News

August 16 marks the one-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, and there is so much to celebrate. Between lowering premium costs for families by $2,400 on average, capping insulin costs, and stopping drug companies’ egregious price hikes, the new legislation is already working for the American people. Soon, seniors’ drug costs will be capped at $2,000 annually, and Medicare will finally be able to negotiate lower drug prices.

It is increasingly clear how deeply the public supports the Inflation Reduction Act — and especially its health care elements. Polling continues to show that the Inflation Reduction Act’s health care provisions are the most supported measures in the entire bill, driving the law’s overall popularity across parties. Over 80 percent of voters support the Inflation Reduction Act’s prescription drug negotiation program. At the same time, voters overwhelmingly reject the GOP war on health care, including Republicans’ plan to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act’s prescription drug pricing measures. 

The Inflation Reduction Act comes as Americans are still struggling to afford their medications. According to a July 2023 KFF poll, nearly 30 percent of adults have reported difficulty affording prescription drugs, with another three in ten adults reporting not taking their medicine as prescribed in the past year due to the cost. Lower-income adults are more likely than those with higher household incomes to report experiencing these cost-related prescription drug issues. Provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act decrease the cost of prescription drugs and put the power back in the hands of Americans.

NAVIGATOR

Voters Overwhelmingly Support The Inflation Reduction Act’s Measures To Reduce Prescription Drug And Health Care Costs. According to a new Navigator poll, health care provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act are 4 of the 5 most popular items in the landmark bill. An overwhelming 82 percent of voters support capping insulin costs for seniors to $35 per prescription a month, 81 percent support giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, 77 percent support capping drug costs at $2,000, and 76 percent support lowering health insurance premiums. Overall, Americans support the Inflation Reduction Act by 43 points (66-23). 

Many of the reforms that have the most public support are also the ones the public is most likely to associate with the Inflation Reduction Act, including Medicare negotiating lower drug prices (81%), capping insulin (79%), and limiting drug costs (73%).

The survey shows that Republicans overwhelmingly support the prescription drug provisions passed by President Biden and Congressional Democrats. Despite Republican lawmakers introducing legislation to repeal these policies, 71% of Republicans support Medicare drug price negotiation and 70% support capping out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors at $2,000 per year. 

When asked if the Inflation Reduction Act will help families like theirs, a majority of voters (52%) said yes it would.

This poll not only shows policies that lower health care costs are the most popular, but people also identify the Inflation Reduction Act as a health care bill.

PUBLIC POLICY POLLING

Majority of Republicans Oppose Repealing The Inflation Reduction Act’s Health Care Provisions. A new PPP poll on behalf of Protect Our Care shows that 52 percent of Americans believe Republicans are waging a war on health care. Regardless of party affiliation, people overwhelmingly support health care measures of the Inflation Reduction Act and do not want them repealed. Even Republican voters largely oppose repealing health care provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, including Medicare’s new power to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs (61%) and free access to vaccines like the shingles vaccine for seniors (57%). Other key findings:

• 74% oppose taking away free access to vaccines like the shingles vaccine for seniors, including 80% of Independents, 57% of Republicans, and 80% of seniors over the age of 65. Only 17% overall support it.
• 75% oppose taking away Medicare’s new power to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs, including 82% of Independents, 61% of Republicans, and 78% of seniors over the age of 65. Just 17% overall support it.
• 73% oppose taking away the $35 per month cap on the price of insulin for seniors. This includes 84% of Independents, 57% of Republicans, and 77% of seniors over the age of 65. Only 16% overall support it.
• 60% oppose eliminating the $2,000 annual out-of-pocket limit on how much seniors have to pay for prescription drugs, including 63% of Independents and 58% of seniors over the age of 65. Only 27% overall support it.

KFF

A Majority of Americans Don’t Trust Pharmaceutical Companies to Price Their Drugs Fairly. According to a July 2023 KFF poll, most adults, including majorities across partisans, cite profits made by pharmaceutical companies as a “major factor” contributing to the price of prescription drugs. Adults are least trusting when it comes to drug pricing, with one in five (22%) saying they trust drug companies “a lot” or “somewhat” to price their products fairly. Key findings:

• 78% of people don’t trust drug companies to “price their products fairly” (including 39% who trust “not too much” and 39% who trust “not at all”).
• People see drug company profits as the driver for high drug costs. 83% of people say “profits made by pharmaceutical companies” are a “major factor” contributing to the price of prescription drugs – far more than 54% say the cost of research and development, and 45% say the cost of marketing. This extends to Democrats (84%), Independents (78%), and Republicans (89%).
• 73% say on regulation there is “not as much as there should be” to limit the price of prescription drugs. Only 14% say there is “too much regulation.”
• Nearly 30 percent of adults have reported difficulty affording prescription drugs, with another three in ten adults reporting not taking their medicine as prescribed in the past year due to the cost.

Protect Our Care Joins Public Citizen and Leading Health Care Advocates to Protect Medicare’s Power to Negotiate Lower Drug Prices

With Medicare slated to begin negotiating lower prescription drug prices with big drug companies in the coming weeks, drug companies and their mega lobbying group allies are desperately suing the federal government in an effort to protect their profits by halting the popular program. In one lawsuit, a group of national, state, and regional Chambers of Commerce has moved for a preliminary injunction and asked the court for a decision on their case by October. In response, the U.S. Department of Justice and leading health care groups filed briefs to deny the preliminary injunction and protect the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. Read more about the cases here. 

These meritless lawsuits are about one thing: protecting drug companies’ outrageous profits. According to STAT, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent nearly $30 million in lobbying efforts in 2021. While they rake in billions, U.S. drug prices are up to four times higher than prices in other high-income countries, leading patients in America to cut pills and skip doses to make ends meet. 

Medicare drug price negotiation is projected to lower costs for seniors and save taxpayers by tens of billions of dollars, but big drug companies are eager to protect their outrageous prices and outsized profits. Drug companies that manufacture drugs likely to be eligible for negotiation have a history of exploiting the patent system to protect their monopolies and keep competitor drugs off the market, spend millions on lobbying, and increase their list prices at rates that far exceed inflation.

Here are excerpts from the DOJ and Health Care Advocate Briefs:

Protect Our Care, Public Citizen, and Others Filed an Amicus Brief In Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion for a Preliminary Injunction: A Preliminary Injunction Goes Against the Public Interest & Would Enjoin the Negotiation Process at the Expense of Seniors. “In short, high prices make access difficult for many, harming their finances, their health, and their ability to enjoy life. A preliminary injunction would extend these concrete, irreparable harms by severely disrupting the statutory timetable and process for achieving lower prices, and thus create a substantial risk that Congress’s 2026 deadline for implementation of the program will not be met. In marked contrast, because manufacturers of drugs selected for negotiation in the first year of the program do not have to make drugs available at the negotiated price until 2026, plaintiffs’ claim could be remedied after final judgment, if plaintiffs were to prevail, without risk of irreparable harm. The equities and the public interest thus strongly favor allowing the drug price negotiation program to move forward while plaintiffs’ lawsuit is pending.” [Protect Our Care, Public Citizen et al. Brief, 8/14/23]

Federal Government’s Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion: “Derailing the [Medicare Negotiation Program] Would Inflict Grave Harm to the Government, Medicare Beneficiaries, and the American Taxpayer.” Writing in opposition to plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction halting the drug negotiation program in Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce et al. v. Becerra et al., the federal government wrote: “Not surprisingly, drug manufacturers lobbied hard against legislative efforts to seat the Secretary at the negotiating table. And now that their lobbying failed, manufacturers and interest groups have run to court, filing multiple suits around the country challenging the statute on its face. […] Just as a defense contractor could not build an aircraft carrier and force an unwilling Pentagon to buy it (at any price), so too manufacturers cannot force their drugs onto the government at unilaterally dictated rates. […] At bottom, Plaintiffs’ objection to the Negotiation Program is little more than ‘a dispute with the policy choices’ made by Congress, masquerading as constitutional theory. […] After years of effort, Congress has finally enacted a law that builds on time-tested models to reduce costs and put Medicare on a path toward fiscal sustainability. Derailing that program before it starts would inflict grave harm to the government, Medicare beneficiaries, and the American taxpayer.” [Opposition to Motion for a Preliminary Injunction in Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce et al. v. Becerra et al., 8/11/23]

Federal Government’s Motion To Dismiss: The Chambers Of Commerce Want to Halt Medicare’s Ability to Negotiate a Better Deal For Patients and the American Taxpayer. “[T]he U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its affiliates are, by some metrics, the largest lobbying enterprise in the United States; they filed this lawsuit to achieve through the courts what they tried and failed to achieve through the legislative process. Plaintiffs seek a court order that would nullify key provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), in which Congress authorized Medicare to try and negotiate a better deal for patients and the American taxpayer on some of the pharmaceutical industry’s most lucrative drugs. […] Structuring their business to depend on government dollars does not vest manufacturers with a constitutional right to taxpayer funds. […] To the extent that AbbVie will ever suffer any financial injury, it would not be until 2026, when any new prices would take effect. And actual price negotiations are necessary for the Court to evaluate whether, for example, the (mostly unidentified) manufacturers that Plaintiffs purport to represent really will face “prices so low as to deprive [them] of their property without due process of law,” […] which requires knowing, most obviously, what those prices will be.” [Motion to Dismiss in Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce et al. v. Becerra et al., 8/11/23]

While President Biden and Congressional Democrats fought tirelessly to pass the historic health care investments included in the Inflation Reduction Act, every Republican in the House and Senate voted against lowering drug prices, reducing health care premiums, capping insulin costs, and improving care for seniors and people with disabilities. Republicans gave into big drug companies’ lobbying campaign, turning their backs on the American people despite the law’s vast support from voters of all parties.  

After spending over $100 million on lobbying to try to stop the passage of the bill, drug companies are pumping millions more into efforts to stop the implementation of the law and going to court to challenge its core provisions. Their main focus is undermining the Medicare drug negotiation program. If the drug industry succeeds in rolling back the Inflation Reduction Act, millions of seniors will pay more for life-saving medications and Medicare premiums will skyrocket. 

The repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act is at the very top of the Republican legislative agenda and they are just getting started. If the history of efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act is any indication, the Republican party will continue to attempt to block life-saving programs, preventing Americans from getting quality and affordable health care.

If the Inflation Reduction Act is repealed: 

• GONE: Lower health care premiums for people who buy their own coverage through the Marketplace.
• GONE: Medicare’s power to negotiate lower prices for the most popular and expensive prescription drugs.
• GONE: Medicare beneficiaries’ prescription drug savings, including a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap and protections from Big Pharma’s price gouges. 
• GONE: Free vaccines for seniors, including for shingles and pneumonia. 
• GONE: $35 monthly insulin caps for Medicare beneficiaries.
• GONE: Improving racial and ethnic health disparities will regress as insurance becomes less affordable.
• GONE: Lower premiums for those in rural areas, which could leave over 14 percent of the country paying higher premiums simply for not living near a major metropolitan area.
• GONE: Expanded eligibility for the Extra Help program, putting affordable prescription drug coverage further out of reach for millions of seniors.

Republicans Tried To Shut Down The Government After Inflation Reduction Act Passage. Directly after the passage of the law, Republicans led by Representative Scott Perry sought to shut down the government indefinitely unless Democrats rolled back the rules allowing for Medicare to negotiate drug prices and capping out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries. 

Republicans Have Introduced Legislation To Repeal The Inflation Reduction Act. Big Pharma’s GOP allies in Congress have repeatedly introduced legislation to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act’s prescription drug provisions, which would increase drug costs for millions of seniors. In 2023, Senator Mike Lee reintroduced legislation that would not only repeal Medicare’s new ability to negotiate lower drug prices but would also repeal the new penalties on drug companies that increase prices faster than inflation, and roll back the new $2,000 out-of-pocket spending cap on drug costs for those on Medicare. The Republican Study Committee also released a budget proposal that repeals the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare negotiation program entirely.

U.S. Representatives Judy Chu, Susie Lee, Greg Stanton, Former State Sen. Kirsten Engel, Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan Will Headline “Lower Costs, Better Care” Events in Four States

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Live Here.

Washington, D.C. — On the third week of Protect Our Care’s 8,000-mile “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, “Care Force One” will make stops in four states to demonstrate how recent victories by President Biden and Democrats in Congress are already “Driving Down Health Care Costs” by thousands of dollars a year — with even more savings on the way. During the events, speakers will discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act and other health care measures will improve care and lower costs for the American people. Over four weeks, Care Force One will travel to more than 16 states, make more than 30 stops, and travel nearly 8,000 miles.

The “Lower Costs, Better Care” tour promotes the work of lawmakers who are fighting tirelessly to improve health care and hold Republicans accountable for trying to roll back this progress, hike costs, and rip away protections from the American people. Drug companies and Republican lawmakers are doing everything in their power to roll back this progress in order to put profits over people. August 16 marks the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act and the savings it continues to deliver. 

MONDAY

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA:
WHO:
Representative Susie Lee (D-NV-03)
Demi Falcon, Deputy Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Dina Titus
Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow
Dr. Christina Madison, Founder and CEO of The Public Health Pharmacist
Jarrett Clark, health care advocate
Lisa Lynn Chapman, health care advocate
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: West Flamingo Senior Center: 6255 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103

WHEN: Monday, August 14, 2023, at 10:00 AM PDT // 1:00 PM EDT

TUESDAY

BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA:
WHO:
Jose Torres Casillas, Policy and Legislative Advocate, Health Access California
Gloria Herrera, President, The Delano Guardians
SEIU Representative
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: Rasmussen Senior Center, 115 E Roberts Ln, Bakersfield, CA 93308

WHEN: Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 10:00 AM PDT // 1:00 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA:
WHO:
Representative Judy Chu (D-CA-28)
Dr. Jerry Abraham, President, Los Angeles County Medical Association
Ingrid Rivera-Guzman, President, Latino Coalition of Los Angeles
SEIU Representative
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: Brookside Park, 360 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103   

WHEN: Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 3:00 PM PDT // 6:00 PM EDT

WEDNESDAY

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA:
WHO:
Mayor Farrah Khan, City of Irvine
SEIU Representative
Bob Tucker, storyteller
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: Lakeview Senior Center Parking Lot / Mike Ward Park, 20 Lake Rd, Irvine, CA 92604

WHEN: Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at 10:00 AM PDT // 1:00 PM EDT

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA:
WHO:
Mayor Pro Tem Karina Quintanilla, City of Palm Desert
SEIU Representative
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: Ruth Hardy Park, 700 Tamarisk Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262

WHEN: Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at 3:00 PM PDT // 6:00 PM EDT

THURSDAY

TEMPE, ARIZONA:
WHO:
Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04)
Jeffrey Reynoso, Region 9 Regional Director, Department of Health & Human Services
Saundra Cole, President, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans
Marcos Castillo, Storyteller
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate 

WHERE: TBA

WHEN: Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 10:00 AM MST // 1:00 PM EDT

TUCSON, ARIZONA:
WHO:
Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-07)
Former State Senator Kirsten Engel
Melanie Rainer, Director of the Office for Civil Rights, Department of Health & Human Services
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: Tucson YWCA: 525 S. Bonita Ave. Tucson, AZ

WHEN: Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 2:00 PM MST // 5:00 PM EDT

FRIDAY

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO:
WHO:
Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales
Mayor Tim Keller, City of Albuquerque
Kelley Allen, President, OPEIU Local 251
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: Civic Plaza, 3rd and Marquette, Albuquerque, NM 87102

WHEN: Friday, August 18, 2023, at TBA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One will make stops in: 

Manchester, New Hampshire on Monday, July 31, 2023
Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Monday, July 31, 2023
Syracuse, New York on Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Kingston, New York on Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Valhalla, New York on Wednesday, August 2, 2023
New York City, New York on Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Thursday, August 3, 2023
Uniontown, Pennsylvania on Friday, August 4, 2023
Youngstown, Ohio on Monday, August 7, 2023
Toledo, Ohio on Monday, August 7, 2023
Trenton, Michigan on Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday, August 8, 2023
La Crosse, Wisconsin on Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Green Bay, Wisconsin on Thursday, August 10, 2023
St. Paul, Minnesota on Friday, August 11, 2023
Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday, August 14, 2023
Bakersfield, California on Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Orange County, California on Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Palm Springs, California on Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Tempe, Arizona on Thursday, August 17, 2023
Tucson, Arizona on Thursday, August 17, 2023
Albuquerque, New Mexico on Friday, August 18, 2023
Atlanta, Georgia on Monday, August 21, 2023
Macon, Georgia on Monday, August 21, 2023
Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Greensboro, North Carolina on Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Raleigh, North Carolina on Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Norfolk, Virginia on Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Richmond, Virginia on Thursday, August 24, 2023
Wilmington, Delaware on Thursday, August 24, 2023
Allentown, Pennsylvania on Friday, August 25, 2023

For more information on Protect Our Care’s “Lower Cost, Better Care” tour, click here.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Tammy Baldwin, Gov. Tony Evers, Attorney General Keith Ellison, State Sens. Sarah Anthony, Darrin Camilleri, and Paula Hicks-Hudson, Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown Headlined “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour Events

On the second week of Protect Our Care’s 8,000-mile “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, “Care Force One” made stops in four states to demonstrate how recent victories by President Biden and Democrats in Congress are already “Driving Down Health Care Costs” by thousands of dollars a year — with even more savings on the way. During each stop, national and local elected officials, health care advocates and storytellers discussed how the Inflation Reduction Act and other health care measures will improve care and lower costs for the American people. August marks the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act. Next week, the tour continues in Nevada, California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Over four weeks, Care Force One will travel to more than 16 states, make more than 30 stops, and travel nearly 8,000 miles.

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Here

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, and health care advocates at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Youngstown to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

Coverage:

• WFMJ (NBC): Bus Tour on Lowering Health Care Costs 

Watch the event here.

TOLEDO, OHIO

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson, and health care advocates at UAW Local 12 in Toledo to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

Coverage:

• WTOL (CBS): Lower Costs, Better Care Bus Tour in Toledo
• Toledo Blade: Health care advocacy group fights in Toledo to lower costs

Watch the event here.

TRENTON, MICHIGAN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by State Senator Darrin Camilleri, and health care advocates at City Hall in Trenton to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

Watch the event here and watch a video with RN and patient advocate Carlie Wilson here. 

LANSING, MICHIGAN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by State Senator Sarah Anthony, and health care advocates at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

Coverage:

• WILX (NBC Lansing): ‘Care Force One’ visits Lansing to promote better healthcare
• MIRS: Anthony: Shame On Us If Reducing Healthcare Costs Isn’t A Priority
• Gongwer: Officials: Federal Health Care Changes Must Be Protected

Watch the event here.

LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Senator Tammy Baldwin, and health care advocates at Gundersen Pharmacy in La Crosse to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

Coverage:

• WKBT (CBS): Tammy Baldwin Visits Gundersen Pharmacy
• WXOW (ABC): Sen. Baldwin highlighting lower prescription drug costs at a stop in Onalaska
• La Crosse Tribune: Sen. Baldwin touts lower prescription drug costs in Onalaska 

Watch the event here and watch a video with health care advocate Amy Taebel here. 

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Governor Tony Evers, and health care advocates at Leicht Memorial Park in Green Bay to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

Coverage:

• WGBA (NBC): Governor Evers Calls for Expanding Medicaid 
• WFRV (CBS): Health Care Bus Tour 
• WFRV (CBS): Gov. Evers Promoting Health Care 
• WBAY (ABC): Governor Evers Visits Green Bay for Protect Our Care Bus Tour 
• WLUK (Fox): Governor Evers to Show How Democrats Are Lowering Costs 

Watch the event here.

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Senator Amy Klobuchar, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Mayor Jake Spano, State Rep. Kelly Morrison, and health care advocates at Louisiana Oaks Park in St. Louis Park to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

Watch the event here.

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
Contact: Faisa Ahmed | [email protected] | 612-532-8622

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 11th, 2023 at 11:00 AM ET // 10:00 AM CT***

Care Force One Rolls into St. Louis Park, Minnesota on Friday as it Travels Across 16+ States, Making Over 30 Stops and Covering Nearly 8,000 Miles

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Live Here.

St. Louis Park, MN — On day 10 of Protect Our Care’s “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) will join health care advocates and Protect Our Care for an event in St. Louis Park, Minnesota demonstrating how recent victories by President Biden and Democrats in Congress are already “Driving Down Health Care Costs” by thousands of dollars a year — with even more savings on the way. During the events, speakers will discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act and other health care measures will improve care and lower costs for the American people. Over four weeks, Care Force One will travel to more than 16 states, make more than 30 stops, and travel nearly 8,000 miles. 

The “Lower Costs, Better Care” tour promotes the work of lawmakers who are fighting tirelessly to improve health care. While drug companies are doing everything in their power to roll back this progress in order to put profits over people, lawmakers like Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Angie Craig will stop at nothing to lower costs and improve care for people across Minnesota. August marks the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act and the savings it continues to deliver to Minnesotans. Read more about the Inflation Reduction Act’s health care provisions here. 

PRESS EVENT:

WHO:
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General
Jake Spano, Mayor of St. Louis Park
Kelly Morrison, Physician and Minnesota State Senator
Aleta Borrud, a retired doctor and community healthcare advocate
Quinn Nystrom, Diabetes Advocate and Organizer
Deb Howze, Homecare Worker with SEIU Healthcare MN & IA
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate

WHERE: Watch a livestream of the event here. 

WHEN: Friday, August 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM ET // 10:00 AM CT

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One will make stops in: 

Manchester, New Hampshire on Monday, July 31, 2023
Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Monday, July 31, 2023
Syracuse, New York on Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Kingston, New York on Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Valhalla, New York on Wednesday, August 2, 2023
New York City, New York on Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Thursday, August 3, 2023
Uniontown, Pennsylvania on Friday, August 4, 2023
Youngstown, Ohio on Monday, August 7, 2023
Toledo, Ohio on Monday, August 7, 2023
Trenton, Michigan on Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday, August 8, 2023
La Crosse, Wisconsin on Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Green Bay, Wisconsin on Thursday, August 10, 2023
St. Paul, Minnesota on Friday, August 11, 2023
Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday, August 14, 2023
Bakersfield, California on Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Orange County, California on Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Palm Springs, California on Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday, August 17, 2023
Tucson, Arizona on Thursday, August 17, 2023
Albuquerque, New Mexico on Friday, August 18, 2023
Atlanta, Georgia on Monday, August 21, 2023
Macon, Georgia on Monday, August 21, 2023
Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Greensboro, North Carolina on Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Raleigh, North Carolina on Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Norfolk, Virginia on Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Richmond, Virginia on Thursday, August 24, 2023
Wilmington, Delaware on Thursday, August 24, 2023
Allentown, Pennsylvania on Friday, August 25, 2023

For more information on Protect Our Care’s “Lower Cost, Better Care” tour, click here.

Care Force One Rolls into La Crosse and Green Bay as it Travels Across 16+ States, Making Over 30 Stops and Covering Nearly 8,000 Miles

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Live Here.

Washington, D.C. — On the second week of Protect Our Care’s 8,000-mile “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, “Care Force One” will make two stops in Wisconsin to demonstrate how recent victories by President Biden and Democrats in Congress are already “Driving Down Health Care Costs” by thousands of dollars a year — with even more savings on the way. During the events, speakers will discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act and other health care measures will improve care and lower costs for the American people. Over four weeks, Care Force One will travel to more than 16 states, make more than 30 stops, and travel nearly 8,000 miles.

The “Lower Costs, Better Care” tour promotes the work of lawmakers who are fighting tirelessly to improve health care and hold Republicans accountable for trying to roll back this progress, hike costs, and rip away protections from the American people. Drug companies and Republican lawmakers are doing everything in their power to roll back this progress in order to put profits over people. August marks the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act and the savings it continues to deliver. 

WEDNESDAY

La Crosse, Wisconsin:

WHO:
Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Sue S., Onalaska Senior, Storyteller
Amy, La Crosse resident, Storyteller
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate 

WHERE: Gunderson Pharmacy, 111 Sand Lake Rd, Onalaska, WI 54650

WHEN: Wednesday, August 09, 2023, at 1:30 PM CDT // 2:30 PM EDT

THURSDAY

Green Bay, Wisconsin:

WHO:
Governor Tony Evers
Michael Hovde, For Our Future Wisconsin
Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate 

WHERE: Leicht Memorial Park, 128 Dousman St, Green Bay, WI 54303

WHEN: Thursday, August 10, 2023, at 9:30 AM CDT // 10:30 AM EDT

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One will make stops in: 

Manchester, New Hampshire on Monday, July 31, 2023
Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Monday, July 31, 2023
Syracuse, New York on Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Kingston, New York on Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Valhalla, New York on Wednesday, August 2, 2023
New York City, New York on Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Thursday, August 3, 2023
Uniontown, Pennsylvania on Friday, August 4, 2023
Youngstown, Ohio on Monday, August 7, 2023
Toledo, Ohio on Monday, August 7, 2023
Trenton, Michigan on Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday, August 8, 2023
La Crosse, Wisconsin on Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Green Bay, Wisconsin on Thursday, August 10, 2023
St. Paul, Minnesota on Friday, August 11, 2023
Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday, August 14, 2023
Bakersfield, California on Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Orange County, California on Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Palm Springs, California on Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday, August 17, 2023
Tucson, Arizona on Thursday, August 17, 2023
Albuquerque, New Mexico on Friday, August 18, 2023
Atlanta, Georgia on Monday, August 21, 2023
Macon, Georgia on Monday, August 21, 2023
Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Greensboro, North Carolina on Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Raleigh, North Carolina on Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Norfolk, Virginia on Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Richmond, Virginia on Thursday, August 24, 2023
Wilmington, Delaware on Thursday, August 24, 2023
Allentown, Pennsylvania on Friday, August 25, 2023

For more information on Protect Our Care’s “Lower Cost, Better Care” tour, click here.