new benefits to seniors

Watch the event here.

TUSCON, ARIZONA

Dr. Meena Seshamani, Director of the Center for Medicare at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS, joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Tucson Medical Center to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs.

Watch the event here.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Vida Lin, Asian Community Development Council President, joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Las Vegas Integrative Medicine Clinic to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs. 

Watch the event here.

RENO, NEVADA

Shuyi Huang, Asian Community Development Council Family Services Manager, joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Wat Buddhapradeep Temple in Sparks to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs.

Watch the event here.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

HHS Regional Director Dr. Reynoso, Region 9, joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the California State Capitol in Sacramento to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs.

Watch the event here.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Laguna Hills Community Center in Laguna Hills to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs.

Watch the event here.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Mayor Pro Tem and Carlsbad City Council Member Priya Bhat-Patel joined Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour and health care advocates at the Carlsbad Senior Center in Carlsbad to highlight all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower premiums and prescription drug costs.

Watch the event here.

Additional “Medicare Autumn” Coverage

COLORADO

  • KDVR: ‘Protect Our Care’ says seniors will save on prescription drugs in 2024

NEVADA

ashoup
In News

ACA Open Enrollment Starts Strong With Record Sign-Ups for Affordable Coverage

The 2024 Open Enrollment Period Continues Through January 15

Washington, DC — Today, the Biden administration announced that 1.6 million people have signed up for health care coverage on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace during the first week of open enrollment, which represents a 50 percent increase over the same period last year. Of those who signed up week one, more than 300,000 were new customers. The 2024 open enrollment period is set to end on January 15, so families still have time to find an affordable plan. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“Millions of Americans are taking advantage of enrolling in quality coverage through the ACA at little to no cost. Week one shows just how, after three years of work by President Biden and Democrats in Congress, more Americans are able to get affordable health care than ever before. Between boosting funding for open enrollment and reversing GOP sabotage, the Biden administration has done everything in its power to get the word out about affordable coverage, with historic investments in outreach to rural Americans, people of color, LGBTQI+ individuals, and people with disabilities.” 

“The Inflation Reduction Act extended the tax credits to lower costs for families, and now four out of five enrollees can find a plan for $10 or less. This makes a world of a difference to help more families sleep easier at night knowing they can get the medical care they need without worrying about how they’re going to make ends meet. People should continue to go to HealthCare.gov to see if they qualify for health plans with lower premium costs.”

ashoup
In News

GREED WATCH: Regeneron Announces $3.4 Billion Revenue in Quarter 3

On November 2, Regeneron announced it raked in $3.4 billion in the third quarter, a 15% increase over Q3 2022. In the third quarter, Regeneron rewarded shareholders with $507 million in stock buybacks, bringing their total buybacks for 2023 to $1.9 billion. While they make billions and reward shareholders, Americans pay exorbitantly high prices for prescription drugs. Regeneron opposes the Biden administration reforms that lower prescription drug prices. 

  • During the call, CEO Leonard S. Schleifer bragged about the company’s performance: “Regeneron performed well in the third quarter, with execution across the business continuing to drive strong top and bottom line growth. Third quarter 2023 total revenues increased 15% year-over-year to $3.4 billion.”
  • Drug companies charge Americans prices up to four times higher than prices in other countries, forcing patients to cut pills and skip doses to make ends meet. 
  • Over 80 percent of voters support giving Medicare the power to negotiate, making it the most popular provision in the Inflation Reduction Act. 

The Inflation Reduction Act brings down prescription drug costs for everyday Americans, especially seniors, by capping the price of insulin at $35 per month and providing free vaccines including shingles, giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, and limiting the amount people have to pay each year for prescription drugs to $2,000 annually starting in 2025.  

Read more:

REPORT: Why Medicare Needs the Power to Negotiate for Lower Drug Costs: The Five Drugs That Tell the Story

FACT SHEET: Big Drug Companies Are in Court to Stop Medicare Negotiation and Protect Their Sky-High Profits

ashoup
In News

GREED WATCH: Novo Nordisk Announces More Than $8 Billion In Revenue

Novo Nordisk announced it beat Wall Street expectations and raked in $8.58 billion this quarter – a 29% increase over last year – during their earnings report. While they make billions, Americans pay exorbitantly high prices for prescription drugs. Novo Nordisk opposes the Biden administration reforms that lower prescription drug prices. 

  • During the call, CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen bragged about the company’s earnings surge amid the incredible popularity of diabetes and chronic weight management drugs Wegovy and Ozempic. 
  • Novo Nordisk is suing the Biden administration to stop Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices for patients because it would endanger their massive profits. 
  • Drug companies charge Americans prices up to four times higher than prices in other countries, forcing patients to cut pills and skip doses to make ends meet. 
  • Over 80 percent of voters support giving Medicare the power to negotiate, making it the most popular provision in the Inflation Reduction Act. 

The Inflation Reduction Act brings down prescription drug costs for everyday Americans, especially seniors, by capping the price of insulin at $35 per month and providing free vaccines including shingles, giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, and limiting the amount people have to pay each year for prescription drugs to $2,000 annually starting in 2025.  

Read more:

REPORT: Why Medicare Needs the Power to Negotiate for Lower Drug Costs: The Five Drugs That Tell the Story

FACT SHEET: Big Drug Companies Are in Court to Stop Medicare Negotiation and Protect Their Sky-High Profits

ashoup
In News, Report, Research

NEW REPORT: Protect Our Care Unveils New Report During Press Call with Rep. Pallone On “The Endless War: The MAGA Republican War on American Health Care”

Under Speaker Johnson’s Leadership, Republicans Will Continue Their Agenda of Hiking Drug and Health Insurance Costs, and Eliminating Crucial Protections for the American People

Watch the Event Here.

Read the Full Report Here.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Protect Our Care is releasing a new national report holding Republicans accountable for putting profits over people in their ongoing war on health care during a press call headlined by U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06). Geoff Garin, president of Hart Research, also joined the call and presented recent polling showing how unpopular the Republican war on health care is with the American people.

In Washington and across the country, Republican legislators and Republican-leaning Courts are continuing to attack essential health care, disproportionately targeting people of color, seniors, rural populations, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQI+ community. Right now, Republicans are pushing health care plans that hike costs and trying to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act that lowered care and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans — all to put drug companies back in charge at the expense of seniors across the nation. Republicans rallied behind Rep. Mike Johnson, who has a long history of fighting to raise health care costs and rip away critical protections from the American people, as the newest Speaker of the House. 

On the other hand, President Biden and Democrats in Congress continue to fight for the American people by working to build upon the Inflation Reduction Act and Affordable Care Act. Representative Pallone, joined by Representatives Neal, and Scott, has helped lead the way and introduced the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act which seeks to reduce prescription drug costs further for all Americans by expanding the drug price provisions to apply to private insurance, including price negotiation and inflation rebates. 

Report Key Points:

  • Every Republican in the House and Senate voted against the Inflation Reduction Act which lowers health care costs for millions of Americans and has vast support from voters of all parties. 
  • Big drug companies spent over $100 million trying to kill the Inflation Reduction Act, and they are spending even more to undermine the Medicare Drug Negotiation Program.
  • Republicans have released budget proposals that seek to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare negotiation program, hike premium costs, and impose deep cuts to Medicaid.
  • Republican-led states are moving far too quickly to throw people off of Medicaid without taking advantage of all the available tools to minimize coverage losses.
  • Republicans in Congress are pushing for bills that all promote insurance plans that eliminate protections for people with pre-existing conditions and do not include coverage of essential services like hospital visits and prescription drugs.
  • Republicans are leveraging their influence in a number of health care-related court cases such as Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Braidwood Management v. Becerra, as well as lawsuits filed by Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson-owned Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Novartis, and Novo Nordisk as well as mega lobbying groups The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and the US Chamber of Commerce.

“We may have a new House Speaker, but Republicans are still trying to take away health care,” said U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06). “As today’s new report from Protect Our Care says, ‘Republicans’ position on health care is slash, sabotage, and repeal.’ Last night’s election results once again prove that Republicans are extremely out of touch. Democrats are unified in opposing Republicans’ extreme health care agenda and are focused on fighting to further lower health care and prescription drug costs for the American people.” 

“Looking towards 2024, health care can play a very decisive role in how voters vote,” said President of Hart Research Geoff Garin. “A large majority of voters say health care will play a large role in deciding their vote and Democrats and President Biden have powerful accomplishments that are broadly supported by diverse groups of voters, including many Republicans. Republicans are in a world of hurt on this issue. The rejection of their policies on health care has deepened when you talk about not just the policies themselves, but the real-world impacts of those policies – how they affect people’s health and their ability to afford the drugs they need to stay healthy.”

“Republicans are pushing their radical MAGA health care plans that harm the American people,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “The GOP will stop at nothing to raise health costs, eliminate critical protections just so the rich can get richer, even if it means leaving their own constituents behind. They want to go back to the status quo of Americans struggling to make ends meet due to outrageous health costs just to line the pockets of drug company CEOs and other billionaires. Some things never change: Republicans want a health care plan that would be disastrous for the well-being of hardworking people across our country.”

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In News, Press Call

PRESS CALL: Representative Pallone and Protect Our Care Call Out Republicans for Reigniting Their War on Health Care

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 AT 10:30 AM ET***

Under Speaker Johnson’s Leadership, Republicans Will Continue Their Agenda of Hiking Drug and Health Insurance Costs, and Eliminating Crucial Protections for the American People

Washington, DC — On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 10:30 AM ET, House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) will join Protect Our Care to discuss how the Republican party is working to rip away Americans’ access to affordable health care. From pushing health care plans that hike costs to trying to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to lower prescription drug costs, Republicans have returned to some of their oldest schemes to put drug and insurance companies back in charge at the expense of American families. Recently, Republicans in the House of Representatives elected Rep. Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House. Johnson has a long history of fighting to raise health care costs and rip away critical protections from the American people. During the call, Protect Our Care will unveil a new report outlining Republicans’ mission to raise costs and undermine critical protections through legislation and the courts. Hart Research President Geoff Garin will also present recent polling showing how unpopular the Republican war on health care is with the American people. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06)
Geoff Garin, President of Hart Research
Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference 

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 10:30 AM ET

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