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STATEMENT: Trump’s Pick of RFK Jr. To Lead Department of Health and Human Services Will Put American Lives at Risk

An Anti-Vaccine Zealot and Conspiracy Theorist, Kennedy Poses a Threat to Health Care and Public Health 

Washington, D.C. – Today, Donald Trump took a devastating step towards undermining the health care of millions of Americans and the public health of our nation by nominating Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is an anti-vaccine zealot and conspiracy theorist with no experience or qualifications for any role in managing our nation’s health care, least of all leading the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy’s anti-vaccination beliefs alone could put millions of American lives at risk as vaccine skepticism has grown in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic – which was fueled by the very disinformation and conspiracy theories RFK Jr. has peddled for years.   

On the campaign trail this year alone, RFK Jr. endorsed dangerous anti-vaccination beliefs, spread baseless lies and conspiracy theories about fluoride in the water supply, and promised to stop research on drug development and infectious diseases for eight years. Recently, he proposed a plan that includes radical ideas like slashing funding for the Food and Drug Administration in half and firing over 600 people from the National Institutes of Health. Kennedy’s ideas are completely detached from reality and if he is confirmed, it would be a matter of life or death for countless Americans.

In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued a statement:

“If RFK Jr. becomes Secretary of HHS, millions of American lives will be at risk. Full stop. The selection of Kennedy to lead HHS is a devastating choice for the health and well-being of the American people, especially children. The consequences of this nomination will touch nearly every household in the nation. Not only does he have a long history of pushing dangerous and outlandish anti-vaccine and other health-related conspiracy theories, but he will undoubtedly support MAGA efforts to increase health care costs and slash coverage by repealing the Affordable Care Act, slashing Medicaid and repealing measures to lower drug prices for seniors.

“The American people deserve a leader at HHS who believes in science, who believes in vaccines, and who is committed to building on the progress we have made since the passage of the Affordable Care Act – not someone who will put health care for millions at risk. To put it plainly, RFK Jr. is deeply unqualified, deeply unserious, and deeply dangerous. This nomination would be a joke if it wasn’t so deadly serious and every United States Senator who cares about the health of their constituents should oppose it.” 

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In News

Election Day 2024: Health Care Is on the Ballot

While Kamala Harris Wants to Lower Costs for Seniors and Working Families, Donald Trump Threatens to Throw the American Health Care System Into Chaos 

Election day is finally here, and the future of American health care is at stake. Vice President Kamala Harris has proven to be a health care champion throughout her career in public service. She has fought tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of people across the country. Harris voted time and time again to protect Americans’ health care, to ensure those with pre-existing conditions have access to affordable health care, and to lower costs for American families.

As Vice President, Harris casted the deciding vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act. She is responsible for lowering prescription drug prices, lowering premium costs for millions of hardworking families, and capping insulin copays at $35 per month. As a senator from California, Harris has helped defeat Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and helped protect women’s rights. From day one, the Biden-Harris administration has fought tooth and nail to lower costs and make affordable health care a reality for seniors and families across the nation. Read more here: Kamala Harris Is a Health Care Champion. 

On the other hand, Donald Trump is an existential threat to American health care. MAGA Republicans have vowed to repeal the ACA and Inflation Reduction Act, slash Medicaid and Medicare funding, take away protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and raise prescription drug and premium costs. Under the MAGA agenda, millions of Americans will lose coverage and costs will skyrocket. Read more here: Donald Trump Is an Existential Threat to Our Health Care

The contrast could not be more clear:

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In News

That’s A Wrap: Protect Our Care’s “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour Traveled 12,000 Miles Across 17 States and Made Over 50 Stops

Over 70 Elected and Appointed Officials and Dozens of Health Advocates Drove Home the Contrast Between the Democratic and MAGA Visions for America’s Health Care

Over the last six weeks, Protect Our Care’s Care Force One bus drove almost 12,000 miles to make over 50 stops across 17 states to make sure Americans across the country understand that our health care is at stake. During each stop, national and local elected officials, health care advocates, and storytellers sounded the alarm about the threat Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans pose to American health care and celebrated the historic steps the Biden-Harris administration has taken to provide working families the quality, affordable care they need to stay healthy. 

Protect Our Care was joined by four senators, 22 representatives, one governor, five attorneys general, lieutenant governors and auditor generals, 39 local officials, and dozens of health care advocates. Headliners of the events included Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Matt Cartwright (D-PA-08), Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Susan Wild (D-PA-07), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), Yadira Caraveo (D-CO-08), Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. 

Watch Video Highlights Here

DULUTH, MINNESOTA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Attorney General Keith Ellison, and health care advocates at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth to to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here and a video with Attorney General Keith Ellison here.

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and health care advocates at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • KMSP-TV (Fox-Minneapolis): Protect Our Care Kicks Off Nationwide Bus Tour Highlighting Inflation Reduction Act
  • KMSP (FOX-Minneapolis): Protect Our Care Bus Tour Kicks off with Advocates Fighting for Families To Pay Affordable Prices For Health Care

Watch the event here and personal videos with health care advocates Kathleen Oganovich here and Jessica Intermill here.

MADISON, WISCONSIN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Attorney General Josh Kaul, and health care advocates at Madison Labor Temple in Madison to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • WISC (CBS): AG Kaul Headlines Healthcare Tour Stop
  • Spectrum News 1: Protect Our Care Bus Tour Coming to Wisconsin Today
  • WKOW (ABC-Madison): AG Kaul Advocates at POC Bus Tour
  • WQOW (ABC-La Crosse): AG Kaul, Health Care Advocates speak at POC Bus Tour Kickoff
  • Wisconsin Examiner: Advocacy groups put health care on the election year agenda
  • APG Media: Advocacy groups put health care on the election year agenda

Watch the event here, a video with Attorney General Josh Kaul here, and a personal video with health care advocate Samantha Crowley here.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and health care advocates at Sherman Phoenix in Milwaukee to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • Spectrum News 1 (Wisconsin): Protect Our Care Brings Care Force One to Wisconsin As Part Of Nationwide Bus Tour
  • WisPolitics: “Protect Our Care: “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour makes stops in Madison and Milwaukee”

Watch the event here.

LANSING, MICHIGAN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by State Representative Penelope Tsernoglou, and health care advocates at the Michigan Dept of Energy in Lansing to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • MIRS: Rep. Tsernoglou, Former Michigan Community Health Director Headline “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour Stop in Lansing

Watch the event here.

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by health care advocates at Garfield Park in Grand Rapids to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here.

TOLEDO, OHIO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by City Council President Carrie Hartman, Lucas County Commissioners Pete Gerken and Lisa Sobecki, and health care advocates at the Lucas County Courthouse in Toledo to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • The Blade: Local elected officials champion Affordable Care Act, Harris ahead of election

Watch the event here.

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, and health care advocates at Covelli Centre in Youngstown to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • Mahoning Matters: Youngstown Mayor participating in ‘Lower Costs, Better Care’ bus tour stop this week
  • WFMJ: Care Force One rolled through Youngstown

Watch the event here.

GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and health care advocates in Greensburg, Pennsylvania to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • TribLive: Pa. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis stumps in Greensburg, touts Dems’ health care measures

Watch the event here and a video with Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis here.

ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-07), and health care advocates at the IBEW Local 375 in Allentown to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here and a video with Representative Susan Wild here.

HUDSON VALLEY, NEW YORK

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Representative Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), and health care advocates at Academy Green Park in Kingston to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Assembly Member Michaelle Solages, and health care advocates at Kennedy Park in Hempstead to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Representative Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), and health care advocates at Victory Park in Manchester to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by State Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, and health care advocates at the Love Mural in Prescott Park in Portsmouth to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here.

RENSSELAER COUNTY, NEW YORK

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, and health care advocates at Beman Park in Troy to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here and a video with Representative Paul Tonko here.

UTICA, NEW YORK

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), and health care advocates at Character Coffee in Utica to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • WKTV (NBC): Sen. John Mannion joins Lower Costs, Better Care Bus Tour
  • WKTV (NBC): Protect Our Care Bus Tour

Watch the event here.

WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA-08), Mayor Harry Kelly, and health care advocates at the public square in Wilkes-Barre to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here.

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Representative Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), and health care advocates at Diversity Thrift in Richmond to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • Virginia Mercury: National bus tour stops in Va., boosts Democrats’ promise to protect ACA, Inflation Reduction Act

Watch the event here and a personal video with health care advocate Rev. Dr. Lacette Cross here.

HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Mayor Deanna Reed, and health care advocates at Ralph Sampson Park in Harrisonburg to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • WSVA: Preview of Harrisonburg Bus Tour Stop
  • Rocktown Now:  ‘Protect Our Care’ tour stops in Harrisonburg
  • Q101: ‘Protect Our Care’ tour stops in Harrisonburg
  • Daily News-Record: Officials call on voters to protect healthcare

Watch the event here.

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by State Sen. Natalie Murdock, and health care advocates at Durham Central Park in Durham to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Representative Alma Adams (D-NC-12), and health care advocates at Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center in Charlotte to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here.

COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Representative Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), and health care advocates at The Bibb Mill Event Center in Columbus to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • WRBL: Georgia democratic reps advocate for low-cost, better quality healthcare
  • Aol.com: Georgia democratic reps advocate for low-cost, quality healthcare
  • Yahoo.com: Georgia democratic reps advocate for low-cost, quality healthcare

Watch the event here and a video with Representative Sanford Bishop here.

ATHENS, GEORGIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by State Representative Spencer Frye, and health care advocates at Rashe’s Cuisine in Athens to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • Athens Flagpole: Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff Will Campaign in Athens With Michael Stipe

Watch the event here.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by State Senator Sonya Halpern and State Representative Jasmine Clark, and health care advocates at IBEW Local 613 in Atlanta to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Representative Bobby Scott (D-GA-03), and health care advocates at Teamsters Union Hall in Norfolk to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here.

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-1), and health care advocates at the Civic Plaza in Albuquerque, NM to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here and a video with Representative Melanie Stansbury here.

LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02), and health care advocates at Plaza de Las Cruces in Las Cruces, NM to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • KVIA ABC El Paso: The “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour Campaigns to Keep the Affordable Care Act in Place
  • KRWG: Local leaders push to defend federal healthcare policies

Watch the event here and a video with Representative Gabe Vasquez here.

TUCSON, ARIZONA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Former State Sen. Kirsten Engel, and health care advocates at the YWCA in Tucson, AZ to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here.

TEMPE, ARIZONA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), and health care advocates at City Hall in Tempe, AZ to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), and health care advocates at the Arizona State Capitol Building in Phoenix, AZ to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here.

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Palm Springs Councilmember Lisa Middleton and health care advocates at Ruth Hardy Park in Palm Springs, CA to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • My News LA: Palm Springs Councilmembers Set to Attend Nonprofit Healthcare Summit

Watch the event here.

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA-49), and health care advocates at Crown Valley Park Amphitheatre in Laguna Niguel, CA to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Representatives Judy Chu and Jimmy Gomez, Attorney General Rob Bonta and health care advocates at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument in Los Angeles to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by State Senator Anna Caballero, and health care advocates at Rasmussen Senior Center in Bakersfield to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here.

RENO, NEVADA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Assemblywoman Natha Anderson, and health care advocates at Community Health Alliance in Reno to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Representative Dina Titus, and health care advocates at SEIU Local 1107 in Las Vegas to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here and a video with Representative Dina Titus here.

PUEBLO, COLORADO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by The Honorable Lily Griego, and health care advocates at Pueblo Union Depot in Pueblo to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here.

DENVER, COLORADO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Senator John Hickenlooper and Representatives Yadira Caraveo and Brittany Pettersen, and health care advocates at PipeFitters 208 in Denver to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • Colorado Times Recorder: The ‘Lower Cost, Better Care’ Tour Visits Denver As Democrats Push Health Care & Abortion Rights

Watch the event here.

BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congresswoman Angie Craig, state legislators, and health care advocates at the Dakota Child & Family Clinic in Burnsville, MN to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • Red Lake Nation News: Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congresswoman Angie Craig Headline “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour Stop in Burnsville, Minnesota

Watch the event here and a personal video with health care advocate Alexis Stanley here.

ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by State Senator Liz Boldon, and health care advocates in Rochester, MN to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

BELOIT, WISCONSIN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Governor Tony Evers, and health care advocates at Armstrong Park in Beloit, WI to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • Beloit Daily News: Baldwin, Evers stop in Beloit to tout health care advances
  • MyStateline.com: Wisconsin: Baldwin, Hovde opposed on abortion rights, Affordable Health Care Act
  • WMTV: One week from Election Day, Wisconsin Senate candidates on campaign trail
  • WQRF (FOX): Senator Baldwin stops in Beloit to Discuss Affordable Healthcare, Abortion Rights

Watch the event here and a video with Senator Tammy Baldwin here.

KENOSHA, WISCONSIN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Governor Tony Evers, Former Congressman and Wisconsin Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, and health care advocates at Kenosha Union Club in Kenosha, WI to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • WisPolitics: Protect Our Care: Evers headlines “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour stop in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Watch the event here.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Representative Haley Stevens, and health care advocates at Congregational Church of Birmingham in Bloomfield Hills, MI to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here and a video with Representative Haley Stevens here.

CINCINNATI, OHIO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Representative Greg Landsman, and health care advocates at Washington Park in Cincinnati, OH to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here and a video with Representative Greg Landsman here.

CLEVELAND, OHIO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by City Council President Blaine Griffin, and health care advocates at Willard Park in Cleveland, OH to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, State Representative Arvind Venkat, MD, and health care advocates at City/County Building Portico in Pittsburgh, PA to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Watch the event here and a video with Former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale here.

TOLEDO, OHIO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur, and health care advocates at University of Toledo Medical Center in Toledo, OH to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Coverage:

  • WTVG: Congresswoman Kaptur to join Protect Our Care’s “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour
  • WTVG: Congresswoman Kaptur joins Protect Our Care’s “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour
  • WTOL: Congresswoman Kaptur focused on health care today and focused on the Affordable Care Act
  • WTVG: Congresswoman Kaptur stops to talk about lowering health care costs
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In Roundup, News

Week Six: Protect Our Care’s Care Force One Made Stops in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), And Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers Headlined “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour Events

On the sixth and final week of Protect Our Care’s nearly 12,000-mile “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, “Care Force One” made stops in five states to make sure everyone understands how they continue to benefit from legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act and the Affordable Care Act – while also making it clear the stakes for American health care have never been higher. During each stop, national and local elected officials, health care advocates, and storytellers sounded the alarm about the threat Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans pose to American health care. MAGA Republicans want us to go back to the days when insurance companies made the rules and could deny people coverage. As Republicans fight to raise costs on working families, deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, and repeal the Inflation Reduction Act and Affordable Care Act, the Biden-Harris administration continues to improve access to quality and affordable health care.Over six weeks, Care Force One traveled to more than 17 states, made more than 50 stops, and traveled nearly 12,000 miles.

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Here

BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congresswoman Angie Craig, state legislators, and health care advocates at the Dakota Child & Family Clinic in Burnsville, MN to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans.

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by State Senator Liz Boldon, and health care advocates in Rochester, MN to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans.

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

BELOIT, WISCONSIN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Governor Tony Evers, and health care advocates at Armstrong Park in Beloit, WI to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans.

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

KENOSHA, WISCONSIN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Governor Tony Evers, Former Congressman and Wisconsin Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, and health care advocates at Kenosha Union Club in Kenosha, WI to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans.

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Representative Haley Stevens, and health care advocates at Congregational Church of Birmingham in Bloomfield Hills, MI to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans.

Coverage:

Watch the event here.

CINCINNATI, OHIO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Representative Greg Landsman, and health care advocates at Washington Park in Cincinnati, OH to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans.

Watch the event here.

CLEVELAND, OHIO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by City Council President Blaine Griffin, and health care advocates at Willard Park in Cleveland, OH to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans.

Watch the event here.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, State Representative Arvind Venkat, MD, and health care advocates at City/County Building Portico in Pittsburgh, PA to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans.

Watch the event here.

TOLEDO, OHIO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur, and health care advocates at University of Toledo Medical Center in Toledo, OH to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have delivered on their promise to drive down health care costs and how health care remains under threat by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans.

Coverage:

ashoup
In News, Press Call

U.S. Representative Kaptur and Former Auditor General DePasquale Join Final Protect Our Care Bus Tour Events in Ohio and Pennsylvania as Republicans Continue Efforts to Slash Health Care

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
Contact: Michael Berman, (215) 316-2850, [email protected]; Daniel van Hoogstraten, [email protected]

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2024***

U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09) and Former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale Headline Events in Ohio and Pennsylvania as Care Force One Wraps Up Its Travels Across 17+ States, Makes Over 50 Stops, and Covers Nearly 12,000 Miles

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Live Here.

On the final day of Protect Our Care’s “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09) and Former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale will join health care advocates and Protect Our Care for events in Pittsburgh and Toledo to make sure everyone understand how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress worked to lower health care costs for Americans. By passing the Inflation Reduction Act, they lowered costs for people who purchase insurance on their own, capped the monthly cost of insulin, and gave Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. While we celebrate this progress, Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are fighting to go backwards, raise costs, take away protections for pre-existing conditions, and leave millions of people without critical coverage. MAGA Republicans want us to go back to the days when insurance companies made the rules and could deny people coverage.

During each stop, national and local elected officials, health care advocates, and storytellers are sounding the alarm about the threat Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans pose to American health care and celebrating the historic steps the Biden-Harris administration has taken to provide working families the quality, affordable care they need to stay healthy. Over six weeks, Care Force One traveled to more than 17 states, made more than 50 stops, and traveled nearly 12,000 miles.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA:

WHO:
Former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale
State Representative Arvind Venkat, MD
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: City/County Building Portico

WHEN: Friday, November 1, 2024 at 11:00 AM ET

TOLEDO, OHIO

WHO:
U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09)
Health care advocates

WHERE: Outside of the University of Toledo Medical Center at the corner of Arlington Ave. and Hospital Dr., Toledo, OH

WHEN: Friday, November 1 at 1:00 PM ET

ashoup
In News, Statement

STATEMENT: ACA Open Enrollment Kicks Off As Republicans Double Down On Tearing It All Away

A Record Breaking Number of Americans Signed up for Health Coverage Through the Marketplace Last Autumn, With 4 in 5 Accessing Care For $10 Or Less

Washington, D.C. — Beginning today, millions of Americans will visit HealthCare.gov to sign up for low-cost health coverage for the start of the 2025 open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. Last year’s open enrollment period saw more than a 31 percent increase in signups, resulting in a record-breaking 21.4 million people gaining health care thanks to the ACA. This spike in coverage is largely thanks to new savings under the Biden-Harris administration as well as their investment in outreach and education to help people enroll, with a particular focus on communities that are so often left behind: people in rural areas, racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ people.

The Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress have made incredible progress to ensure millions more Americans have the health care they deserve, but Republicans want to roll back this progress and hike costs for people nationwide. Just this week, House Speaker Mike Johnson openly confirmed that the health care agenda if Donald Trump is elected includes “no Obamacare.” Donald Trump’s Republican Party wants to “take a blowtorch” to the Affordable Care Act, destroying protections for more than 100 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, ripping coverage away from more than 45 million Americans, and raising costs across the board for everyday Americans.

While in office, Trump attempted to repeal the ACA and was just one vote short in 2017. Under his administration, Trump did everything in his power to sabotage the ACA, resulting in millions of Americans losing their health insurance coverage, drug prices skyrocketed, and Republicans gave billions in tax breaks to drug and insurance companies and their CEOs.

In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:

“If Donald Trump and his allies get their way, this year could be the end of health care as we know it. With the uncertainty of the election looming, we do know one thing; Trump will stop at nothing to destroy the Affordable Care Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and other critical protections that tens of millions of American people rely on. Trump’s first goal as president was to repeal the ACA. When he failed, he spent his entire presidency sabotaging it until the bitter end, now he’s getting ready to do it all over again. 

“Last year’s record numbers show that Americans want and need the affordable, quality health care made possible through the ACA. Under Democratic leadership, the nation’s uninsured rate is at the lowest it has ever been in history. Let’s continue that trend until every American has access to the high-quality, low-cost health care they need to thrive.”

ashoup
In News, Press Call

As Open Enrollment Begins, Protect Our Care Holds Events In New Hampshire, New York, and Georgia to Highlight New Benefits and What’s At Stake for Medicare in November

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31***

Open Enrollment for 2025 Medicare Plans Runs from October 15 through December 7, Bringing New Savings for Seniors

Department of Health and Human Services Regional Directors Everett Handford and Antrell Tyson, and former HHS Regional Director Dara Kass will join Protect Our Care at events across New Hampshire, New York, and Georgia to kick off this year’s Medicare open enrollment period and highlight new program benefits available to seniors. While seniors enjoy new savings and expanded benefits, MAGA Republicans continue their efforts to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, rolling back critical health provisions and raising costs for seniors. Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans want to cut Medicare and make it harder for New Hampshire seniors to access lifesaving care. 

Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act passed by the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress, seniors are already seeing savings thanks to the $35 monthly insulin cost cap, and are receiving free essential vaccines. As enrollment for 2025 Medicare plans begins, New Hampshire will benefit from even more savings to come through a $2,000 dollar annual out-of-pocket cap which starts on January 1. For the first time in history, Medicare is negotiating prescription drug prices. The recently announced prices for the first round of drugs will save seniors thousands of dollars and will save taxpayers billions. In the first year alone, these newly lowered prices will save seniors $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs and will save taxpayers $6 billion. 

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE

WHO:
Everett Handford, HHS Region 1 Director
Jayme Simoes, Covering New Hampshire
Peter Ames, health care advocate
Toby McGrath, Protect Our Care New Hampshire

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHEN: Thursday October 31, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET

WHERE: Zoom Registration Link (Registration required)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

WHO:
Dara Kass, former Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Joe Tambini, physical therapy assistant and 1199SEIU member
Bill Spreter, NYS Alliance for Retired Americans
Dawn Laguerre, health care advocate

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHEN: Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET

WHERE: Register for the Zoom event here (Registration required)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

WHO:
Health and Human Services Regional Director Antrell Tyson
State Representative Lisa Campbell
Reverend Leela Waller, new Medicare beneficiary from metro Atlanta

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHEN: Thursday, October 31 at 11:00 AM ET

WHERE: Register for the Zoom here (Registration required)

ashoup
In News, Press Call

U.S. Representatives Landsman and Brown Join Protect Our Care Bus Tour Events in Ohio as Republicans Continue Efforts to Slash Health Care

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
Contact: Joanne Pickrell ([email protected]); Daniel van Hoogstraten ([email protected])

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2024***

U.S. Representatives Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) and Shontel Brown (D-OH-11) Headline Event in Ohio as Care Force One Travels Across 17+ States, Makes Over 50 Stops, and Covers Nearly 12,000 Miles

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Live Here.

Ohio — On day forty-four of Protect Our Care’s “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI-11) will join health care advocates and Protect Our Care for events in Cincinnati and Cleveland to make sure Ohioans understand how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress worked to lower health care costs for Americans. By passing the Inflation Reduction Act, they lowered costs for people who purchase insurance on their own, capped the monthly cost of insulin, and gave Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. While we celebrate this progress, Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are fighting to go backwards, raise costs, take away protections for pre-existing conditions, and leave millions of people without critical coverage. MAGA Republicans want us to go back to the days when insurance companies made the rules and could deny people coverage.

During each stop, national and local elected officials, health care advocates, and storytellers are sounding the alarm about the threat Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans pose to American health care and celebrating the historic steps the Biden-Harris administration has taken to provide working families the quality, affordable care they need to stay healthy. This week, the tour continues in Pennsylvania. Over six weeks, Care Force One traveled to more than 17 states, made more than 50 stops, and traveled nearly 12,000 miles.

CINCINNATI, OHIO:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Greg Landsman (D-OH-01)
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate 

WHERE: Washington Park: 1230 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

WHEN: Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 9:30 AM ET

CLEVELAND, OHIO: 

WHO:
U.S. Representative Shontel Brown (D-OH-11)
City Council President Blaine Griffin
County Council Member Meredith Turner
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate 

WHERE: Willard / Free Stamp Plaza: Lakeside Avenue East &, E 9th St, Cleveland, OH

WHEN: Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 2:30 PM ET

ashoup
In Roundup, News

ROUNDUP: ‘Mike Johnson Vows to Kill Obamacare’: MAGA Republicans Finally Admit They Want to Repeal The ACA

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: a second Trump presidency would rip away coverage from millions and dramatically raise the cost of health care. Yesterday, House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed the MAGA agenda for health care includes “no Obamacare.” This should come as no surprise – Trump’s plan all along was to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which would be devastating for millions of Americans. After months of lies from the campaign about Trump’s health care record, MAGA Republicans are finally admitting they want to repeal the ACA and rip away health care from millions of Americans, destroy protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and raise costs for working families. The threat that the ACA faces is the same, if not greater, than in 2016, and this election will make all the difference for the health and well-being of the American people.

Additional Resources

  • MEMO: Don’t Be Fooled By Trump’s Lies On The Debate Stage – He Is An Existential Threat to Our Health Care
  • STATEMENT: Trump Lies About His Goal to Repeal the ACA and Throw the Health Care System Into Chaos
  • FACT SHEET: 14 Years Later, The Affordable Care Act Is Woven Into the Fabric of America
  • FACT SHEET: Donald Trump Escalates Threats to Repeal the ACA and Rip Health Care Away From Millions
  • REPORT: The MAGA Republican War on American Health Care

Coverage

Sahil Kapur, MSNBC, ‘Morning Joe’: “What’s at stake? This law has extended coverage to more than 45 million people in the U.S.”

Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Kimmel Live: “If someone who works for you, let’s say it’s your barber, promises to present you with a plan for trimming your hair. Over and over again for nine years and never does. You’d probably fire that person… because your hair would be down to your ass.”

NBC News: House Speaker Mike Johnson Criticizes Obamacare And Promises ‘Massive Reform’ If Trump Wins.

  • “House Speaker Mike Johnson took a dig at Obamacare at an event in Pennsylvania on Monday, telling a crowd there would be ‘massive’ health care changes in America if Donald Trump wins the election. ‘Health care reform’s going to be a big part of the agenda. When I say we’re going to have a very aggressive first 100 days agenda, we got a lot of things still on the table,’ Johnson, R-La., said in Bethlehem as he campaigned for GOP House candidate Ryan Mackenzie, according to video obtained by NBC News.”
  • “‘No Obamacare?’ an attendee asked Johnson, referring to the law Democrats passed in 2010, also known as the Affordable Care Act. ‘No Obamacare,’ Johnson responded, rolling his eyes. ‘The ACA is so deeply ingrained, we need massive reform to make this work, and we got a lot of ideas on how to do that.’ Johnson held a back-and-forth about health care with the audience at Monday’s campaign event in Pennsylvania, saying that physician members in the House Republican caucus had ‘a menu of options’ for how to revise the system and ‘take government bureaucrats out of the health care equation.’ He didn’t detail what changes he would seek, but he made it clear that deregulation would be part of it.”

The Washington Post: Mike Johnson Vows Major Changes To Affordable Care Act If Trump Wins Election.

  • “House Speaker Mike Johnson pledged ‘massive reform’ of the Affordable Care Act if Donald Trump is elected president, reopening a politically sensitive policy issue for Republicans a week before Election Day.
  • “The Affordable Care Act, which Democrats enacted in 2010, has become one of the party’s more popular achievements after initially being perceived as a political liability. Sixty-two percent of adults had favorable views of the law in April, up from 38 percent a decade earlier, according to polling by KFF, a nonprofit health policy research, polling and news organization. The law also has transformed the nation’s health-care landscape. The White House last month touted data showing that nearly 50 million Americans have obtained health coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges since they were established more than a decade ago, helping to lower the national uninsured rate to record lows in recent years.”
  • “Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, has promised to expand enrollment through the law if elected president. Republicans, meanwhile, mounted dozens of efforts in Congress to overturn the law, and Trump won the presidency in 2016 by pledging to ‘repeal Obamacare.’ But several Trump-led repeal efforts fell short — with the Senate in July 2017 coming one vote away from overturning the Affordable Care Act — and the law’s near-death catalyzed new support for it.”
  • “Johnson ‘finally told the truth about Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican allies’ agenda for health care in their first 100 days. They want to repeal the ACA,’ Leslie Dach, the chairman of Protect Our Care, a Democratic-aligned health-care advocacy group, wrote in a statement.”

New York Magazine: Helping Kamala Harris, Mike Johnson Vows to Kill Obamacare.

  • “Worse yet, Johnson’s remarks very strongly suggest two things that are potentially dangerous to Trump in the eyes of swing voters: (1) He plans to make repealing Obamacare an immediate priority if Trump wins and Republicans control Congress, which likely means it would be rolled into a gigantic budget-reconciliation bill and steamrolled through to passage if possible, and (2) his party’s designs on health-care policy are radical, meant to replace the regulations central to Obamacare’s coverage guarantees with ‘free market’ provisions almost certain to return the health-care system to the days when insurers aggressively discriminated against anyone old, sick, or poor. Johnson’s rhetoric will also give Democrats an opportunity to remind voters that the last ‘repeal Obamacare’ package aimed to decimate Medicaid, the federal-state health-care program for poor people and a key part of the country’s social safety net. Beyond that, Johnson seemed to to be telling Pennsylvanians a reelected Trump wouldn’t care if his health-care plans made Americans unhappy…”
  • “Taking a ‘blowtorch’ to health-care regulations that ensure coverage for preexisting conditions and limit price discrimination probably isn’t what swing voters hope for in a Trump administration billing itself as offering a return to American greatness. And the Harris campaign is surely grateful that Trump’s loyal congressional ally is making it known. Could that be the ‘little secret’ Trump cryptically said he and Johnson would reveal after the election? If so, the Speaker spilled the beans at the wrong place and the wrong time.”

The New Republic: Mike Johnson Reveals One of GOP’s First Targets if They Win Congress.

  • “Only one week from Election Day, Republicans’ closing message is that they plan to take away people’s health care, specifically the Affordable Care Act, if the party retains control of the House.”
  • “‘The ACA is so deeply ingrained, we need massive reform to make this work and we got a lot of ideas on how to do that.’ ‘If you take government bureaucrats out of the health care equation and you have doctor-patient relationships, it’s better for everybody. More efficient, more effective,’ Johnson added. ‘That’s the free market. Trump’s going to be for the free market.’ Johnson later promised to take a ‘blowtorch to the regulatory state.’”
  • “Johnson’s promise to ax Obamacare isn’t an offhand remark. Earlier this month, Senator Tom Cotton also promised that if Donald Trump wins the election and the GOP takes control of the Senate, Republicans could ‘make health care more affordable, more tailored and more personalized than the one-size-fits-all option.’ During his four years as president, Trump tried and failed to repeal the ACA, even though the GOP controlled the House and the Senate for two years. During his presidential debate with Kamala Harris last month, Trump reiterated his desire to get rid of the health care law, but when pressed, said he only had ‘concepts of a plan.’ Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, has elaborated on the Trump administration’s current plan, which is to undo much of the ACA’s framework, including its prohibition on health insurance companies’ ability to charge more for preexisting conditions. Johnson’s and Cotton’s comments reveal that he has allies among the Republican leadership on Capitol Hill. The question is whether voters want to elect Trump and allow the GOP to reverse the health care reforms of the previous decade.”

The Guardian: Mike Johnson Promises ‘Massive’ Healthcare Changes If Trump Wins.

  • “Vice-President Kamala Harris may have received another last-minute helping hand from Republicans after the House speaker, Mike Johnson, said there would be ‘massive’ healthcare changes if Donald Trump wins next Tuesday, including abolishing Obamacare.”
  • “During the presidential TV debate in September, Trump said he had formed ‘the concepts of a plan’ for replacing Obamacare. The former president proposed a reform plan in the 2020 budget that said it supported ‘several initiatives to empower States and consumers to regain control over healthcare and increase affordability and consumer choice.’ The plan incorporated a repeal of the ACA’s premium subsidies and Medicaid expansion, replacing them with a block grant to states, and would have capped federal spending on Medicaid. The plan could have reduced federal healthcare spending by more than $1tn over a decade.”

Raw Story: Mike Johnson Promises ‘Massive’ Changes To Obamacare If Trump Wins: Report.

  • “House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) reportedly told a crowd this week that ‘massive’ changes will be coming to health care in the country if Donald Trump defeats Vice President Kamala Harris next week.”
  • “Johnson in 2017 supported former President Donald Trump’s repeal and replace plan, casting a decisive vote in passing the GOP’s attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would’ve stripped health coverage and protections for pre-existing conditions for millions of Americans. Johnson has also repeatedly attacked, declaring: ‘Obamacare failed.’ A record number of Americans enrolled this year in the ACA Marketplace, with 21.3 million. This was about double the number of enrollees in 2020. As of May, just under 50 million people had enrolled for health care coverage using the marketplace at some point since its inception in 2014.”

The New York Times: Mike Johnson’s Vow to Overhaul ACA Draws Attention to Unpopular Stance.

  • “Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that Republicans would embark on a ‘massive reform’ of the Affordable Care Act if former President Donald J. Trump is elected again, putting an unpopular policy position back in the spotlight just days before the election.”
  • “…should he win the presidency and Republicans take both houses of Congress, there would be major pressure from some corners of the party to make major changes to former President Barack Obama’s signature domestic policy achievement. Nearly 50 million Americans have been covered by health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces since they opened a decade ago, and Vice President Kamala Harris has promised to expand enrollment in the popular program if she is elected. She has repeatedly warned voters that Mr. Trump would try to repeal the law if he was elected. Mr. Trump and an all-Republican Congress already tried unsuccessfully to repeal the law, and the fierce backlash to those efforts helped Democrats win control of the House in 2018. In 2020, the Justice Department under Mr. Trump asked the Supreme Court to overturn the law. After threatening a renewed repeal push late last year, Mr. Trump has kept his position vague, a sign of what a political liability the issue has become for his campaign.”

Rolling Stone: Republicans Once Again Have Their Sights Set on the Affordable Care Act.

  • “With less than a week to go before the election, Donald Trump still hasn’t produced a concrete healthcare plan after teasing that he had ‘concepts’ of one last month. Instead, one of his most prominent allies is wading into radioactive territory for Republicans: vowing to eliminate the Affordable Care Act. On Monday, while speaking to attendees at a House campaign event in Pennsylvania, House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed that under his purview, Republicans would dismantle the healthcare regulatory state.”
  • “The Republican vendetta against former President Barack Obama’s signature legislation is nothing new. In the 14 years since it was passed, the GOP has repeatedly attempted to repeal or cripple the legislation — with generally poor outcomes. While the moniker ‘Obamacare’ once drew virtually universal disdain from Republican voters, the provisions passed under Obama have since become broadly popular amongst the American public. More than 50 million Americans have obtained health care through the ACA, and in 2024 enrollments saw a notable surge in red states. Efforts to repeal the law are effectively an electoral hot potato, and likely contributed to the GOP’s loss of the House in 2018. With Trump and congressional Republicans battling razor-thin margins in their bid to retake control of Congress and the White House, one would expect them to tread carefully.”

Politico: A Trump Win Could Reshape ACA Coverage.

  • “Obamacare is stronger than ever ahead of this year’s open enrollment period, which kicks off Friday. But the presidential election could upend that.”
  • “Former President Donald Trump has said he has the ‘concepts of a plan’ to replace or improve the Affordable Care Act. His campaign said in a statement that he doesn’t want to ‘terminate’ the ACA, and he hopes to bring down costs by ‘increasing transparency, promoting choice and competition, and expanding access to new health care and prescription drug options.’ Trump’s term in office offers clues to how he might approach the popular health insurance program, which has seen record enrollment during President Joe Biden’s term. In 2017, Trump cut marketing funding for open enrollment, and his administration refused to defend the law in court. He expanded options for short-term plans and association health plans, a move conservatives praised and Democrats derided as ‘junk insurance.’”
ashoup
In News, Press Call

U.S. Representative Haley Stevens Joins Protect Our Care Bus Tour Events in Michigan as Republicans Continue Efforts to Slash Health Care

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
Contact: Dianne Byrum ([email protected]); Azlan Ibrahim ([email protected])

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2024***

U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI-11) Headline Event in Michigan as Care Force One Travels Across 17+ States, Makes Over 50 Stops, and Covers Nearly 12,000 Miles

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Live Here.

Michigan — On day forty-three of Protect Our Care’s “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI-11) will join health care advocates and Protect Our Care for an event in Bloomfield Hills to make sure Michiganders understand how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress worked to lower health care costs for Americans. By passing the Inflation Reduction Act, they lowered costs for people who purchase insurance on their own, capped the monthly cost of insulin, and gave Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. While we celebrate this progress, Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are fighting to go backwards, raise costs, take away protections for pre-existing conditions, and leave millions of people without critical coverage. MAGA Republicans want us to go back to the days when insurance companies made the rules and could deny people coverage.

During each stop, national and local elected officials, health care advocates, and storytellers are sounding the alarm about the threat Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans pose to American health care and celebrating the historic steps the Biden-Harris administration has taken to provide working families the quality, affordable care they need to stay healthy. This week, the tour continues in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Over six weeks, Care Force One will travel to more than 17 states, make more than 50 stops, and travel nearly 12,000 miles.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI-11)
Senior and storyteller, Eric Schneidewind
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate 

WHERE: Bloomfield Hills, MI

WHEN: Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 1 PM ET

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