President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Schumer, Governor Evers, Representatives G.K. Butterfield, Ted Deutch Headlined Events in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin
Eleven years ago, the Affordable Care Act became the law of the land and millions of Americans gained coverage and critical protections as a result. Because of the ACA, more than 20 million Americans gained health coverage. After four long years of Republican efforts to repeal and sabotage the law, President Biden and Democrats in Congress have passed the American Rescue Plan, which builds on the strong foundation of the ACA to expand coverage, lower costs, and reduce racial disparities in health care. These steps are essential as millions have lost their jobs and their health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To mark the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and passage of the American Rescue Plan, Protect Our Care held nationwide events with President Barack Obama, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Governor Tony Evers (D-WI), U.S. Representatives G.K. Butterfield (D-NC-01) and Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), state and local elected officials, and health care storytellers.
Protect Our Care released two videos featuring the events from this week:
Highlights and coverage from Protect Our Care’s events:
NATIONAL:
Monday, March 22, 2021 — President Barack Obama Joins Protect Our Care, Health Care Storytellers to Reflect on the Success of the Affordable Care Act
President Barack Obama joined Protect Our Care and health care advocates to discuss how the law has benefitted millions of Americans since its passage 11 years ago and the work still needed to ensure all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care. The former president reflected on the ACA, which was one of the most significant legislative achievements of his presidency, and the impact of the the American Rescue Plan, which further expands coverage and lower costs. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
The Washington Post: The Health 202: Democrats See a Pathway for Their Ambitious Drug Pricing Bill
- “Today marks the 11th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Former president Barack Obama praised the sweeping health-care law and criticized GOP governors who didn’t embrace its Medicaid expansion, in a virtual event organized by the Democrat-aligned group Protect Our Care.”
CNN: Biden’s Moves on Obamacare Attract New Signups — and a Second Look From Red States
- “Former President Barack Obama spoke Monday about how the Affordable Care Act has benefited Americans and how the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion relief package, which Biden signed into law earlier this month, has strengthened the law.”
The Hill: Obama Ties Biden Priorities to ObamaCare Anniversary: ‘We’ve Still Got More Work to Do
KMJ News (Fresno, CA): Biden Moving to Bolster Obamacare Before Its 11th Anniversary
KPTM (FOX Omaha, NE): Former President Obama Marks 11th Anniversary of Affordable Care Act
Tuesday, March 23, 2021 — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Protect Our Care Mark the 11th Anniversary of ACA
On the 11th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) joined Protect Our Care and a health care storyteller from Georgia for an online event about how the health care law has benefitted millions of Americans since its passage, and the work still needed to ensure all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care. During the event, speakers covered the historic nature of the ACA, its impact on Americans’ lives, and how the law is stronger than ever after the enhancements passed in the American Rescue Plan, which further expand coverage and lower costs. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
Bloomberg: Pelosi May Revive Drug Price Bill With Infrastructure Package
Insurance News Net: Speaker Pelosi Issues Remarks on 11th Anniversary of Affordable Care Act
The Hill: Pelosi: Drug Pricing Measure Under Discussion for Infrastructure Package
The Hill: Watch Live: Pelosi, Schumer Celebrate ACA’s 11th Anniversary
ALASKA
Thursday, March 18, 2021 — American Rescue Plan and ACA at 11 Event with State Rep. Snyder, Alaska Black Caucus President, and Advocates: State Rep. Liz Snyder, Celeste Hodge Growden, Erin Jackson-Hill, and Meda DeWitt joined Protect Our Care Alaska for a virtual press conference to highlight the impacts of the American Rescue Plan, including its historic measures to expand access to quality, affordable health care and build upon the foundation of the Affordable Care Act 11 years after the law was passed by Congress. You can watch the event here.
FLORIDA
Tuesday, March 23, 2021 — ACA Anniversary and ARP Event with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Rep. Ted Deutch, State Senator Taddeo, Florida Voices for Health, and Health Care Advocates: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, along with Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), State Senator Annette Taddeo (SD-40); Scott Darius, executive director for Florida Voices for Health; Anne Packham, marketplace project director at Primary Care Access Network; and Veronica Salsman, who was able to access affordable coverages through the ACA, joined Protect Our Care Florida for a virtual Zoom event to highlight the historic measures in the American Rescue Plan to expand access to quality, affordable health care and build upon the foundation of the ACA 11 years after the law was passed by Congress, as well as the new incentives for Florida to expand Medicaid. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
Palm Beach Post: Ted Deutch, New HHS Chief Tout Stimulus, Call on Florida to Expand Medicaid
Florida Politics: Democrats Lobby Florida Legislature to Expand Medicaid, Grab New Federal Dollars Under COVID-19 Relief Bill
WUSF (NPR Tampa): Explaining the American Rescue Plan’s $3.5B Incentive to Expand Medicaid In Florida
WMFE (NPR Orlando): Explaining the American Rescue Plan’s $3.5B Incentive to Expand Medicaid In Florida
WLRN (NPR South Florida): Expanding Medicaid
WUSF (NPR Tampa): Expanding Medicaid
GEORGIA
Monday, March 22, 2021 — American Rescue Plan and ACA Anniversary Event with Health Providers, Small Business and Health Advocates: Three Georgians from the health provider and small business and health advocate communities joined Protect Our Care Georgia for a virtual press conference to highlight the impacts of the American Rescue Plan, including its historic measures to expand access to quality, affordable health care, and build upon the foundation of the Affordable Care Act eleven years after the law was passed by Congress. You can watch the event here.
MAINE
Wednesday, March 24, 2021 — ACA at 11 Anniversary and ARP Event with Senate President Troy Jackson, Advocates, and Mainers: Lawmakers, frontline workers and advocates joined Protect Our Care Maine for a press call to highlight the impacts of the American Rescue Plan, including its historic measures to expand access to quality, affordable health care and build upon the foundation of the Affordable Care Act 11 years after the law was passed by Congress. The American Rescue Plan is the boldest expansion of health care in a decade in order to lower health care costs, expand coverage, and address inequities in care, and will have profound impacts across Maine, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate Mainers. You can listen to the call recording here.
NORTH CAROLINA
Tuesday, March 23, 2021 — ACA at 11 Anniversary and ARP Event with Rep. G.K. Butterfield, Little Lobbyists, and North Carolinians: Congressman G.K. Butterfield and North Carolina health care advocates joined Protect Our Care North Carolina for a virtual press conference to highlight the impacts of the American Rescue Plan, including its historic measures to expand access to quality, affordable health care and build upon the foundation of the Affordable Care Act 11 years after the law was passed by Congress. The new law includes over $1 billion in funding for North Carolina to expand Medicaid. You can watch the event here.
OHIO
Thursday, March 18, 2021 — American Rescue Plan and ACA at 11 Event with Hamilton County Leaders: Law enforcement, teachers, and officials in Hamilton County, Ohio joined Protect Our Care Ohio for a virtual event to highlight the impacts of the American Rescue Plan. Speakers discussed the law’s benefits for Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio, including details of state and local aid and the law’s historic measures to expand access to quality, affordable health care and build upon the foundation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) 11 years after it was signed into law. Neil Stewart, a Cincinnati public school teacher and member of Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, applauded the Democrats who voted for the rescue plan and spoke out against Republicans who rejected funding for local Ohio communities. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
WLWT (NBC Cincinnati): Spending the Stimulus Money
WLWT (NBC Cincinnati): Boosting Local Economy
WKRC (CBS Cincinnati): Hamilton County Getting Nearly $160 Million From Stimulus; Leaders Creating Wish Lists
PENNSYLVANIA
Tuesday, March 23, 2021 — ACA at 11 Anniversary and American Rescue Plan Event with Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Chair Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, Pennsylvania Health Access Network, and Health Care Advocates: Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners and Pennsylvania Health Access Network Director Antoinette Kraus joined Protect Our Care Pennsylvania and storytellers for a virtual roundtable to highlight the impacts of the American Rescue Plan, including its historic measures to expand access to quality, affordable health care and build upon the foundation of the Affordable Care Act 11 years after the law was passed by Congress. You can watch the event here.
WISCONSIN
Tuesday, March 23, 2021 — ACA at 11 Anniversary and American Rescue Plan Event with Governor Evers and Health Care Advocates Across Wisconsin: Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers joined Protect Our Care Wisconsin for a virtual conversation highlighting the impacts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the 11 years since its passage. The Governor heard from residents from across the state who have benefited from the ACA. Gov. Evers also addressed the health care related provisions of his proposed budget – including the Badgercare expansion that would result in more than $1 billion in new savings to the state over the next biennium. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
WEAU (NBC Eau Claire): Gov. Evers Touts BadgerCare Expansion, Health Care Access As Part of State Budget Proposal
WKOW (ABC Madison): Democrats Mark 11 Years Since Affordable Care Act Became Law
WLUK (FOX Green Bay): Gov. Evers on Affordable Care Act’s 11th Anniversary: ‘We Can’t Go Back’
WLAX Fox 25/48 (FOX La Crosse): Gov. Evers Marks 11 Years of Affordable Care Act
WisPolitics: Protect Our Care: Gov. Evers and Wisconsinites Who Benefit From the Affordable Care Act Highlighted the Impacts of the Landmark Legislation 11 Years After Passage
WFRV (CBS Green Bay): 11th Anniversary Of Affordable Care Act Passing
WSAW (CBS Wausau): Gov. Evers Discusses ACA
WLUK (FOX Green Bay): 11 Years Since ACA Signed Into Law
WISC (CBS Madison): Gov. Evers Calls to Expand Medicaid
WMSN (FOX Madison): Anniversary of Affordable Care Act
WISC (CBS Madison): 11th Anniversary of ACA Being Signed Into Law
WFRV (CBS Green Bay): 11th Anniversary of Affordable Care Act Passing
WLUK (FOX Green Bay): Gov. Evers Virtual Discussion
WLAX (FOX La Crosse): Evers Marks 11 Years of Affordable Care Act
WFRV (CBS Green Bay): 11th Anniversary of Affordable Care Act Passing
WKBT (CBS La Crosse): ACA 11th Anniversary
WEAU (NBC Eau Claire): Evers Marks 11 Years of Affordable Care Act
WSAW (CBS Wausau): Gov. Evers Discusses ACA
WLUK (FOX Green Bay): 11th Anniversary of Affordable Care Act
WISC (CBS Madison): 11th Anniversary of ACA Being Signed Into Law
WEAU (NBC Eau Claire): Gov. Evers Celebrates ACA’s 11 Year Anniversary
WFRV (CBS Green Bay): 11th Anniversary of ACA
WFRV (CBS Green Bay): 11 Years of the Affordable Care Act
WEAU (NBC Eau Claire): Gov Evers Celebrates ACA’s 11 Year Anniversary