News

Ahead of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) 12th anniversary, Protect Our Care is highlighting the major achievements of the law each day leading up to March 23. The anniversary comes as enrollment is at an all-time high of 14.5 million Americans and premium costs are at a record low. President Biden and Democrats in Congress are continuing their work to strengthen the ACA by fighting to lower drug prices, reduce premiums, and expand coverage to even more families.  

Protect Our Care will host events next week celebrating the law’s success, despite years of attacks by Republican lawmakers. Twelve years later, the ACA is here to stay and stronger than ever. 

Day 1: Patient Protections Of The Affordable Care Act

Twelve years ago, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became the law of the land and millions of Americans gained critical protections as a result. Thanks to the ACA, 135 million Americans with a pre-existing condition are now protected against losing their coverage. The ACA’s robust protections don’t stop there. Insurers are banned from setting annual and lifetime limits on health coverage and cannot charge women more for the same care as men. 

After years of Republican efforts to repeal and sabotage the law, President Biden and Democrats in Congress have made historic investments to secure the future of American health care. Thanks to their vision and determination, Americans can now sleep easier at night knowing the ACA and its lifesaving protections are here to stay.

A closer look at how the Affordable Care Act is protecting patients across the country:

Protections For 135 Million Americans With Pre-Existing Conditions. Because of the ACA, insurers in the individual market can no longer drop or deny coverage, or charge more because of a pre-existing condition. More than 135 million Americans have a pre-existing health condition. And without the ACA, millions of Americans who have contracted the COVID-19 would likely be deemed as having a pre-existing condition and be at the mercy of their insurance companies who could refuse to pay for needed care. 

The ACA Guarantees Comprehensive Coverage. Because of the ACA, insurers have to cover what are known as “essential health benefits,” such as maternity care, prescription drugs, and substance and mental health. Importantly, ACA-compliant plans must cover COVID-19 testing, treatment, and hospitalization. Before the ACA, individual market plans often failed to cover these basic, and oftentimes preventative, health services.  

The ACA Ended Annual And Lifetime Limits, Including For People With Employer-Based Coverage. Thanks to the ACA, insurers can no longer put annual or lifetime limits on the care you receive. At the time the ACA was passed, 91 million Americans had health care through their employers that imposed lifetime limits. Many such plans capped benefits at $1 million, functionally locking people with complex medical needs out of coverage. As of 2019, 158 million Americans with employer coverage are protected from lifetime limits, in addition to the millions with ACA Marketplace coverage. 

Women Can No Longer Be Charged More Than Men. Because of the ACA, insurers can no longer charge women more than men for the same coverage, and insurers are now required to cover important health benefits like maternity care. Before the ACA, only 12 percent of individual market plans offered maternity care. The ACA established maternity coverage as one of the ten essential health benefits required on all new individual and small group policies. The American Rescue Plan created a pathway to coverage for pregnant Americans, allowing states to extend postpartum coverage under Medicaid from 60 days to 12 months following pregnancy. The United States has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the industrialized world, with 12 percent of maternal deaths occurring between six weeks and one year following delivery, after Medicaid coverage has ended.

Ending Discrimination Against LGBT+ Americans. On January 5, 2022, the Biden Administration proposed rule changes made by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to require health insurance plans offered through the Affordable Care Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics. LGBT+ Americans are twice as likely to be without health insurance. According to a Center for American Progress survey, in 2019, the LGBT+ uninsured rate was 20 percent in holdout states, compared to 8 percent in states that adopted Medicaid expansion. Access to affordable, quality health care plans under the ACA and its expansion under the American Rescue Plan help combat the number of LGBT+ Americans that are uninsured. Premium subsidies made available by the ARP helped nearly 210,000 LGBT+ enrollees have access to zero-premium plans.

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), and State and Local Advocates Headlined Events Across the Country

Last week, Protect Our Care hosted events across the country to mark the American Rescue Plan’s one-year anniversary and celebrate its historic provisions that made coverage more affordable than ever before. The law lowered the costs of premiums for Americans purchasing coverage under the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, extended the eligibility for premium tax credits, and provided robust incentives for hold-out states to finally expand Medicaid and close the Medicaid coverage gap. As a result, a record number of Americans signed up for coverage, putting more money in families’ pockets and giving millions of people peace of mind knowing they can afford the health care they need.

Protect Our Care held events with Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), state and local officials, and health care storytellers to discuss the impact the American Rescue Plan has had on American families and highlight recent efforts to pass legislation to make American Rescue Plan health care provisions permanent.

NATIONAL

On Thursday, March 10, Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined health care advocates and Protect Our Care to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan, which made health care premiums more affordable than ever. Watch the full event here.

“While Senate Republicans propose destructive plans like ripping away health care from millions of Americans, I am standing on the side of working families to expand access to quality, affordable health care, and lower the cost of prescription drugs, like insulin,” said Senator Baldwin. “The American Rescue Plan, which lowered premiums and increased health care access for Georgians, was the first of many solutions that I’ve fought for in the Senate. In the past year, I’ve introduced legislation to cap the price of insulin at $35 a month and lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs. I’ve also fought to close the Medicaid coverage gap, and provide free and affordable coverage to over 640,000 Georgians,” said Senator Warnock. 

Coverage: 

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Insulin Costs Have Sky-rocketed; Warnock-sponsored Bill Would Cap Co-pays
• Wisconsin Health News: Baldwin Eyes Bipartisan Support For Insulin Plan
• WEAU (WI): A Bill Aims to Cap Out of Pocket Costs for Insulin
• WQOW (WI): Sen. Baldwin, Democrats introduce legislation to cap insulin prices

On Friday, March 11, Protect Our Care hosted a Lite-Brite display outside of the White House commemorating the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan. The event came after Protect Our Care released a new report outlining the impact of the American Rescue Plan’s critical economic and health provisions. Over the past year, the law helped create more than 6 million jobs and led to record enrollment in affordable health coverage. Today, over 215 million Americans are fully vaccinated, with more getting vaccinated and boosted every day, leading to safer workplaces and communities.

FLORIDA

On Thursday, March 10, Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) joined Protect Our Care Florida and For Our Future to mark the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan by calling on Congress to pass legislation to make many of the law’s health care provisions permanent. Watch the full event here.

“The American Rescue Plan was monumental in supporting our families, lowering health care costs, and helping as a bridge out of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Kathy Castor. “One of the most impactful measures of the ARP were the tax credits that lowered health insurance premiums for thousands of families. It is vitally important that we continue those credits, and also to finally expand Medicaid in our state.” 

Coverage: 

• WFLA-AM Radio (Tampa): Rep. Castor Marks ARP Anniversary, Calls for Lower Health Care Costs
• News Radio 610 WIOD (Miami): Rep. Castor Marks ARP Anniversary, Calls for Lower Health Care Costs

NEW HAMPSHIRE

On Friday, March 11, Lisa Beaudoin, Executive Director of ABLE NH, Heather Stockwell, Statewide Campaigns Organizer for Rights & Democracy, Nancy Glynn, Advocate with Moms Rising, and Nik Coates, Town Administrator from Bristol, joined Protect Our Care New Hampshire to mark the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan by discussing the impact of the law and calling on Congress to pass legislation to make many of the law’s health care provisions permanent. Watch the full event here.

“What is little known and underappreciated about the American Rescue Plan is that it provided the states with a bunch of Medicaid matching funds for home and community-based services, which provides community-based care and support for the disability community and senior citizens. This infusion of $44 million that is going to be spent over the next three years is going to help with some significant workforce issues,” said Lisa Beaudoin, Executive Director of ABLE NH.

NEW JERSEY

On Thursday, March 10, New Jersey Assemblyman John McKeon and Laura Waddell, Health Care Program Director, New Jersey Citizen Action joined Protect Our Care New Jersey to mark the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan by calling on Congress to pass legislation to make many of the law’s health care provisions permanent. Watch the full event here.

“The American Rescue Plan is helping make high-quality health care more affordable and accessible to all New Jerseyans,” said Assemblyman John McKeon. “The law’s enhanced premium tax credits allowed more than 3 million Americans to find a plan for $10 or less per month. While we’re doing everything we can at the state level, Congress must now make the enhanced premium tax credits in the American Rescue Plan permanent for the millions of Americans who were able to access and afford coverage.” 

Coverage: 

• Insider NJ: Assemblyman John McKeon, Health Care Advocates Urge Passage of Health Care Reforms to Build on Success of American Rescue Plan

NEVADA

On Friday, March 11, Dr. Christina Madison and Jarrett Clark joined Protect Our Care Nevada to mark the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan by calling on Congress to pass legislation to make many of the law’s health care provisions permanent. You can watch the event here.

“I was diagnosed with a genetic blood condition when I was 22 years old,” Jarrett Clark said. “I will have to take medication for the rest of my life to manage this disorder, which costs more than $800 per month without health insurance. Because of the Affordable Care Act, I know I can never be denied health care coverage because of a preexisting condition, which gives me peace of mind. Because of the American Rescue Plan, I was able to afford COBRA coverage when I was laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic like so many other Nevadans. These pieces of legislation were essential to making health care more affordable for people like me.”

OHIO

On Friday, March 11, Columbus City Councilmembers Liz Brown and Tristan Rader and Ohio leaders joined Protect Our Care to mark the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan by discussing the impact of the law and calling on Congress to pass legislation to make many of the law’s health care provisions permanent. Watch the full event here. 

“The pandemic brought to light the deep flaws in our social safety net, and this time last year—one year after the initial shutdown—we were still in the darkest parts of the pandemic. American Rescue Plan funds supercharged our efforts to provide relief to residents, sustain small businesses and the childcare sector, and to respond to the health crisis itself,” said Columbus City Councilmember Elizabeth Brown. “We’ve made significant investments to sustain our childcare sector because access to childcare and high-quality early learning programs is vital for the development and wellness of young children. Our kids and their families have also been aided by the ARP’s measures to expand access and affordability to healthcare, including mental health, and now is the time to reinforce those supports. From child care to health care, there is more work to be done.”

PENNSYLVANIA

Coverage:

• Philadelphia Inquirer (Opinion): Thousands in Pa. can’t afford health insurance if we lose ARP subsidies l Expert Opinion

WEST VIRGINIA

On Friday, March 11, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams and West Virginia health care advocates joined Protect Our Care Ohio to mark the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan by discussing the impact of the law and calling on Congress to pass legislation to make many of the law’s health care provisions permanent. Watch the full event here.

“What was fascinating and absolutely game changing is the way the rescue plan is going directly to cities. We’ve been working so hard over the last 10 years to create a transformative economy that doesn’t just have an effect on Huntington but has an effect on the entire region. And having that effect on the entire region actually impacts what’s occurring in Appalachia. What we found as a result of the rescue plan money, is this is truly manna from heaven,” said Huntington Mayor Steve Williams. 

Coverage:

• Charleston Gazette-Mail (Opinion): Kathleen Stoll: Party Like It’s ARPA Day

This evening, Protect Our Care hosted a Lite-Brite display outside of the White House commemorating the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan. On March 11, 2021 President Biden signed the historic American Rescue Plan into law, which has been the cornerstone of the American COVID-19 recovery, providing funding for vaccination distribution, delivering direct relief to families, supplying resources to keep schools and businesses open, and creating measures to make health care more affordable than ever before. 

Earlier this week, Protect Our Care released a new report outlining the impact of the American Rescue Plan’s critical economic and health provisions. Over the past year, the law helped create more than 6 million jobs and led to record enrollment in affordable health coverage. Today, over 215 million Americans are fully vaccinated, with more getting vaccinated and boosted every day, leading to safer workplaces and communities. The lite-brite display comes as President Biden and Democrats in Congress are working to build on this progress and put more money in working families’ pockets by driving down prescription drug prices, lowering premiums, and further expanding access to affordable care. 

Background:

REPORT: One Year Later, The American Rescue Plan Has Delivered For The American People

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 11 AT 7:00 PM ET***  

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
CONTACT: Melissa Byrne, 609-364-4267

“Biden to the Rescue” Will Commemorate the Anniversary of the American Rescue Plan 

Washington, DC — Today, Protect Our Care will host a Lite-Brite display outside of the White House commemorating the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan. One year ago today, President Biden signed the historic American Rescue Plan into law, which has been the cornerstone of the American COVID-19 recovery, providing funding for vaccination distribution, delivering resources to keep schools and businesses open, and creating measures to make health care more affordable than ever before. The impact of the American Rescue Plan remains strong with record job growth and enrollment in affordable health coverage. The lite-brite display comes as President Biden and Democrats in Congress are working to build on this progress and put more money in working families’ pockets by driving down prescription drug prices, lowering premiums, and further expanding access to affordable care. 

LITE-BRITE DISPLAY

WHAT: Lite-Brite Display in Front of White House

WHEN: Friday, March 11, 2022, at 7:00 PM ET

WHERE: Ellipse side of White House

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 11 AT 11:00 AM ET***

A Year Ago, Republicans Voted Against American Rescue Plan Which Made Health Coverage for West Virginians More Affordable, Expanded Access, and Helped Us Better Respond to the Pandemic  

Huntington, WV — Today, March 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM ET, speakers will join Protect Our Care West Virginia to mark the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan by calling on Congress to pass legislation to make many of the law’s health care provisions permanent. The American Rescue Plan – which Democrats passed without Republican support – has put money into the pockets of families struggling to make ends meet, delivered robust funding for vaccine distribution, and helped safely reopen schools and the economy. The American Rescue Plan also lowered the cost of health care coverage for West Virginians with enhanced premium tax credits allowing four out of five eligible enrollees to find a plan for $10 or less per month. 

In his first State of the Union, President Biden highlighted successful efforts to deliver significant relief to millions of American families. Thanks to Biden’s leadership over 30 million Americans now have health coverage, including a record 14.5 million covered under the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. In fact, West Virginia saw an 19% increase in enrollment in the last year. Additionally, the ARP has helped 76 percent of Americans receive at least one dose of the vaccine, with 93 million receiving a booster shot to bolster protection against the omicron variant. Democrats continue to work to lower insurance premiums, give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, close the coverage gap, extend Medicare benefits, and improve care for veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities.

VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE:

WHO:
Mayor Steve Williams, Huntington, WV
Dr. Jessica Ice, West Virginians for Affordable Health Care
Ryan Frankenberry, West Virginia Working Families Party
Lynette Maselli, Protect Our Care West Virginia

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Friday, March 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM ET

Ahead of the American Rescue Plan Anniversary, Senators Celebrate the Provisions to Make Health Care Premiums More Affordable Than Ever

Watch the Full Event Here.

Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined Protect Our Care to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan, which made health care premiums more affordable than ever. The senators also discussed the steps Congress can take now to further lower Americans’ health care costs, including capping insulin prices, giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, and keeping health care premiums low. 

Senator Warnock introduced new legislation that would limit out-of-pocket insulin costs to $35 per month for millions of diabetics with insurance. Lowering insulin costs is an essential step to drive down health care costs and put more money in working families’ pockets. If passed, these measures could put thousands of dollars in working families’ pockets and make health care affordable at a time when patients need relief most. 

“While Senate Republicans propose destructive plans like ripping away health care from millions of Americans, I am standing on the side of working families to expand access to quality, affordable health care, and lower the cost of prescription drugs, like insulin,” said Senator Baldwin. “No one should lay awake at night wondering if the health care they have today will be gone tomorrow, and no one should go bankrupt just to get the medication they need to live a healthy life. We need to lower costs for people and cap the price of insulin at $35, so millions of Americans have the medicine they need at a price they can afford.”

“I’ve been fighting to improve Georgians’ access to affordable, quality health care long before I got into office. The American Rescue Plan, which lowered premiums and increased health care access for Georgians, was the first of many solutions that I’ve fought for in the Senate. In the past year, I’ve introduced legislation to cap the price of insulin at $35 a month and lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs. I’ve also fought to close the Medicaid coverage gap, and provide free and affordable coverage to over 640,000 Georgians, said Senator Warnock. I’m grateful to Protect Our Care, today’s storytellers, Teresa and Mary, and my partner in this important fight, Senator Baldwin. As Georgians and Americans work to recover from the pandemic, I’m going to keep fighting to make sure the federal government is doing its part to lower rising costs for hardworking Georgia families and small businesses.”

“I’m on Medicare, and I’ve been taking two insulins daily for the past few years. The first full year I was on Medicare, I found that because of the high retail cost of insulin, that after only a few months into the year, I fell into the donut hole,” said Mary Jonker, patient storyteller from Wisconsin. “I was told that my copay for my insulin after I went into the donut hole would be $850 for a three month period. So many people around this country are having the same problem. They’re deciding between insulin or food. They’re deciding whether to take their insulin every other day. I would like to thank Senator Baldwin and Senator Reverend Warnock for helping to ease the financial burdens on Americans purchasing insulin.” 

“My 12-year-old, Bauer, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes just after his 6th birthday,” said Teresa Acosta, patient storyteller from Georgia. “When the pandemic hit, I had to be laid off. I was scared to be losing my income and health insurance in the middle of a pandemic, but thanks in part to the American Rescue Plan’s child tax credits and increased ACA premium subsidies, my family and I were able to keep our heads above water. I ended up enrolling my family on a plan through the Healthcare Marketplace exchange. This was a subsidized plan, which made it possible to afford insulin and the technology we rely on to keep Bauer healthy. The way I see it, the health care measures in the American Rescue Plan not only rescued me but invested in me, allowing me to follow my American Dream and start a business.” 

“A year ago, President Biden signed the historic American Rescue Plan to improve our nation’s health and economic wellbeing by putting money in people’s pockets, strengthening our economy, and tackling the high health insurance costs. Since then, a record 14.5 million Americans enrolled in affordable health insurance through the ACA, and families are saving an average of $2,400 a year on their care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “However, the work is not finished. We must continue lowering health care costs by passing legislation to reduce the cost of insulin, give medicare the power to negotiate for lower prices and make the American Rescue Plan’s health care provisions permanent.”

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 10 AT 10:00 AM ET***

A Year Ago, Republicans Voted Against American Rescue Plan Which Made Health Coverage for Floridians More Affordable, Expanded Access, and Helped Us Better Respond to the Pandemic 

Tampa, FL — Today, March 10, 2022 at 10:00AM ET, Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) and local advocates will join Protect Our Care Florida to mark the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan by calling on Congress to pass legislation to make many of the law’s health care provisions permanent. During the call, speakers will explain how the American Rescue Plan has made a huge impact in Floridians’ lives, with several advocates telling personal stories about the benefits they have personally experienced. 

The American Rescue Plan – which Democrats passed without Republican support – has put money into the pockets of families struggling to make ends meet, delivered robust funding for vaccine distribution, and helped safely reopen schools and the economy. The American Rescue Plan also lowered the cost of health care coverage for Floridians with enhanced premium tax credits allowing four out of five eligible enrollees to find a plan for $10 or less per month. 

In his first State of the Union, President Biden highlighted successful efforts to deliver significant relief to millions of American families. Thanks to Biden’s leadership over 30 million Americans now have health coverage, including a record 14.5 million covered under the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. In fact, Florida saw a 28% increase in enrollment in the last year. Additionally, the ARP has helped 76 percent of Americans receive at least one dose of the vaccine, with 93 million receiving a booster shot to bolster protection against the omicron variant. 

VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE:

WHO:
Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14)
Jodi Ray, Project Director at Florida Covering Kids & Families
Veronica Salsman, local healthcare storyteller
Magdala Orelus, local healthcare storyteller

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 10:00 AM ET

Watch the Ad Here.

Washington, DC — Today, Protect Our Care is releasing a new television ad on the urgent need to lower health care costs for the American people. The ad highlights President Biden and Democrats’ work to put more money in families’ pockets by giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, capping insulin costs, lowering premiums and expanding affordable coverage. On the other hand, Republicans are standing by big drug companies and other special interests and would rather play politics on inflation than reduce costs for the American people.

The ad is running on cable beginning on Thursday, March 10. Additionally, the ad will run on Facebook in several key states: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. 

“The American people have made it resoundingly clear that they are tired of worrying about the rising cost of health care,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Measures to lower health care costs are among the most efficient ways to get more money in working families’ pockets. The contrast could not be clearer: while President Biden and Democrats are fighting to lower prescription drug prices and expand affordable care, Republicans are standing with the drug company lobbyists and shamefully playing politics with people’s lives.” 

Ad Script:

Americans are filling the pinch of high prices like never before – at the pump and at the store…

But President Biden and Democrats in Congress have a plan to help Americans make ends meet… 

Lower health care costs for American families…

Cap insulin costs at $35 per month for millions with insurance suffering from diabetes…

Give Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices on life saving medications…

And expand coverage and lower premium costs for Americans buying health insurance on their own. 

These health care measures could lower costs for the American people and put money in their pockets now.

But Republicans are unanimously opposed.

They’d rather stand with the special interests like drug company lobbyists and CEOs than lower prices and improve care for the American people.  

Call Senate and House Republicans and tell them to stop playing politics with inflation.

Lower healthcare costs for the American people — Now.

Paid for by Protect Our Care.