News

Washington DC — Today, Protect Our Care is kicking off week two of the Inflation Reduction Act themed weeks, which focuses on how seniors will save thousands of dollars a year thanks to the bill’s provisions to drive down prescription drug costs. Seniors are especially vulnerable to high prescription drug costs, with nearly one in four struggling to access the medications they need to survive. The Inflation Reduction Act takes critical steps to lower costs for millions of seniors: it gives Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices, it caps annual out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000, it limits insulin copays to $35 per month, and it imposes a penalty on drug companies who raise Medicare drug prices fast than the rate of inflation. 

Along with lowering premium costs for millions of Americans, the Inflation Reduction Act will deliver long-overdue relief to working families and seniors, and it will address the deep racial inequities in our health care system. 

“The Inflation Reduction Act is a godsend for our nation’s seniors” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “It is shameful that seniors have been forced to choose between cutting pills in half and putting food on the table. Democrats’ legislation finally stands up to Big Pharma and delivers long-overdue relief to millions of seniors and their families. Despite a $100 million lobbying campaign from the pharmaceutical industry and unified opposition from Republican lawmakers, President Biden and Democrats delivered on their promises to put people over politics.” 

Over the next several weeks, Protect Our Care will release fact sheets and host nationwide events with elected officials, storytellers, and health care advocates to highlight the Inflation Reduction Act’s critical measures to drive down health care and prescription drug costs.

Inflation Reduction Act Themed Weeks:

• Week 1: GOP Accountability. Week one focuses on how every Republican lawmaker in Congress stood by Big Pharma and other special interests and voted against lower health care costs for the American people.
• Week 2: Seniors. Week two is bringing attention to the Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions to lower prescription drug costs for millions of seniors. 
• Week 3: Lower Health Care Premiums. Week three focuses on how millions of Americans will save on their health care premiums thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. 
• Week 4: Cancer. The final week highlights how patients fighting serious diseases like cancer stand to save thousands of dollars a year on their health care costs. 

FACT SHEET: The Inflation Reduction Act is a Lifeline for America’s Seniors Saving Them Thousands of Dollars a Year and Improving Their Health Care 

The Inflation Reduction Act will drastically reduce the cost of prescription drugs for 49 million Americans enrolled in Medicare’s Part D drug benefit, improve their access to health care, and reduce racial, income, and geographic disparities in health care, and save lives. Seniors will no longer have to choose between paying for the drugs they need and other essentials like food and housing.

By The Numbers:

• 49 million Medicare beneficiaries will no longer face Big Pharma’s outrageous price hikes that exceed inflation beginning in 2023.
• All Medicare Part D beneficiaries will have access to covered vaccines, such as Shingles and pneumonia, at no cost starting in 2023.
• No Medicare beneficiary will pay more than $35 a month for insulin beginning  in 2023.
• 49 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries will have out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs capped at $2,000 per year beginning in 2025.
• The cost of 80 of the most expensive prescription drugs will be reduced because Medicare has the power to negotiate.

Read the full fact sheet here. 

As Protect Our Care wraps up GOP Accountability week, President Biden called out Republicans in the Senate for their disastrous vote against capping insulin costs at $35 a month for millions of diabetics with private insurance. By blocking this critical amendment, diabetics and their families will be forced to pay hundreds of dollars a month for this life saving drug. Once again, Republicans put Big Pharma’s profits over the needs of real families, and the American people will take notice. 

Republicans Blocked Insulin Cap for Millions of Americans. In early August, as the final negotiations were being made on the Inflation Reduction Act, Republicans in the Senate unified together to make sure that the $35 insulin cap was not universal. In a country where 80 percent of diabetics have had to go into debt in order to pay for insulin, this type of action by Republicans reeks of the influence of Big Pharma. When addressing this at his rally on Thursday, President Joe Biden railed against the cowardice of elected Republicans and emphasized to the American people that the IRA would be just the beginning of his plans to reduce health care costs for all Americans. “These Republicans ripped that out of the bill, but we’re coming back.”

Makes Insulin Accessible And Affordable For Seniors. In 2020, there were more than 3.2 million insulin users on Medicare Part D, with nearly 1.7 million purchasing their insulin without low-income subsidies. On average, seniors with Medicare Part D who are not receiving subsidies pay an average of $572 every year for this life saving medication — an unthinkable sum for many on fixed incomes. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, insulin copays for seniors on Medicare will be capped at $35 each month starting in 2023.

New Video Explains Inflation Reduction Act’s Key Measures to Lower Premiums and Prescription Drug Costs for Millions

Watch Protect Our Care’s New Explainer Video Here.

Washington DC — Today, Protect Our Care is announcing four themed weeks to raise awareness of The Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions to lower health care costs for millions of Americans. The bill will drive down health care premiums for 13 million Americans and lower the cost of prescription drugs by giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices, capping seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs, and stopping egregious price hikes. These measures will deliver long-overdue relief to working families and seniors, and they will address the deep racial inequities in our health care system. Week one focuses on how Republican lawmakers voted in unison against this historic legislation and stood by Big Pharma instead of the American people.

“For years, Republicans have waged a partisan war on health care, and this vote is no different,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “By opposing the Inflation Reduction Act, every Republican in the House and the Senate voted to raise premiums and keep drug costs sky-high for millions of seniors and working families. As we approach the fall, it has never been more important to educate Americans about who is working to deliver real relief to families and who is working to deliver higher profits for big drug companies and their executives.” 

Over the next four weeks, Protect Our Care will release fact sheets and host nationwide events with elected officials, storytellers, and health care advocates to highlight the Inflation Reduction Act’s critical measures to drive down health care and prescription drug costs.

Inflation Reduction Act Themed Weeks:

• Week 1: GOP Accountability. Week one focuses on how every Republican lawmaker in Congress stood by Big Pharma and other special interests and voted against lower health care costs for the American people.
• Week 2: Seniors. Week two is bringing attention to the Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions to lower prescription drug costs for millions of seniors. 
• Week 3: Lower Health Care Premiums. Week three focuses on how millions of Americans will save on their health care premiums thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. 
• Week 4: Cancer. The final week highlights how patients fighting serious diseases like cancer stand to save thousands of dollars a year on their health care costs. 

FACT SHEET: Every Republican Voted To Keep Drug Prices High And Charge Millions Of Americans More For Health Insurance

While President Biden and Congressional Democrats fought tirelessly to pass the historic health care investments included in the Inflation Reduction Act, every Republican in the House and Senate opted to keep drug prices high and charge millions of Americans more for health care by voting against the bill. And now Republican leaders like Rick Scott and Chip Roy are even threatening to shut down the federal government to try and roll back this law and force Americans to pay more for their health care and prescription drugs. 

This historic legislation reduces the cost of prescription drugs by reining in Big Pharma and slashes costs for millions of Americans purchasing coverage on their own through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. Not only does this law address our most pressing health care challenges, it also puts downward pressure on rising costs and is backed by more than 120 world renowned economists. But Republicans stood against all of that by giving in to hundreds of millions of dollars in Big Pharma pressure and standing in unified opposition to the Inflation Reduction Act. 

Republicans have worked relentlessly for over a decade to repeal and sabotage the ACA  and now they’re continuing their campaign for higher costs and worse care by opposing the historic investment in health care made by the Inflation Reduction Act, which improves the health and well-being of seniors, people of color, rural Americans, and people with disabilities, strengthens families, and will save lives. 

Read the full fact sheet here.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05), Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06), U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Peter Welch (VT-AL), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Darren Soto (FL-09), Susan Wild (PA-07), Susie Lee (NV-03), and Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

Over the last two weeks, Protect Our Care hosted events across the nation with national lawmakers and health care advocates to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. These measures will deliver long-overdue relief to working families and seniors, and it will address the deep racial inequities in our health care system. Last week, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, overcoming unified Republican opposition and record lobbying from Big Pharma and other special interests to finally put people over profits. More information on The Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. 

NATIONAL

On Friday, August 12, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05) and U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06) joined Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference ahead of the House vote on the Inflation Reduction Act. The legislation takes critical steps to lower health care premiums and prescription drug costs for the American people. Watch the event here. 

Coverage:

• The Hill: Health Care — House passes sweeping bill with health measures
• The National News: US House passes Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act
• Just The News: House Democrats reject GOP amendment to prevent hiring of 87,000 new IRS agents
• Politico: Pausing recess — Dems’ big bill hits the House
• Washington Post: Trump Mar-a-Lago search goes nuclear

On Tuesday, August 9, U.S. Representatives Peter Welch (D-VT-AL) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) joined patient advocates and Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act’s critical measures to lower health care premiums and prescription drug costs for the American people. You can watch the event here. 

ARIZONA

On Wednesday, August 17, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) joined AARP State Director, Dana Kennedy, Protect Our Care Arizona storyteller Kathy Saulsberry, and Arizona advocates at the Arizona AARP headquarters to discuss what the historic passage of the Inflation Reduction Act will mean for Arizonans struggling with high prescription drug and health care costs. “After decades of politicians from both parties promising that they would get this done, we got this across the finish line for Arizonans and the American people who have been waiting way too long,” said Senator Kelly during the roundtable. You can watch the event here. 

Coverage: 

• AZ Family/CBS 5: Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly weighs in on Inflation Reduction Act
• ABC15: Inflation Reduction Act is ‘good news for all of us,’ Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego says 
• Public News Service: Inflation Reduction Act to Save Seniors Millions on Drug Costs 
• KJZZ: Sen. Mark Kelly joins AARP to celebrate changes to Medicare prescription drugs 

On Thursday, August 18, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra hosted a roundtable in Phoenix, Arizona, supported by Protect Our Care Arizona. The roundtable focused on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality health care. During the roundtable, the Secretary highlighted key health care wins in the Inflation Reduction Act, including new HHS authorities that will make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors. 

COLORADO

On Tuesday, August 9, Protect Our Care Colorado joined Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper to celebrate Senate passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.  Bennet and Hickenlooper secured critical resources and provisions in the historic legislation to lower health care and prescription drug costs, tackle climate change, reduce the U.S. deficit, and help fight inflation for hard-working Coloradans. You can watch the event here.

Coverage: 

• Colorado Public Radio: Bennet, Hickenlooper help pass Democrat’s climate, health and tax bill
• The Denver Channel: Democrats laud coming impact Inflation Reduction Act will have on Colorado 
• Real Vail: Senate passes IRA with largest ever investment in climate rescue infrastructure
• Colorado Times Recorder: Colorado Democrats, environmental groups cheer Senate passage of ‘historic’ climate bill
• AccessWire: Colorado VNA receives 2.3 million grant to expand CAPABLE program Denver Post: Colorado’s U.S. Senate candidates spar over $433 billion climate bill 
• Axios: Colorado is a battleground for how to frame new bill

FLORIDA

On Wednesday, August 10, U.S. Representative Darren Soto (D-FL-09) joined Protect Our Care Florida to discuss Senate Democrats passing the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. “The advance premium tax credit appears to be saved and extended for three years– to 2025– under the Inflation Reduction Act. This is a huge win for Florida that is imminent,” said Congressman Darren Soto. “It means brighter days are ahead. Lower costs. Better healthcare. And a brighter future.” You can watch the event here. 

Coverage: 

• WMFE NPR: Central Florida healthcare advocates call for passage of Inflation Reduction Act
• Florida Phoenix: U.S. drug price controls could kneecap DeSantis’ Canada prescription import plan

On Thursday, August 18, U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-FL-13) joined Protect Our Care Florida along with health care advocates to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. “Florida is the biggest winner from the Inflation Reduction Act, with huge savings for Floridians, no thanks to Republicans like Ron DeSantis,” said Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL-13th). “But make no mistake, where Republicans failed, Florida Democrats in Congress stepped up and delivered. This bill is a home run; it is common sense. It addresses our most pressing healthcare challenges, and it brings costs down.” You can watch the event here. 

Coverage: 

• Florida Politics: Inflation Reduction Act is the law, but partisan politicking continues
• WCJB-TV (ABC 20): Rep. Chris Discusses How Inflation Reduction Act will Benefit FL Seniors
• WESH-TV(NBC 2): Rep. Crist to Discuss Lower Drug Costs with Seniors
• WCJB-TV (ABC 20): Gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried campaigns in Gainesville by touring in a bus  

GEORGIA

On Wednesday, August 17, Protect Our Care Georgia supported a virtual press conference to discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act will lower health care costs, reduce energy costs, and fight inflation without raising taxes a single penny for middle class Georgians – while all eight of Georgia’s House Republicans voted to stand with Big Pharma and special interests instead of Georgia families. “Yesterday, President Biden’s signature of the Inflation Reduction Act capped off months of intensive efforts by congressional Democrats to get a historic package across the finish line – that boldly takes on special interests to tackle inflation, cuts health care and energy costs for millions of Americans, all without raising taxes on anyone making less than $400,000 a year,” said Congressman Hank Johnson. “One victory Georgians can be particularly proud of is this legislation’s provisions to finally allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, cap out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors, and cap the cost of insulin for Medicare recipients who rely on it. Big Pharma has fought tooth and nail to stop these things from ever becoming law. But Democrats fought and secured their passage, and the president’s signature yesterday enshrined them into the books of law.” You can watch the event here. 

Coverage: 

• Local 3 News: Georgia Democrats on Inflation Reduction Act

NEW HAMPSHIRE

On Tuesday, August 9, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) held a press conference at Amoskeag Health with local health care advocates, medical professionals and area residents impacted by pharmaceutical costs to celebrate the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act last weekend by the U.S. Senate. “This bill will help bring down the cost of prescription drugs for not just Medicare patients, but consumers across the board by putting pressure on Big Pharma to lower their prices,” said Senator Hassan. 

Coverage:

• Manchester Ink Link: Hassan joins local advocates in touting Inflation Reduction Act’s passage

NEW JERSEY

On Thursday, August 11,  Protect Our Care joined Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) at a press conference in Woodbridge with local elected leaders and health care advocates on the Inflation Reduction Act.“The Inflation Reduction Act is one of the most significant pieces of health care legislation to move through Congress in over a decade. It finally breaks Big Pharma’s monopoly on prescription drug prices. No one should have to choose between paying for life saving medications or food and rent,” said Rep. Pallone. “Importantly, it will help ensure seniors are no longer ripped off at the pharmacy counter by capping both their annual out-of-pocket drug spending as well as how much they can be charged for insulin. It also penalizes Big Pharma companies for unfairly hiking prices on seniors.” You can watch the event here. 

Coverage:

• Central Jersey: Congressman Frank Pallone highlights Inflation Reduction Act
• News 12 New Jersey: Congress considers bill to lower cost of prescription drugs, health care for seniors

On Monday, August 15, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-09) and health care advocates  joined Protect Our Care New Jersey to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. “Last week Democrats passed one of the most significant acts by Congress in history. In one fell swoop we made the largest investment in fighting climate change ever, brought down inflation, increased tax fairness, and reduced prescription drug prices for millions of Americans,” said Congressman Bill Pascrell. “This bill is a victory for those who cannot afford life-saving medication. It is a win for those struggling to pay for insurance. It is a gamechanger for small business owners like Patrick Hall faced with high premiums. I could not be more proud of the work we put in to pass this bill. It is damning beyond all comprehension that not a single Republican in all of Congress voted for this. Yet, with or without them, we will continue to create lasting change for the American people.” You can watch the event here. 

Coverage: 

• New Jersey Globe: Inflation Reduction Act will lower drug costs, Pascrell says
• WPIX: Congressman Pascrell and Health Care Advocates Discuss Legislation Headed to President Biden’s Desk
• WMBC-TV: Lowering Healthcare Costs

NEVADA 

• On Friday, August 19, Friday, August 19 HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Governor Steve Sisolak, and Protect Our Care Nevada organized a roundtable in Reno, Nevada with Governor Steve Sisolak. The roundtable focused on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality health care. During the roundtable, the Secretary highlighted key health care wins in the Inflation Reduction Act, including new HHS authorities that will make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors. 

Coverage: 

• KRNV: U.S. Health and Human Services secretary talks prescription drugs, mental health in Reno
• KTVN: HHS Secretary Becerra, Governor Sisolak participate in Inflation Reduction Act Roundtable
• Indy DC Download: Ahead of election, Democrats tout perks of Inflation Reduction Act
• KTVN-TV (CBS): HHS Sec. Becerra and Gov. Sisolak host prescription drugs roundtable

OHIO

On Wednesday, August 1, State Representative Brigid Kelly and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care Ohio to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. “Ensuring people have real access to health care – I’m talking about coverage they can actually afford to use – is a hard fight, made even more difficult when elected leaders choose to create barriers to care instead of making coverage easier to obtain,” said State Representative Brigid Kelly. “But now, Democrats in Congress have passed – and President Biden has signed – The Inflation Reduction Act, which will lower costs and improve health care for millions of Americans.” You can watch the event here. 

Coverage: 

• Gongwer: Advocates Hope Federal Law Leads To Broader Affordable Insulin Access
• WBNS: Ohio Leaders Address Health Care Costs
• WBNS: How Inflation Reduction Act Helps Ohioans 

PENNSYLVANIA

On Thursday, August 11, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-07) joined Protect Our Care Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Health Access Network, For Our Future PA, and Family Friendly Pennsylvania to emphasize the need for Congress to lower prescription drug costs by passing the Inflation Reduction Act. Rep. Wild has been a national leader on this issue both in the House and in pressuring the Senate to take action. Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act will allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices for the first time in history, limit onerous price hikes, and cap seniors’ drug costs. These actions are vital to fixing the broken system that all too often forces patients to choose between paying the bills and affording the drugs they need. You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• WFMZ-TV 69 (Philadelphia): Susan Wild Discusses Inflation Reduction Act with Health Care Advocates
• WFMZ-TV 69 (Philadelphia): Rep. Susan Wild Discusses IRA Lower Rx Drug Cost Measures with Constituents

On Thursday, August 18, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) joined local health care advocates to discuss what the historic passage of the Inflation Reduction Act will mean for Pennsylvania seniors struggling with high prescription drug costs. “The high cost of insulin is a horror for so many Americans and we had the chance in this bill that passed — and thankfully the whole bill passed — but we had a moment where the bill that went to the Senate floor had the same $35 cap for all Americans. We needed Republican votes and we couldn’t get those votes, so the reason it’s not in the bill is the fault of one party in the United States. But that doesn’t mean we’re not going to keep fighting the fight,” said Senator Casey. 

Coverage: 

• WGAL: Sen. Bob Casey discusses how new law will lower health care costs for seniors
• WHTM-HAR (ABC): Sen. Casey Discusses How IRA Will Benefit PA Seniors
• WGAL-HAR (NBC): Sen. Casey Meets with Seniors on IRA Rx Drug Reforms
• WHTM-HAR (ABC): Sen. Casey Calls Out Republicans for Blocking Reforms to Lower Cost of Insulin
• WPMT-HAR (FOX): Sen. Casey Meets with Seniors Who Will Benefit from IRA Health Measures
• 21 News (CBS):  Rising Insulin Prices Cause Growing Concern
• Penn Live:  Senator Casey Touts Legislative Success in Harrisburg

WEST VIRGINIA

On Thursday, August 18, Protect Our Care West Virginia joined with health care experts for a press conference to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for West Virginians. “The Inflation Reduction Act will be a game-changer for millions of people,” said Lynette Maselli, state director of Protect Our Care West Virginia. “Medicare will have the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, millions of seniors will save  thousands of dollars a year and will no longer have to choose between paying the bills and affording their lifesaving prescriptions, and middle-class families will save on their health insurance premiums. And all of this at a time when Americans are looking for relief from rising prices.”

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 22 AT 10:00 AM PT***

The Inflation Reduction Act Will Lower Costs, Help Nevadans Save on Premiums, and Allow Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices 

Las Vegas, Nevada — On Monday, August 22nd at 10:00 am, Congresswoman Susie Lee will join Protect Our Care Nevada to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans.

The Inflation Reduction Act will lower the cost of health insurance and drive down prescription drug prices by giving Medicare the power to negotiate, capping seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for drugs at $2,000 per year, capping insulin costs, and stopping Big Pharma’s egregious price hikes. This bill will help lower costs for millions of working families, address the deep racial inequities in our health care system and save lives. This historic legislation ends a 20-year era of pharmaceutical companies’ greed taking precedence over the health and well-being of the American people.

By passing this legislation, Democrats delivered on their promise to lower health care costs and rein in high drug prices — a stark contrast from  every Republican who voted no. American families have been asking and waiting for this day, and now help is on the way.

WHO: Congresswoman Susie Lee and health care advocates

WHAT: Press Conference

WHEN: Monday, August 22, 2022 at 10:00 AM PT

WHERE: Soriano Conference Room in the Engelstad Building at  Roseman University
10530 Discovery Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89135

Watch the livestream.

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 18 AND FRIDAY, AUGUST 19***

Secretary Becerra Will Highlight Key Health Care Wins in the Inflation Reduction Act for Communities in the Southwest and Across the Country

Phoenix, AZ – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra will host two roundtables. The first roundtable will focus on reproductive rights. During the roundtable, the Secretary will highlight the Department’s work to protect access to reproductive rights following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.   

The second roundtable will focus on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality health care. During the roundtable, the Secretary will highlight key health care wins in the Inflation Reduction Act, including new HHS authorities that will make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.   

ROUNDTABLE EVENT:

WHO:
HHS Secretary Becerra
Congressman Greg Stanton (AZ-09) 

WHAT: Roundtable on Lowering Prescription Drugs

WHERE: Chicanos Por La Causa Maryvale Community Service Center
6850 W Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85033

WHEN: Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 12:00 PM MST

Reno, NV – Secretary Becerra will host two roundtables. The first roundtable will focus on key health care provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, and the second roundtable will focus on youth mental health as students prepare to return to school in the fall.  

During the second roundtable, Secretary Becerra will highlight his National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health and other work HHS is doing as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive national strategy to tackle our nation’s mental and behavioral health crisis. 

ROUNDTABLE EVENT:

WHO:
HHS Secretary Becerra
Governor Steve Sisolak 

WHAT: Roundtable on Inflation Reduction Act

WHERE: Community Health Alliance
5055 Sun Valley Blvd, Suite 100
Sun Valley, NV 89433 

WHEN: Friday, August 19, 2022 at 9 AM PST 

PRESS: For interested media, please RSVP to [email protected].

Washington DC — Today, the New York Times reported that Mary K. Wakefield, former Deputy Secretary of HHS in the Obama administration, has been appointed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky to lead CDC’s shift to a stronger public health focus. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:

“I worked closely with Mary Wakefield every day when I served as senior counselor to the Secretary of HHS under President Obama. The CDC could not have selected a better person for this role. Mary is tough, compassionate, and effective. She is a consummate manager who cares equally about people and results. This is the right path for the CDC and the right person to lead the effort.”

Washington DC — Yesterday, the Biden-Harris administration approved extending Medicaid postpartum coverage for 12 months in Hawaii, Maryland and Ohio. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, up to 34,000 people will become eligible for affordable health care thanks to the American Rescue Plan’s provision to strengthen maternal health coverage. Yesterday’s action combined with previously-approved state extensions brings the total to more than 20 states and D.C. – covering an estimated 318,000 Americans – where this postpartum coverage will be available. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“From day one, the Biden-Harris administration has prioritized making health care more affordable and equitable, and this announcement marks another victory for American families. Thousands will have access to essential maternal health care thanks to this 12-month extension of Medicaid coverage, which was enabled by the American Rescue Plan. This is a critical step in fighting the maternal mortality crisis and eliminating racial disparities within our health care system, particularly for Black mothers and their babies. Seventeen states have refused to take advantage of this option, leaving too many families without life saving care. It’s time for every state to take action now to save lives.”   

Background:

17 States Have Refused To Expand Postpartum Medicaid For A Year After Birth. The 17 states that have failed to expand Medicaid to cover postpartum coverage for a year after birth include five states that haven’t adopted Medicaid expansion and eleven states that banned abortion. Almost all have Republican governors. Policies in these Republican held and gridlock states put new mothers at severe risk to lose stable and consistent coverage during a period of medical vulnerability.

Access To Care Is Essential At Every Stage. There is an urgent need for quality, affordable health coverage prior to, during, and after giving birth. While 48 percent of maternal deaths occur during pregnancy and delivery, more than half, 52 percent, occur in the year following the birth of a child. 12 percent of maternal deaths are deemed ‘late’, occurring between six weeks and one year following delivery, demonstrating the immense need for continuous health access and coverage for a minimum of one year following the birth of a child.

More Than Four In 10 Births Are Covered By Medicaid. In 2018, 42 percent of births were financed by Medicaid, with 40 percent or more births covered by the program in 25 states. Rates varied across the nation, with 61 percent of births financed by Medicaid in Louisiana, and 22 percent in Utah. In the 12 states that have refused Medicaid expansion, eight had more than 40 percent of births covered by Medicaid. Medicaid covers 65 percent of all births to Black mothers.