Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar Undermines Health Care in Decision to Shift Funds Away from Health Care Services
Washington, D.C. – In its latest act of health care sabotage and in support of its cruel immigration policy, HHS Secretary Azar is shifting nearly half a billion dollars away from medical research, HIV/AIDS treatment and Affordable Care Act implementation toward detention of migrant children. Leslie Dach, chair of Protect Our Care, released the following statement in response:
“This is more than just health care sabotage, this is health care sabotage committed for the purpose of keeping children and families apart. It is shameful and outright wrong. Azar is only the latest Republican to play a dangerous game with the individuals who need health care the most.”
“Care Force One” Makes Stop in Portland on National Bus Tour
Portland, Maine – Today, Senator Angus King and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) joined state representatives and three Mainers with pre-existing conditions at Portland City Hall to speak out against the devastating repercussions of health care repeal.
Today, Senator Angus King and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) joined state representatives and three Mainers with pre-existing conditions at Portland City Hall to speak out against the devastating repercussions of health care repeal.
The event was part of Protect Our Care’s nationwide bus tour calling attention to Republicans’ attempts to sabotage health care, including a lawsuit signed onto by Governor Paul LePage that would gut protections for Mainers with pre-existing conditions.
The 548,000 Mainers living with a pre-existing condition would be in jeopardy if a judge sides with Paul LePage, President Trump, and the GOP in their lawsuit. What’s more, 70,000 Mainers have been denied access to affordable health coverage through Governor LePage’s refusal to expand Medicaid.
Senator Angus King kicked off the event, saying, “What worries me is that there’s this ongoing effort to undo the advances made by the Affordable Care Act. And make no mistake, the Affordable Care Act is not collapsing – it’s being mugged. We’ve been able to beat back these repeal efforts in the past, and we need to continue to do so.”
“The Republicans in Congress and this administration have been destroying the ACA. They couldn’t repeal it, so they’ve just been trying to destroy it,” Congresswoman Pingree echoed. “Almost half of the state of Maine has one pre-existing condition, and we want to make sure they have the care they need, so we are going to continue to fight very hard on this.”
They were joined by State Rep. Heather Sanborn, State Rep. Matt Moonen, and Mainers living with pre-existing conditions, who shared their stories and talked about the protections provided to them under the Affordable Care Act.
“The stakes have never been higher for Mainers’ health care,” said TJ Helmstetter of Protect Our Care. “Since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, almost 70,000 Mainers have gained health insurance. This is all in jeopardy due to Republicans’ repeal and sabotage agenda, including Governor LePage’s ludicrous lawsuit and Rep. Poliquin’s vote to repeal health care. Mainers want this Republican war on health care to end, plain and simple. That’s why we’re here today.”
You can watch the full video here. The bus travels to Bangor this afternoon, then onto New York. More details but upcoming stops can be found here.
FOX POLL: Dems hold 15 Point Advantage on Health Care, Health Care #1 Issue
New polls from the weekend give further evidence to the supercharged backlash against Republican for trying to repeal health care – gutting protections for pre-existing conditions and raising costs, especially for people over 50.
“Every poll shows that voters have uncovered the truth about the Republican health care repeal and they don’t like what they see,” said Brad Woodhouse, executive director of Protect Our Care. “Republicans can’t defend their indefensible plan to rip health care away from people with pre-existing conditions and raise costs, especially on seniors, while giving tax breaks to their insurance and drug company donors.”
Voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of health care by 14 points (39-53 percent). This margin grows to 24 points among independents (28-52 percent).
When making their decision of who to vote for, voters say health care is their #1 issue (59 percent extremely important and 27 percent very important).
By 15 points (49-34 percent), voters say Democrats are doing a better job on health care than Republicans. The lead grows to 16 points (51-35 percent) with likely voters and holds up at 12 points (48-36 percent) even with voters over 45 years old.
For the first time in their survey since the Affordable Care Act passed, less than 40 percent believe the law went too far (only 37 percent). In fact, 54 percent believe either didn’t go far enough (31 percent) or was about right (23 percent).
Seventy percent of voters in these battleground districts say health care will be a very important issue in their vote, just ahead of Supreme Court appointments (66 percent), immigration (63 percent), and gun policy (60 percent).
Health care ranks number one on the list of “very important” issues to voters. Eighty-seven percent of Democrats say it is very important, as do 64 percent of independents.
Voters Disapprove of Republican Attacks on Pre-Existing Conditions and Incumbents’’ Pro-Repeal Record, Say They Want Affordable Care Act Improved Rather than Repealed, and Trust Democrats More Than Republicans With Their Health Care
Washington, DC – New Public Policy Polling (PPP) surveys commissioned by Protect Our Care find that health care may be a decisive issue for voters in the Minnesota battlegrounds of MN-02 and MN-03. Said Leslie Dach, chair of Protect Our Care, in response to the poll findings:
“If I’m Erik Paulsen and Jason Lewis, I’m sweating today because mounting evidence shows that voters know about, care about and fundamentally oppose the health care repeal-and-sabotage record of these Republican incumbents and their relentless attacks on Minnesotans with pre-existing conditions.”
Health care is a very important issue to voters when deciding who to vote for. 62% say it is either the most important issue or a very important issue when deciding who to vote for.
Minnesotans are very concerned about the possible consequences of repealing the ACA. 62% of voters think charging people 50+ years old, five times more than younger people for health insurance is a major concern. Eliminating protections for people with pre-existing conditions is a major concern for 63% of voters.
In a preview of the November election, Democrat Angie Craig holds a lead over Republican Jason Lewis, 48-45.
Health care is a very important issue to voters when deciding who to vote for. 65% say it is either the most important issue or a very important issue when deciding who to vote for.
Minnesotans are very concerned about the possible consequences of repealing the ACA. Two-thirds (66%) of voters think charging people 50+ years old, five times more than younger people for health insurance is a major concern. Eliminating protections for people with pre-existing conditions is a major concern for 67% of voters.
In a preview of the November election, Democrat Dean Phillips holds a lead over Republican Erik Paulsen, 52-39.
The PPP-Protect Our Care Polls Mirror Data from Google Trends Showing that Searches for Health Care Dominate across the State — including in MN-02 and MN-03.
In MN-03 between 63 percent of all issue searches were on health care; the next highest issue being immigration at 17 percent.
In MN-02 health care was the top researched issue in every county.
Here’s how the PPP-Protect Our Care polls were covered locally:
A new poll conducted by Democratic-leaning firm Public Policy Polling and commissioned by health care advocacy group Protect Our Care also shows Phillips with a sizable advantage over Paulsen. Phillips has a 13-point lead over Paulsen in that poll, notching 52 percent of support over Paulsen’s 39 percent among the 538 respondents in the poll.
The poll, which focused on voter attitudes about health care in CD2 and CD3, also found that 56 percent of those polled had an unfavorable view of Trump, and of GOP efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act — both of which could influence the outcome in those key races.
Esme Murphy, WCCS: One of the things I thought was interesting in that [PPP] poll…is the numbers of people that said health care is their number one concern and also the number of people that actually support the Affordable Care Act.
Angie Craig, candidate for MN-02: Fifty-one percent of people in my district have a pre-existing condition, so if you’re not willing to stand up when you need to, then you need to stand down and let someone else take your place.
Care Force One Continues 11,505 Mile Bus Tour with Stops This Week in Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio
Washington, D.C. – This week, Protect Our Care will continue the first week of its nationwide bus tour, a 48-stop, 23-state bus tour highlighting the Republican war on health care and its impact on Americans from coast to coast. Following yesterday’s launch event in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Care Force One travels to Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
The tour will continue highlighting that the Republican war on health care is very much alive, with GOP officials using legislation, regulations, and the courts to continue their attacks on protections for the 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, for women and older Americans, and on Medicaid and Medicare. Thanks to the Republicans’ tax bill and junk plan regulations, a typical family of four could see their health insurance premiums increase by $3,110 next year.
The week continues this morning in Portland, Maine:
WHO:U.S. Sen. Angus King
U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree
State Rep. Heather Sanborn
State Rep. Matt Moonen
Laura Packard, cancer survivor
WHERE:Portland City Hall 389 Congress Street, Portland, ME
WHEN:Monday, September 24
10:00 AM ET
LIVESTREAM:The event will be streamed on the Protect Our Care Facebook page
Later in the week, Care Force One will travel to Pittsburgh:
WHO:Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro
Dr. Geoffrey L. Ruben, Ruben, Doctors for America
Lisa Frank, Service Employees International Union
Laura Packard, cancer survivor
Joe DiFazio, Pennsylvanian with health care story and concerns over GOP actions
Michelle Boyle, registered nurse
WHERE:Pittsburgh City-County Building
401 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA
WHEN:Thursday, September 27
10:00 AM ET
LIVESTREAM:The event will be streamed on the Protect Our Care Facebook page
And as the week comes to an end, Care Force One will visit Columbus:
WHO:American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, who recently filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s health care sabotage
Laura Packard, cancer survivor
John Ost, Ohioan with health care story and concerns over GOP actions
WHERE:Street address forthcoming.
WHEN:Friday, September 28
3:00 PM ET
LIVESTREAM:The event will be streamed on the Protect Our Care Facebook page
Check out https://protectourcarebustour.com/ for the latest information on the tour. The remaining schedule of Care Force One appearances is below:
Portland, ME on Monday, September 24, 2018
Bangor, ME on Monday, September 24, 2018
Kingston, NY on Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Binghamton, NY on Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Burlington County, NJ on Wednesday, September 26, 2018
More photos from today’s event in Bridgeport, CT can be found here.
BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT – This afternoon, Protect Our Care’s nationwide bus tour kicked off in Connecticut, where nearly 100 community members gathered to call attention to Republicans’ ongoing war on health care care. Headlined by Senator Chris Murphy, Senator Richard Blumenthal and Ned Lamont, the event highlighted the actions Republicans are taking to harm health care in Congress, in the courts, and in far too many states.
At this afternoon’s event, Bridgeport residents, health care advocates, elected officials, and members of Protect Our Care detailed the numbers ways in which Republicans have attacked health care, and how these actions have cut coverage and increased costs. For example, out of pocket costs for older people could have increased by as much as $14,606 by 2026 if the House-passed American Health Care Act had become law and 114,000 people in Connecticut who have obtained health insurance through the ACA marketplace could lose their coverage if a judge sides with President Trump and the GOP in their lawsuit, with protections for 1.5 million Nutmeggers living with a pre-existing condition in jeopardy.
“Affordable healthcare is not a luxury – it is a human right that everyone in America needs and deserves,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Unfortunately, the Trump Administration has been using every tool to sabotage the healthcare system and jeopardize affordable coverage for millions of Americans. We must fight back to not only protect and preserve our care – but to make it better.”
“Connecticut made the decision to try to make the Affordable Care Act work, not undermine it like many other states did,” said Senator Murphy. “Think about the 20 million Americans who have been given access to health care, whose lives have been changed. Just imagine what that number would be if every other state approached the Affordable Care Act the way Connecticut did.”
“I started up a business many years ago and health care was such a key part of what we had to do for all the families working at my company, to provide them security and optimism,” said business owner Ned Lamont. “As I travel the state, more than anything, I hear about health care and that people are afraid it’s not going to be there anymore when they need it.”
The headliners’ concerns were echoed by Nutmeggers with health care stories and concerns over ongoing Republican actions:
“If our government no longer protects coverage for pre-existing conditions, will [my son] have the ability to maintain his certain unalienable rights of life and the pursuit of happiness?” asked Leigh Pechillo, whose son, Robby, was both with hydronephrosis, a rare kidney disease. “We need to protect coverage for pre-existing conditions, we need to protect prohibitions on the discrimination against women and people over age 50, Medicaid, and Medicare so all Americans can have better lives.”
“Without the Affordable Care Act some of my patients would not be alive today,” said Dr. Ross Kristal, Chief Resident of Community Health and Advocacy at Yale. “I could not image practicing medicine without the ACA, and frankly I’m here today because I’m scared that day is coming. I’m worried that the lawsuit brought on by the Republicans will dismantle the ACA, and I’m worried that I won’t be able to provide the care that my patients deserve… We must all act now to protect our care.”
The sentiments of local leaders were echoed by Leslie Dach, chair of Protect Our Care, and cancer survivor Laura Packard, who made clear the purpose of the nationwide tour:
“Since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, the uninsured rate has been cut in half, and people are healthier and no longer an emergency away from bankruptcy,” said Dach. “The American people want the quality, affordable coverage provided under the law and they want the Republican war on health care to end. That’s why we’re here today.”
“I’m alive because of the Affordable Care Act,” said Packard. “I’m a stage four cancer survivor and I’m on this tour to defend our attacks against the GOP. President Trump may have blocked me on Twitter, but he can’t stop me and the American people from fighting to protect our care.”
Tomorrow, Care Force One will head to Maine, where Protect Our Care will be joined by Senator Angus King and Representative Chellie Pingree in Portland and State Representatives Steve Stanley and Anne Perry and former mayor Joe Baldacci in Bangor.
For more information, please visit protectourcarebustour.com.
While The Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress Push Junk Plans, States Join Health Care Advocates and Congressional Democrats in Fighting Back
Washington, D.C. –While the Trump Administration continues its efforts to attack people with pre-existing conditions and sabotage health care through the expansion of junk insurance plans — and Republicans in Congress refuse to join their Democratic colleagues in the Senate and House in stopping them — the state of California joins other states in protecting its residents from dangerous ‘junk’ plans through new legislation signed into law Saturday.
Going one step further in its rebuke of the Trump Administration’s disastrous health care policies, California also enacted new legislation protecting Californians against the Trump Administration’s scheme to reduce Medicaid coverage by imposing rigid work requirements. This is a win for health care, as these work requirements have proven to be impossible for many of those most in need of health care coverage to meet.
Brad Woodhouse, executive director of Protect Our Care issued the following statement in response to the growing fight against junk plans:
“While Trump and his Republican allies take a sledgehammer to health care, it becomes even more important that states like California and others step up and protect our care, which is exactly what the American people want our leaders to do. The reasons that officials are fighting Trump’s junk plans in the states, that health care advocates are fighting them in court, that Democratic health care champions in Congress are fighting them on the Hill are simple: these junk plans are allowed to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, they are not required to cover key benefits, such as cancer treatments and prescription drug coverage, and they deceive consumers by refusing to pay for costs after a person gets sick. Since these insurance plans truly are ‘junk’ — and have a long history of scamming people who need health care coverage the most — the real question is why Donald Trump thinks he can call himself a protector of people with pre-existing conditions at the same time that he and his allies in Washington are pushing junk plans onto the American people?”
Insurance Commissioners From Coast to Coast Have Spoken Out Against Short-Term Junk Plans:
Dave Jones, California Insurance Commissioner: “Of Course They’ll Be Less Expensive…That’s Because It’s Junk Insurance And It Won’t Cover The Same Things.” [HuffPost,8/5/18]
Jessica Altman, PA Insurance Commissioner: The Administration Isn’t Talking About How Limited These Plans Are. “I’m frustrated with how [administration officials] are presenting this…They’re saying, ‘Here’s this option that’s affordable and wonderful,’ and not talking about how limited the plans are…You can look at one of these plans and you’ll see it covers doctors, hospitals, maybe even drugs, and so you think it will have everything I need…You won’t realize that the amounts are caps, or have exclusions ― it’s really difficult to expect that consumers will be able to figure out what all of this means, and really know what they are getting.” [HuffPost,8/5/18]
PA Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman Has Already Revoked The Licenses Of Eight Brokers Or Agents Misrepresenting Short-term Plans. “In Pennsylvania, Altman said she has already revoked the licenses of eight brokers or agents who had been misrepresenting short-term plans.” [The Hill,8/12/18]
TN Insurance Commissioner, Julie Mix McPeak Is Concerned About Whether Consumers Fully Understand The Plans They Buy. “‘We have to really make sure consumers know what they’re purchasing, and they’re aware of what’s covered and what’s not covered,’ Mix McPeak said. ‘The last thing we need is for consumers to have surprise bills.'” [The Hill,8/12/18]
Lori Wing-Heier, Director Of Alaska Insurance Division: “I’m Concerned That People Will Buy These Policies, Show Up At The Hospital For A Condition They Did Not Expect, And Discover They Are Not Covered.” [HuffPost,8/5/18]
Lori Wing-Heier, Director Of Alaska Insurance Division: Under Short-Term Plans, Insurers May Use Information You Submit In Good Faith To Deny Coverage. “You fill out the form, the medical forms, you think you are being honest about your history, and then the insurers go through your records and find something that you didn’t think was an issue, your doctor didn’t think was an issue, but now the insurer is saying it’s a pre-existing condition.” [HuffPost,8/5/18]
Michael Conway, Colorado Interim Insurance Commissioner: People May Read Warnings, But Not Understand How Bare-bones These Plans Really Are. “They may read [the warning], but that’s not the same as understanding it…Because of the ACA, now people think the baseline has changed ― that certain things are always covered.” [HuffPost,8/5/18]
Troy Oechsner, Deputy Superintendent At New York Department Of Financial Services: “These Are Substandard Products.” “‘These are substandard products,’ sold on the premise that ‘junk insurance is better than nothing’ for people who cannot afford comprehensive coverage, Troy J. Oechsner, a deputy superintendent at the New York Department of Financial Services, told the insurers.” [New York Times,8/6/18]
New Trump Administration Rule Would Keep Legal Immigrant Families Away from Health Care and in the Shadows
Washington, DC – In its latest attack on health care, the Trump Administrationannounceda long-rumored proposal to change a decades-old immigration rule. The change would prevent legal immigrant families on the road to U.S. citizenship from being able to secure permanent lawful immigration status if they utilize a vast array of health care supports, such as Medicaid, nutrition assistance, or other services. The proposal, which is now subject to a comment period, would bedisastrous for legal immigrants and their families, particularly children — and to cities, states, and our nation’s future — if it is adopted. In response to the Trump Administration’s proposed changes to the “public charge” rule, Leslie Dach, chair of Protect Our Care, issued the following statement:
“As if ripping families apart at the border and putting children in cages wasn’t bad enough, the Trump administration is trying to use health care as a weapon against legal immigrants in America. This is yet another outrageous attack on health care in this country and the ability of immigrants to live their lives with dignity.”
Washington, DC – Following a campaign stop with Josh Hawley, President Trump continued to
flat-out lie about his Administration’s plan to gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Brad Woodhouse, executive director of Protect Our Care, said in response:
“It’s ludicrous for Donald Trump to say he and Josh Hawley want to protect people with pre-existing conditions when they have literally gone to court to take those protections away. Just last month, Hawley said replacing the ACA would be “a top priority” for him in the Senate and right now Donald Trump is in the process of jamming a rubber stamp on his anti-health care agenda on the U.S. Supreme Court. Republicans like Josh Hawley and Donald Trump present a real and present danger to the health care of Americans and people don’t need to look any further than their own words and actions for proof.”
Voters Disapprove of Republican Incumbents’ Pro-Repeal Record, Say They Want Affordable Care Act Improved Rather than Repealed, and Trust Democrats More Than Republicans With Their Health Care
“The issue of health care could be [the] key to ousting the incumbent in this race,” says Florida Politics blog
Washington, DC – New Public Policy Polling surveys commissioned by Protect Our Care finds that health care may be a decisive issue for voters in the Florida battlegrounds of CD 18, CD 25 and CD 26. Said Brad Woodhouse, executive director of Protect Our Care, in response to the poll findings:
“Pro-repeal incumbents Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart and Carlos Curbelo have a lot to be worried about. As these polls show, voters are angry at their efforts to repeal and sabotage American health care and they are getting ready to take that anger out at the polls.”
Here’s how the polls were covered locally today:
Florida Politics: Lauren Baer Polling Within Three Points Of Brian Mast (FL-18). “When asked who they trust more to handle the issue of health care, 49 percent back Democrats and 46 percent say they favor Republicans and President Donald Trump. Only 4 percent are undecided. But when it came to their district, voters favored Democrats by a wider margin. A total of 49 percent of respondents say they would rather vote for a congressional candidate who is ‘a Democrat who supports the Affordable Care Act and wants to improve it.’ That compares to 44 percent who say they’d prefer ‘a Republican who wants to repeal’ the ACA.”
Florida Politics: Mary Barzee Flores Closing In On Mario Diaz-Balart, Poll Shows (FL-25). “49 percent say they trust Democrats more on the issue of health care. But 46 percent trust Republicans and President Donald Trump more. Only 4 percent were undecided. When asked about their votes going forward, 51 percent prefer ‘a Democrat who supports the Affordable Care Act and wants to improve it.’ That compares to 43 percent who’d rather vote for ‘a Republican who wants to repeal’ the ACA. Those numbers could bode well for the Democrats, who have signaled their desire to keep health care at the forefront of the 2018 midterms after Republicans’ failed attempt to repeal the ACA last year.”
Florida Politics: Carlos Curbelo Trailing In Newest CD 26 Poll (FL-26). “A majority, 53 percent, say they support the ACA. Only 35 percent say they oppose it, while 12 percent are undecided. A whopping 57 percent say they trust Democrats more on the issue of health care, while 40 percent favor President Donald Trump and Republicans….A total of 57 percent say they’d prefer ‘a Democrat who supports the Affordable Care Act and wants to improve it.’ Just 38 percent want ‘a Republican who wants to repeal’ the ACA. The issue of health care could be Mucarsel-Powell’s key to ousting the incumbent in this race.”
