News

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021***

TODAY: Protect Our Care to Host Events in WV, OH, GA, ME with Elected Officials and Health Care Advocates Calling for Congressional Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

Washington, DC — On Thursday, May 6, 2021 elected officials and local advocates will join Protect Our Care in West Virginia, Ohio, Georgia, and Maine for virtual press conferences to call on Congress to take action to lower prescription drug costs for Americans. For too long the system has been rigged in favor of drug companies, and it’s time to put patients, not profits, first. Lowering prescription drug costs remains a priority for West Virginians, Ohioans, Georgians, Mainers, and patients across the country. 

New polling shows that after addressing COVID-19, the top issue for voters is lowering health and drug costs, and 93% support giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. In 2019, House Democrats passed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), bold legislation to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug costs — the single most effective measure to bring down drug prices. In April, House Democrats reintroduced this legislation, giving Congress another opportunity to lower prescription drug costs, and meet the demands of voters.

THURSDAY EVENTS

WEST VIRGINIA

WHO: 

West Virginians for Affordable Healthcare 

West Virginia Citizen Action Group 

National Association of Social Workers WV

Protect Our Care WV

Mindy Salango, Type 1 diabetic who struggles to afford her insulin

Rusty Williams, cancer survivor who struggles with cost of medications

WHAT: West Virginians Call for Congressional Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 9:30 AM ET

OHIO

WHO:

State Rep. Allison Russo

John Kennedy, Insulin for All Ohio

Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, health care advocate

WHAT: Ohio Leaders and Advocates to Call for Congressional Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Thursday, May 6 at 11:00 AM ET

GEORGIA

WHO:
State Rep. Matthew Wilson
Whitney Griggs, Georgians for a Healthy Future
Nedra Fortson, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, MBA, RN, Nurse Practitioner
Himali Patel, small business owner reliant on life-saving prescription drugs 

WHAT: Representative Matthew Wilson, Protect Our Care Georgia, and Advocates Call for Congressional Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event

WHEN: Thursday, May 6, 11:00 AM ET

MAINE

WHO:

Senate President Troy Jackson
Greg Marley, LCSW, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Maine
Marie Follayttar, Mainers for Accountable Leadership

WHAT: Press Call to Call for Congressional Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

WHERE: Dial-in: 877-229-8493; Pin: 114927

WHEN: Thursday, May 6 at 11:00 AM ET

Yesterday, House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06) and local health advocates joined Protect Our Care New Jersey for a virtual press conference to call on Congress to take action to lower prescription drug costs for Americans. Lowering prescription drug costs remains a priority for New Jerseyans and patients across the country. 

New polling shows that after addressing COVID-19, the top issue for voters is lowering health and drug costs, and 93% support giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. Coverage confirms that Congressman Pallone and his Democratic colleagues are committed to delivering on their promise to stand up to Big Pharma and finally give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans.

COVERAGE

The Hill: Pallone Commits to Using ‘Whatever Vehicle I Can’ to Pass Democrats’ Drug Pricing Bill. “House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) on Tuesday said he would use ‘whatever vehicle I can’ to pass the Democrats’ drug pricing bill, known as H.R. 3, that would allow the federal government to negotiate for decreased prices on behalf of Medicare. Pallone joined health advocates from Protect Our Care New Jersey in calling for Congress to move forward with H.R. 3, or the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, to reduce prescription drug prices.” [The Hill, 5/4/21] 

Bloomberg Law: Drug Pricing Bill Could Be Added to Infrastructure, Pallone Says. “Rep. Frank Pallone, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, says he’s open to including Democrats’ signature drug-pricing negotiation bill in the party’s economic and infrastructure package. Pallone tells reporters he’s ‘going to use whatever vehicle I can to get this done.’” [Bloomberg Law, 5/4/21] 

New Jersey Spotlight News: Pallone Pushes Legislation Aimed at Lowering Prescription Drug Prices. “On Tuesday, Rep. Frank Pallone called on Congress and the Biden administration to make cutting the cost of prescription drugs a top priority. Promoting his reintroduced legislation, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act — which stalled after passing in the House in 2019 — Pallone (D-6th) said the legislation would allow the federal government to negotiate prescription prices for Medicare based on the cost of the same pharmaceutical drugs in other western nations.” [NJ Spotlight News, 5/4/21] 

Insider NJ: Pallone and Local Health Advocates Call on Congress to Lower Prescription Drug Prices for New Jerseyans. “In 2019, House Democrats passed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), bold legislation to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug costs — the single most effective measure to bring down drug prices. In April, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone reintroduced this legislation, giving Congress another opportunity to lower prescription drug costs, and meet the demands of voters.” [Insider NJ, 5/4/21] 

Democrats Advocate for Lower Drug Prices As Republicans Go to Bat for Big Pharma 

Washington, DC — Today, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing on legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs. The hearing, led by Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06) and Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA-18), focused on a number of proposals to bring down drug prices, including the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3). Democrats in the hearing made a strong and compelling case for giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. Republicans, meanwhile, went to bat for Big Pharma which is enjoying record profits and is breaking records for the money it’s spending on K Street lobbyists to block any legislation to lower prices for patients. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:

“We commend Chairman Pallone, Chairwoman Eshoo, and House Democrats for holding this important hearing on one of the biggest concerns for American families: the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs. Year after year, we see unjustified price hikes on lifesaving drugs like insulin and, even during the pandemic, drug companies have already raised the prices of more than a thousand medicines. It is unacceptable that Americans have to pay three times as much for drugs as people in other countries and downright wrong that people are forced to choose between taking their medicine and buying their groceries.

“H.R. 3 would finally put an end to Big Pharma’s greed by including the single most effective way to lower drug prices: giving Medicare the power to negotiate on behalf of all Americans. There has never been a more critical time to bring down drug prices, and today’s discussion sends a strong message that Democrats are laser-focused on delivering on their health care promises for the American people.” 

BACKGROUND:

Democrats’ Drug Pricing Proposal Would Save Taxpayers Nearly $500 Billion Over The Next 10 Years. Analyses from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and the CMS Office of the Actuary the bill confirmed it would reduce negotiated drug prices by as much as 55%– saving patients an estimated $158 billion over the next few years and decreasing deficits by $456 billion. 

H.R. 3 Could Save Patients Thousands Of Dollars On Costly Medications. The Center for American Progress calculated average savings for several drugs that would likely meet the criteria for negotiation under H.R. 3. In addition to achieving thousands of dollars in monthly savings on expensive treatments for conditions like cancer and multiple sclerosis, H.R. 3 would help lower the cost of insulin for some diabetics by more than $700 annually. 

Additional information on rising drug costs can be found here: The Time To Act Is Now: Lower Drug Prices For All Americans. 

Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06) and Local Health Advocates Joined Protect Our Care New Jersey for a Virtual Press Conference to Call on Congress to Take Action to Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Americans

NEW JERSEY — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06) and local health advocates joined Protect Our Care New Jersey for a virtual press conference to call on Congress to take action to lower prescription drug costs for Americans. For too long the system has been rigged in favor of drug companies, and it’s time to put patients, not profits, first.

Lowering prescription drug costs remains a priority for New Jerseyans and patients across the country. New polling shows that after addressing COVID-19, the top issue for voters is lowering health and drug costs, and 93% support giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices.

In 2019, House Democrats passed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), bold legislation to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug costs — the single most effective measure to bring down drug prices. In April, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone reintroduced this legislation, giving Congress another opportunity to lower prescription drug costs, and meet the demands of voters.

“Americans pay more for prescription drugs than any other country in the world, and as a result too many New Jerseyans do not take their medications because of high costs,” Pallone said. “This legislation will dramatically rein in costs by finally empowering the federal government to negotiate fair prescription drug prices with Big Pharma. It will also decrease consumers’ out-of-pocket costs and reduce Medicare and private health insurance premiums. This historic legislation finally levels the playing field, and I look forward to working with the Biden Administration to pass it into law. I want to thank Protect Our Care and everyone who joined us today for highlighting why it’s so important we get this legislation across the finish line.”

Dr. Aakash Shah is an emergency medicine physician in New Jersey.

“I’ll never forget the day a patient asked whether his diabetes or high blood pressure would harm him more. He could only afford to take medications for one but not both, and wanted my advice to help him decide which. He was just one of many who have had to cut pills and skip doses because of their costs and at the expense of their health,” shared Dr. Shah. “As we look to rebuild and recover from this pandemic, our leaders have the chance to change exactly that – to make medications more affordable – by writing a policy prescription that I know my patients need now more than ever.”  

Gretchen Landenburger, 68, is a Medicare patient from Cape May, New Jersey. She is immunocompromised with chronic bronchitis and takes 10 different medications every day, including breathing treatments that can be very time consuming.

“I have been on Medicare since last year, and it doesn’t cover three of the medications I need most, which used to give me freedom from needing to be home for multiple daily treatments,” said Landenburger. “I now have to pay up to $10,000 per year in medications, not including the nearly $4,000 per month medication I need the most, which I simply cannot afford. Something needs to change, and it is time for Congress to lower prescription drug prices.”

You can watch the press conference here, and learn more about how the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) will make prescription drugs more affordable here.

Washington, D.C. — Four years ago, House Republicans took a fateful vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which would have ripped coverage away from more than 20 million Americans and protections from 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. Four years later, the law is stronger than ever as President Biden is delivering on his promise to build on the health care law and expand access to affordable health care. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:

“Elections matter. Republicans paid for this disastrous vote in 2018 when they lost the House and again in 2020 when Democrats took back control of the White House and Senate. President Biden has already made good on his promise to strengthen the ACA by passing the American Rescue Plan, opening a special enrollment period to help people gain coverage during the pandemic, and reversing former President Trump’s efforts to sabotage the health care law. And just last week, President Biden unveiled the American Families Plan which will help millions of people continue to save on their health coverage and called for Congress to give Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies to lower drug prices for Americans. What a difference four years and a couple of elections make.”

BACKGROUND: 

100 Days In: Joe Biden’s Health Care Presidency

After just 100 days in office, President Biden has proven he is a health care president. In a stark contrast to the past four years of Republican sabotage on health care, President Biden has taken swift action to expand coverage, lower costs, and reduce racial disparities in health care all while working to contain the coronavirus pandemic. President Biden championed the American Rescue Plan to help the country get the pandemic under control, put forth policies that will build on the strong foundation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), opened a special enrollment period to help Americans get coverage, removed barriers to enrolling in Medicaid, and reversed the Trump administration’s dangerous position trying to invalidate the ACA. 

And just last week, President Biden unveiled the American Families Plan, which builds on the historic health care gains of the American Rescue Plan by making its dramatic reduction in health insurance premiums permanent. President Biden also reaffirmed his commitment to giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices and lowering the eligibility age of Medicare to get more Americans covered. 

The American Rescue Plan

On March 11, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law, historic legislation that includes measures to expand coverage and to dramatically lower health care costs for millions of Americans. The American Rescue plan: 

• Lowers health care costs for millions by increasing financial assistance in the exchanges for the next two years and making financial assistance more widely available to middle class families, ensuring people purchasing coverage on the ACA marketplaces do pay more than 8.5 percent of their income for coverage. In addition to lowering costs for the nine million people currently receiving financial assistance on the marketplace, the American Rescue Plan makes generous subsidies available to 14.9 million uninsured people, according to estimates from the Biden administration. Experts say as many as 25 million Americans could benefit from these provisions. 
  • Uninsured couples earning more than $70,000 will save $1,000 per month on premiums. 
  • A family of four earning $90,000 will save $200 per month.
  • An individual making $19,000 will not have to pay a monthly premium, saving roughly $66 per month on average.
• Expands coverage by providing robust financial incentives for the 14 states that have not yet implemented Medicaid expansion. Even after paying for the cost of expansion, these states could receive billions in additional funding that could be used to offset spending in other state programs or budget shortfalls. The Urban Institute estimates that more than 6 million people could enroll in Medicaid coverage if the remaining states implemented expansion. This includes at least 2.4 million people of color, 500,000 people with disabilities and almost a million older Americans who are currently uninsured. 
• Increases vaccine distribution by investing $160 billion in direct COVID-19 response, including ramping up vaccination efforts, boosting testing, shoring up supplies of PPE, expanding sequencing and analytics efforts, and hiring 100,000 public health workers. This much needed funding will make sure more Americans are able to get vaccinated more quickly, which is key to getting the pandemic under control. Already, more than 230 million doses have been administered — more than doubling the President’s original goal of 100 million shots in 100 days. Roughly 96 million Americans have been fully vaccinated. 
• Strengthens health care in vulnerable communities by providing health services for underserved populations, including expanding Community Health Centers and investing in health services on tribal lands. These funds will support the expansion of COVID-19 treatment and care as well as provide the vaccine to underserved populations.

Increasing Health Care Access & Prioritizing Health Care Equity 

• President Biden reopened HealthCare.gov for a special enrollment period to help Americans gain coverage as they continue to suffer from the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. More than 528,000 Americans signed up for insurance through the ACA Marketplace during the first six weeks of the special enrollment period, and 17 percent of sign-ups came from Black Americans. 
• The Biden administration is investing $50 million in marketing and education efforts during the special enrollment period to reach groups that have historically experienced lower access to health coverage and greater disparities in health outcomes. The administration is also providing a record $80 million in Navigator funding for the 2022 plan year to further boost enrollment.
• In order to address racial disparities in coverage rates, the administration has re-engaged with partner organizations, such as the NAACP, UnidosUS, and AARP to ensure Black and Latino Americans in particular are able to enroll. 
• President Biden established a COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force to mitigate the health disparities revealed and exacerbated by the pandemic. 
• President Biden directed federal agencies to consider actions to strengthen and protect access to health care. 

Reversing Trump Sabotage

• The Biden administration announced it will defend the Affordable Care Act in California v. Texas, the lawsuit before the Supreme Court to completely dismantle the law. This move reverses the Trump administration’s support for ripping away coverage from more than 20 million Americans and protections for 135 million people with pre-existing conditions.
• President Biden directed federal agencies to re-examine policies that undermine the ACA and Medicaid. These policies include:
  • Policies that undermine protections for people with pre-existing conditions, including COVID-19
  • ACA and Medicaid waivers that could reduce enrollment, including Medicaid work requirements and block grants 
  • Policies that undermine the ACA Marketplace, like Georgia’s waiver request to pull out of HealthCare.gov with no state-based replacement 
  • Policies that make it more difficult to enroll in the ACA or Medicaid
  • Policies that reduce coverage affordability or limit financial assistance
• The Biden administration sent letters to states signaling it would end Trump’s disastrous work requirements program. So far, the Biden administration has rescinded permissions for work requirements programs in Michigan, Wisconsin, Arkansas, and New Hampshire. The Biden administration also put on hold Georgia’s limited Medicaid expansion waiver that required recipients to work, which was previously approved by the Trump administration.
• The Biden administration began rolling back Trump’s gag rule that barred family planning providers from mentioning abortion to patients in order to receive Title X funding. Trump’s rule forced more than 1,000 clinics to leave the program and reduced the provider capacity of the Title X network by nearly half. The Biden administration’s rule will restore essential funding back to these providers, like Planned Parenthood, which offer essential health care services to low-income patients, including STI screenings and contraception. 
• The Biden administration is reviewing Trump’s expansion of association health plans, which can skirt the ACA’s important protections. 
• The Biden administration rescinded Trump’s public charge rule, which effectively served as a wealth test for people seeking residency in the United States. Experts point to Trump’s immigration policies, such as the public charge rule, for having deterred many Latino families from obtaining insurance, resulting in steep coverage losses, especially for children.

April is Medicaid Awareness Month, and Protect Our Care hosted nationwide events to recognize the crucial role Medicaid plays in Americans’ health care and highlight recent efforts to expand Medicaid programs in the states that have yet to enact expansion. Protect Our Care was joined by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), U.S. Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH-13), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes (D-WI), as well as other local elected officials, storytellers, and health care advocates in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

During Medicaid Awareness Month, Protect Our Care also launched a campaign to push the Republican governors and state legislators in the 14 holdout states to accept the additional funds now available to them through the American Rescue Plan to expand Medicaid. POC released a series of reports including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Texas. The campaign — featuring a website and digital ads — will also hold Republicans in Congress accountable for their votes against the American Rescue Plan and their efforts to sabotage Medicaid at every turn. 

Throughout the month, Protect Our Care also released a series of reports on how Medicaid is a lifeline for children and families, communities of color, people with disabilities, seniors and older adults, and women.

Here’s a look at the activities and some of the news coverage that took place over Medicaid Awareness Month:

ALASKA
Wednesday, April 5, 2021 — Medicaid Awareness Month Virtual Event with State Rep. Spohnholz, Alaska Children’s Trust, and Advocates: Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, Alaska Children’s Trust CEO and Executive Director Trevor Storrs and advocates Erin Kirkland and Carolyn Savina Allen, joined Protect Our Care Alaska for a virtual press conference to discuss how the American Rescue Plan strengthens Medicaid in Alaska, and highlight the critical role the program plays in providing health care in the state, especially Alaska’s children. “The Affordable Care Act pays for Alaskans who were covered by Medicaid Expansion at a 90/10 match. That’s the same match as those federal transportation dollars that we love to bring home to the state of Alaska,” said State Rep. Ivy Spohnholz. “Medicaid Expansion has brought in $2.2 billion to our economy at a time when we really needed that. Those dollars are fueling good, high-paying jobs in the health care sector that employees 15% of Alaskans.” You can watch the event here.

FLORIDA
Friday, April 16, 2021 — Virtual Medicaid Awareness/ARP Postpartum Extension Event with State Rep. Kamia Brown, Florida Voices for Health, FL Health Justice Project, and Advocates: State Rep. Kamia Brown, Florida Health Justice Project, Southern Birth Justice Network, Florida Voices for Health and maternal health storytellers joined Protect Our Care Florida for a virtual Zoom event to call on the Senate to sign onto the postpartum Medicaid extension recently passed through a budgetary bill by the Florida House of Representatives. This provision comes at a time when the federal government is offering new incentives for states like Florida to expand their Medicaid programs through the American Rescue Plan. “I’d like to again express my admiration for the Legislature in voting to pass a measure in the budget that would fund Medicaid extension for new mothers, up from 2 months to 12 months,” said State Rep. Kamia Brown (HD-45). “This is a measure I’ve worked hard for years to pass into law, on an issue that is near and dear to my heart; if passed, it would ensue that we have greater health equity and less healthcare disparities in Florida for tens of thousands of black and brown mamas across the state. You can watch the event here.

Coverage
WMFE (NPR Orlando): Health Advocates In Florida Renew Call For Postpartum Medicaid Extension
WFTV (ABC Orlando): Local Leaders and Advocates Call on State Senate to Pass Medicaid Coverage for New Mothers
WFTV (ABC Orlando): Local Leaders and Advocates Call on State Senate to Pass Medicaid Coverage for New Mothers
WFTV (ABC Orlando): Local Leaders and Advocates Call on State Senate to Pass Medicaid Coverage for New Mothers
WFTV (ABC Orlando): Local Leaders and Advocates Call on State Senate to Pass Medicaid Coverage for New Mothers
WMFE (NPR Orlando): Florida Lawmakers Negotiating Budget
WJCT (NPR Jacksonville): Florida Legislature in Final Stages of Negotiating Budget
WLRN (NPR Miami): Florida Legislature in Final Stages of Negotiating Budget

GEORGIA
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 — Medicaid Awareness Month Virtual Event with Georgia Healthcare Experts: Georgians for a Health Future, small business, faith, and health Advocates joined Protect Our Care Georgia for a virtual press conference to call on elected officials to pass Medicaid expansion. As calls for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to quickly formally disapprove of Georgia’s 1115 waiver continue, Georgia’s health care advocates are urging state leaders to drop costly legal battles and pass full Medicaid expansion. Laura Colbert, Executive Director at Georgians for a Healthy Future, described Medicaid expansion as a deal too good to pass up. “It has proven very successful in the other thirty eight states that have adopted it. Medicaid expansion improves health outcomes for adults, improves maternal and infant health, produces budget savings for states and reduces racial health inequities. Over 400 studies have been done that support these facts. The numbers speak for themselves and it’s time for our state to act,” Colbert said. You can watch the event here.

MAINE
Monday, April 12, 2021 — Medicaid Press Call with State Legislators and Advocates: State. Rep. Thom Harnett, Maine Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, Maine Equal Justice, and Maine Consumers for Affordable Health Care joined Protect Our Care Maine for a press call to discuss how the American Rescue Plan strengthens Medicaid in Maine, and to highlight the critical role the program plays in providing health care in the state, including Mainers struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers called for greater federal support for Medicaid and its critical measures that help communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, indigenous communities, Mainers with disabilities, seniors, women and children all access care. State Rep. Harnett stressed, “it is crystal clear that Medicaid is vital to ensuring access to quality, affordable care, especially for communities of color. It is beyond time for Republicans to stop playing politics with their constituents’ health. By refusing to expand Medicaid in their states, Republicans are denying insurance to their most vulnerable populations. The American Rescue Plan gives holdout states yet another opportunity to do the right thing.” You can listen to an audio recording here.

NORTH CAROLINA
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 — Medicaid Awareness Month Virtual Event with State Rep. Linda Cooper-Sugggs, North Carolina Justice Center and Advocates: North Carolina leaders and health care advocates including Rep. Linda Cooper-Suggs and the North Carolina Justice Center joined Protect Our Care North Carolina for a virtual press conference to call on the North Carolina General Assembly to pass Medicaid expansion in the state. “The amount of money that would come into North Carolina from the American Rescue Plan’s incentives at the same time that we could save lives by covering more North Carolinians…what other choice do we have but to expand Medicaid?” said State Rep. Linda-Cooper Suggs. “This is an issue that’s personal to my family and my community,” said Matt Leatherman, whose daughter relies on Medicaid for coverage. “Expanding Medicaid is the evidently correct thing, both morally and fiscally.” You can watch the event here.

OHIO
Thursday, April 15, 2021 — Medicaid Awareness Month Virtual Event with U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH-13), State Rep. Crawley and Advocates: Rep. Tim Ryan, State Rep. Eric Crawley and advocates joined Protect Our Care Ohio for a virtual press conference to discuss how the American Rescue Plan (ARP) strengthens Medicaid, including enhancements to postpartum care for Ohio women enrolled in Medicaid. Speakers also discussed the “Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021,” which would build on the ARP. U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan spoke about Democrats’ efforts to protect access to cost-effective coverage. “The American Rescue Plan secures coverage for more than 7 million additional Americans under the current law, but I am not stopping there, we must continue to work to shore up care for those who have been underserved in the past,” Ryan said. Kelsey Hopkins, Policy Associate at Groundwork Ohio, added, “Medicaid eligible pregnant women should be eligible for 12-month continuous postpartum coverage as included in the American Rescue Plan. It is a powerful tool in preventing infant and maternal mortality and morbidity.” You can watch the event here.

Coverage
WFMJ (NBC Youngstown): Rep. Tim Ryan and Advocates Discuss Medicaid Expansion and ARP Postpartum Provisions

WEST VIRGINIA
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 — Medicaid Awareness Month Virtual Event with West Virginians for Affordable Health Care, Planned Parenthood, Social Workers, and Advocates: Health care advocates joined Protect Our Care, WV for a virtual press conference to discuss how the American Rescue Plan strengthens Medicaid in West Virginia, and highlight the critical role the program plays in providing health care in the state, including those struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers also called out Senator Shelley Moore Capito, as well as Congressmen David McKinley, Alex Mooney and Congresswoman Carol Miller, for voting against the American Rescue Plan and its important Medicaid measures that help children, seniors, and West Virginians with disabilities access care. “The American Rescue Plan shows people that someone has their back by making health care more affordable, and providing support for the hard job of childcare and child rearing,” said Sam Hickman, Director of the West Virginia chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. “West Virginia was already seeing more people sign up for care under expanded Medicaid, without about 30,000 more people becoming eligible,” Hickman said, pointing out that with the resources included in the American Rescue Plan, even more West Virginians have access to care.” You can watch the event here.

Coverage
Public News Service: WV Bill, American Rescue Plan Bolster Medicaid for Mountaineers

WISCONSIN
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 — Medicaid Awareness Month Virtual Event with U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, Wisconsin State Officials, and Advocates: Congresswoman Gwen Moore joined Citizen Action of Wisconsin and Protect Our Care for a virtual press event, along with Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, State Representative Sara Rodriguez, and a school nurse, to call on the Wisconsin Legislature to pass BadgerCare expansion in the state budget. The event is part of Citizen Action of Wisconsin’s ongoing Week of Action in support of health care investments in the state budget and is part of Protect Our Care’s recognition of April as Medicaid Awareness Month. U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore underscored the fiscal implications for the state of Wisconsin if Republicans once again refuse to expand Badgercare, citing the Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s analysis that continued obstruction would cost the state more than $1.6 billion over just the next two years. “Here’s your opportunity to run government like a business,” she noted, “Instead, you’re leaving billions of dollars on the table.” You can watch the event here.

Thursday, April 8, 2021 — Medicaid Awareness Month Virtual Event with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Advocates: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin headlined a virtual media event hosted by Citizen Action of Wisconsin and Protect Our Care Wisconsin calling on Republicans to pass Medicaid expansion in the state. State Representative Jodi Emerson, a retired Wisconsin pediatrician, and home healthcare provider all joined the event to speak about the benefit of expanding Badgercare. In her remarks, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin reminded viewers of the toll the pandemic has taken on so many families, noting the historic job loss and associated impacts of the employer based coverage system that defines American health care. “People in Wisconsin must have quality, affordable health care coverage during and after this crisis,” Baldwin said. “Wisconsin needs to accept the federal investment in Badgercare now.” You can watch the event here.

Coverage
WFRV (CBS Green Bay): Senator Baldwin Is Calling for Medicaid Expansion
WFRV (CBS Green Bay): Expanding Badgercare Debate
WFRV (CBS Green Bay): Calls to Expand Medicaid
WFRV (CBS Green Bay): Calls to Expand Medicaid
WFRV (CBS Green Bay): Calls to Expand Medicaid
WFRV (CBS Green Bay): Calls to Expand Medicaid
WisPolitics: U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and State Rep. Jodi Emerson Slammed State Republican Lawmakers While Advocating for Medicaid Expansion

April is Medicaid Awareness Month. For decades, Medicaid has been a major source of coverage for women and, now, it is serving as a critical safety net as millions of women have lost their jobs or left the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women make up the majority of adult Medicaid enrollees, as they are more likely to have low-incomes or qualify based on their parenting status. Women — and especially women of color — have been disproportionately impacted by pandemic-related job losses, suggesting they have lost employer-sponsored health coverage at higher rates. But experts say an overwhelming majority of people who have lost coverage have been able to get covered under Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

Despite former President Donald Trump’s years-long war on Medicaid, the program is now stronger than ever. President Biden has already started to reverse many of Trump’s harmful Medicaid policies, and he is working to strengthen the program through the American Rescue Plan, the most significant health care expansion in a decade. In addition to providing affordable coverage options for millions of uninsured Americans through the ACA, the American Rescue Plan provides robust financial incentives for the 14 states that have not yet implemented Medicaid expansion. The law also extends Medicaid coverage to new mothers one year postpartum. Protect Our Care recently released a report detailing the impact of the American Rescue Plan on women’s lives.  

Republican Efforts To Block Medicaid Expansion Hurt Women 

The ACA and its expansion of Medicaid helped millions of women gain coverage and access to health care. Research confirms that Medicaid expansion increases access to care, improves financial security, and leads to better health outcomes. A growing body of evidence shows that the expansion of Medicaid has saved lives. Despite the overwhelming benefits of Medicaid expansion, Republicans have spent years undermining the ACA and its expansion of Medicaid at every turn, blocking millions from coverage. 

In 2019, 11 of the 19 states with women’s uninsured rates above the national average had not adopted Medicaid expansion. By rejecting expansion, these states are worsening the maternal health crisis and limiting health care access for the women who need it most. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation: “Uninsured women often have inadequate access to care, get a lower standard of care when they are in the health system, and have poorer health outcomes. Compared to women with insurance, uninsured women have lower use of important preventive services such as mammograms, Pap tests, and timely blood pressure checks.”

Medicaid Is The Largest Payer Of Reproductive Health Care Coverage. Medicaid covers about one in five women of reproductive age, giving them access to reproductive health care services such as birth control, cancer screenings, and maternity care without cost-sharing. Medicaid accounts for 75 percent of all public expenditures on family planning services.

• Medicaid Is The Largest Single Payer Of Pregnancy-Related Services. Federal law requires that Medicaid cover pregnancy-related services and postpartum care to women with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level. Many states have expanded these guidelines. 
• Medicaid Covers Almost Half Of All Births In The United States. Medicaid is a vital source of coverage for new mothers; it covered 43% of all births in the United States in 2016, and it helps nearly half of all pregnant women access prenatal care and child delivery services. 
• Medicaid Expansion Improved Access To Primary Care & Family Planning. Two studies from Michigan showed that Medicaid expansion doubled low-income patients’ access to primary care, and that enrollees experienced improved access to birth control and family planning. 

Medicaid Improves Access To Care For Women. Women with Medicaid are far more likely to receive care than uninsured women. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, women with Medicaid coverage are less likely than women with private insurance to report delaying forgoing care due to cost. Women with Medicaid coverage receive preventive care at roughly the same rates as women with private coverage. 

Medicaid Helps Pay For Long-Term Care, Mostly For Elderly Women. Medicaid pays for roughly half of the nation’s long-term services and supports. Women account for 60 percent of the 11.7 million dual-eligibles, or people who rely on both Medicare and Medicaid for coverage. Most dual-eligibles are elderly, and many need Medicaid coverage for their long-term care needs. Medicaid nearly 40 percent of Latina and African American women over 65 who are also covered by Medicare.

Medicaid Creates Jobs In The Health Industry, Which Employs Nearly 23% Of All Women In The American Workforce. According to the National Women’s Law Center, “Women’s high participation in the health care industry, which employs more than 22.8% of all women in the workforce, means that Medicaid disproportionately creates jobs for women. This is especially true because Medicaid covers services that other payors typically do not cover and are more likely to be delivered by women, like long-term services and supports.”

The ACA’s Medicaid Expansion Improves Maternal Health. Research from the Georgetown Center for Children and Families found that Medicaid expansion has helped fill gaps in maternal health coverage, leading to healthier mothers and babies. It also helps new mothers maintain access to coverage and important postpartum care after giving birth. Multiple studies draw the connection between Medicaid expansion and reduced infant and maternal mortality rates. One study found that reductions in maternal mortality in expansion states were concentrated among Black mothers, “suggesting that expansion could be contributing to decreasing racial disparities in maternal mortality.”