News

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY FEBRUARY 9***

Lawmakers Have Long Promised to Rein in High Drug Prices, Lower Health Costs, and Expand Access — President Biden and Democrats Are Getting the Job Done.

During President Biden’s State of the Union address, he celebrated the administration’s accomplishments and outlined further action to lower costs and improve care for people across the nation. During the speech, President Biden called on Congress to make lower health care premiums permanent, expand the monthly $35 insulin cap to everyone, close the Medicaid coverage gap for remaining states, and extend Medicare solvency. Prior to the president’s address, Protect Our Care released its agenda for 2023, calling on Congress to keep up the momentum to lower health care costs, improve care, and advance health equity.

Last year, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, which lowered prescription drug and premium costs for millions of seniors and families. Two weeks ago, HHS announced that a record 16.3 million people signed up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. The administration has also worked to stop surprise billing, strengthen maternal care, and reduce racial, rural, and other disparities in our health care system. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are working to build on these health care gains. Republicans, on the other hand, are doubling down on their war on health care by raising premiums, ending Medicare and Medicaid as we know it, reversing recent coverage gains, and hiking prescription drug costs for the American people. 

NEVADA
WHO:
Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV-03)
Barb Hartzell, Nevadan health care storyteller
Donna West, Nevadan health care storyteller

WHEN: February 9th at 11:00 AM PT

WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required) 

ARIZONA
WHO:
Saundra Neely-Cole, President of Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans
David Lucier, President of Arizona Veterans and Military Leadership Alliance
Protect Our Care Arizona

WHEN: Thursday, February 9 at 2 PM MST

WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)

On Tuesday night, President Biden delivered his State of the Union address, celebrating the administration’s accomplishments and outlining further action to lower costs and improve health care for people across the nation. President Biden made clear he was committed to protecting vital programs — including Medicare and Social Security — from Republican attacks and building on recent health care gains to lower insulin costs, expand Medicaid, and more. As part of the event, key lawmakers welcomed guests who demonstrated the importance of affordable and accessible health care for everyone. Here are a few of their stories:

Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Lacy McGee
Lacy McGee is an insulin user from Atlanta, who has struggled to afford her medication despite having private insurance. She has been forced to ration her insulin or even rely on the black market to obtain the lifesaving drug. Lacy’s story demonstrates the importance of extending the Inflation Reduction Act’s monthly insulin cap to everyone. Watch Lacy’s story here.

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and David Hovde
David Hovde from Appleton, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with diabetes. He takes two kinds of insulin, which was costing him hundreds of dollars monthly. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, his insulin costs are now capped at $35 per month. Watch David’s story here. 

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and Marguerite Bailey Young
Marguerite Bailey Young is a 94-year-old type two diabetic and retired teacher from Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Inflation Reduction Act has allowed Marguerite, who is on a fixed income, to save around $2,000 a year on insulin. Watch Marguerite’s story here. 

Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Cindy Mundell
Cindy Mundell is a retired Cardiac ICU Nurse from Naperville, Illinois. She relies on Social Security and Medicare to stay healthy. Watch Cindy’s story here. 

Last night, President Biden delivered his State of the Union address to the nation. During his speech, President Biden made clear he is committed to protecting vital programs — including Medicare and Social Security — from Republican attacks. He also called on Congress to make lower health care premiums permanent, expand the $35 monthly insulin cap, close the Medicaid coverage gap for the remaining states, and extend Medicare solvency for over two decades. Coverage made clear that lowering health costs and improving remains a top priority for 2023. 

Read Protect Our Care’s 2023 agenda here. 

COVERAGE:

The Wall Street Journal: Biden Calls For Insulin Cap, Praises Medicare Drug Negotiation. President Biden called for expanding a $35 monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs for insulin and criticized Republicans for wanting to repeal parts of legislation that will let Medicare negotiate some drug prices. … “One in 10 Americans has diabetes. Every day, millions need insulin to control their diabetes so they can stay alive,” Mr. Biden said. “Big Pharma has been unfairly charging people hundreds of dollars – four to five hundred dollars a month – and making record profits. Not any more. Not any more.” He also praised one of this administration’s biggest accomplishments on drug pricing: Legislation empowering Medicare for the first time to negotiate with drug makers over some prices. [The Wall Street Journal, 2/7/23]

Politico: “The Time For Talking About The Health Care Problems That Occupy Voters’ Minds — Like Reducing Health Care Costs — Has Arrived.” . “President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech on Tuesday night made one thing clear as we inch closer to election season: The time for lingering on the messy details of the pandemic is over, and the time for talking about the health care problems that occupy voters’ minds — like reducing health care costs — has arrived… As expected, Biden called for a universal $35 insulin price cap for all Americans… Biden reiterated calls to fill the Medicaid coverage gap for the roughly 2 million people living in the 11 states that haven’t expanded Medicaid under Obamacare… The president pledged that neither Medicare nor Social Security would be cut and he would veto attempts to slash them. He also said he planned to extend the Medicare Trust Fund by at least two decades.” [Politico, 2/8/23]

USA Today: Biden Wants Insulin Cost Cap Of $35 A Month For All Americans. Biden on Tuesday mentioned how the person who discovered insulin didn’t patent so that it would be available to everyone. Canadian scientist Frederick Banting discovered insulin in 1921. Scientists treated the first diabetic patient in 1922 and sold the patent to the University of Toronto for 3 Canadian dollars. The university administered the patent and received royalty payments from drug companies that sold human insulin. [USA Today, 2/7/23]

The Washington Post: Biden’s Medicare Comments Sparked Fireworks, Even As He Used His Speech To Outline Areas Of Health-Care Cooperation. “The most acrimonious moment in last night’s State of the Union address came when President Biden said some Republican proposals would sunset Medicare and Social Security – and loud protests erupted inside the House chamber… It led to a perplexing moment that ended with Biden ad-libbing, ‘“I enjoy conversion,’” to suggest some Republicans had changed their position. Most of the chamber then stood up and clapped when Biden said,’ “So tonight, let’s all agree — and apparently we are — and stand up for seniors….We will not cut Social Security! We will not cut Medicare!’”” [The Washington Post, 2/8/23]

Healthcare Finance News: Biden Touted The Strides His Administration Has Made In Health Care, Such As Capping Out-Of-Pocket Insulin Costs At $35 For Medicare Beneficiaries Through Passage Of The Inflation Reduction Act . “Biden touted the strides his administration has made in health care, such as capping out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 for Medicare beneficiaries through passage of the Inflation Reduction Act… ‘This law also caps out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors on Medicare at a maximum $2,000 per year when there are in fact many drugs, like expensive cancer drugs, that can cost up to $10,000, $12,000 and $14,000 a year,’ he said. ‘If drug prices rise faster than inflation, drug companies will have to pay Medicare back the difference. And we’re finally giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. Bringing down prescription drug costs doesn’t just save seniors money. It will cut the federal deficit, saving taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars on the prescription drugs the government buys for Medicare. Why wouldn’t we want to do that?’” [Healthcare Finance News, 2/8/23]

Kaiser Health News: Health Policies Were A Prominent Theme In Biden’s State Of The Union Speech. “President Joe Biden on Tuesday delivered his State of the Union address to a politically divided Congress for the first time, calling for permanent fixes on policy priorities like unaffordable health costs… Biden also took victory laps, some of which focused on health care initiatives. He talked about the savings to people and to the federal government that would result from allowing Medicare to negotiate what it pays for prescription medicines… He dedicated an estimated four minutes to his efforts to hold down health care costs — namely prescription drug prices — and pointed a finger directly at Big Pharma.”.” [KHN, 2/8/23]

Watch Mike Lee Pledge to Destroy Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid Here.

Washington DC — Last night, President Biden delivered his State of the Union Address, where he highlighted Republican attacks on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Shortly after the speech, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) claimed that President Biden had “mischaracterized” Republican attempts to cut these vital programs. In reality, Mike Lee has been leading the pack when it comes to slashing benefits for seniors, famously saying “It will be my objective, to phase out Social Security, to pull it up by the roots and get rid of it…Medicare and Medicaid are of the same sort and need to be pulled out.” In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“Republicans are shameless when it comes to lying about Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to the American people. Lawmakers like Mike Lee cannot rewrite history. The GOP has repeatedly aimed to slash benefits for seniors in order to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. Just days ago, Congressional Republicans publicly stated they were still looking at Social Security and Medicare cuts as part of debt ceiling negotiations. Let’s be clear: the GOP plan to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security would be devastating to millions of people and is an attack against the most vulnerable Americans, including people of color, rural families, and low-income seniors. Fortunately, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are dedicated to not only protecting these vital programs, but expanding them to lower costs and improve care for our nation’s seniors.” 

Republicans have been saying for months that they want to cut Social Security and Medicare:

HEADLINE: Some GOP lawmakers aren’t quite ready to take Medicare and Social Security out of the debt limit battle — even after Kevin McCarthy said the matter is ‘off the table’ [Insider, 2/6/23] 

HEADLINE: Republicans’ plans to slash Social Security and Medicare are becoming clearer: ‘We have no choice but to make hard decisions’ [Insider, 1/25/23] 

HEADLINE: House GOP eyes Social Security, Medicare amid spending battle [Washington Post, 1/24/23] 

HEADLINE: Republicans Signal Cuts To Social Security, Medicare With New House Majority [Huffington Post, 1/9/23] 

HEADLINE: GOP floats Medicare changes while ducking details [Axios, 11/3/22] 

HEADLINE: Republicans, Eyeing Majority, Float Changes to Social Security and Medicare [New York Times, 11/2/22] 

HEADLINE: Republicans eye using debt limit hike to overhaul entitlement programs if entrusted with majority [Fox News, 10/29/22] 

HEADLINE: Entitlement, Spending Cap Plans Linked by GOP to Debt-Limit Deal [Bloomberg, 10/11/22] 

HEADLINE: Sen. Johnson suggests ending Medicare, Social Security as mandatory spending programs [Washington Post, 8/3/22] 

President Biden Is Delivering on His Promise to Lower Health Care Costs, Reduce Drug Prices, and Improve Care for Families Nationwide

Washington DC —Tonight, President Biden delivered his State of the Union address, celebrating the administration’s accomplishments and outlining further action to lower costs and improve health care for people across the nation. During the speech, President Biden called on Congress to make lower health care premiums permanent, expand the $35 monthly insulin cap to everyone, close the Medicaid coverage gap for the remaining 11 states, and extend Medicare solvency for 25 years.

Last year, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, which lowered prescription drug and premium costs for millions of seniors and families. Two weeks ago, HHS announced that a record 16.3 million people signed up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. The administration has also worked to stop surprise billing, strengthen maternal care, and reduce racial, rural, and other disparities in our health care system. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are working to build on these health care gains while also protecting them from Republican policies that threaten access to quality, affordable health coverage for millions. Read Protect Our Care’s full 2023 agenda here. 

Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“Over the past two years, President Biden has demonstrated what it means to be a health care president. Under President Biden’s leadership, Democrats in Congress have delivered for the American people by expanding affordable coverage, lowering prescription drug prices, and strengthening access to health care. These achievements have made a world of difference for our nation’s seniors, people of color, people with disabilities, rural communities, and countless others. Republicans, on the other hand, have pledged to make devastating cuts to Medicare Medicaid, and Social Security, and to repeal the ACA and the Inflation Reduction Act, which would rip away critical protections and raise costs for over 100 million Americans. It is imperative we stop the Republican war on health care and that we make access to affordable, quality health care a right for every American.”

This week we highlight accomplishments and expansions of highly successful services and programs dedicated to reducing disparities in the health care system as well as federal and state efforts to advance equity. Even with these achievements, new research on foster care, behavioral health services, maternal health, and  LGBTQ+ care underscores there is still a long way to go in tackling systemic inequities and advancing health equity.

Protect Our Care is dedicated to making high-quality, affordable and equitable health care a right, and not a privilege, for everyone in America. We advocate for policies that lower health care costs and strengthen coverage, which are critical to expanding access to quality health care and, ultimately, achieving better health outcomes, particularly for people of color, rural Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and more. Our strategies are driven by a broader commitment to tackling systemic inequities that persist due to racism and discrimination and the reality that multi-sector policies are needed to address basic conditions that affect health and related outcomes, particularly for marginalized communities.

INITIATIVES

Washington Post: FDA Eases Restrictions on Blood Donations for Gay and Bisexual Men. “Gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships will no longer be forced to abstain from sex to donate blood under federal guidelines announced Friday, ending a vestige of the earliest days of the AIDS crisis. The proposed relaxation of restrictions by the Food and Drug Administration follows years of pressure by blood banks, the American Medical Association and LGBT rights organizations to abandon rules some experts say are outdated, homophobic and ineffective at keeping the nation’s blood supply safe. The new approach eliminates rules that target men who have sex with men and instead focuses on sexual behaviors by people, regardless of gender, that pose a higher risk of contracting and transmitting HIV. The FDA is expected to adopt the proposal after a period of public comment. Other countries including Canada and the United Kingdom have made similar changes in recent years. For decades, gay men said they were made to feel like pariahs as they were barred from performing a widely lauded act of community service, sidelined from joining friends and family giving blood after national disasters.” [Washington Post, 1/26/23]

CNN: Expanding Services for 988 Hotline Hope to Reach Out to Marginalized Groups “Since the summer launch of 988, more than 300,000 calls, texts and chats have come in each month. SAMHSA data on the new lifeline show that in December 2022 versus December 2021, calls answered increased by 48%, chats answered increased by 263% and texts answered increased by 1,445%. The 988 lifeline also has been testing a pilot program specifically for the LGBTQ+ community, in partnership with the Trevor Project, in which calls, texts or chats from LGBTQ+ youth have the option of being connected with counselors specially trained in LGBTQ-inclusive crisis care services. The pilot program began around the end of September, and ‘there has been a lot of demand and a lot of utilization of that service,’ [Dr. John] Palmieri said. He added that LGBTQ+ youth are at a higher risk of suicide. Since its launch, the 988 lifeline also has increased the number of call centers taking Spanish calls from a total of three to seven. Spanish language options will increase for text and chat messaging as well, Palmieri said.” [CNN, 1/19/23]

Wisconsin Examiner: Newly Released State Health Equity Report Calls for Changes Which Extend Outside of Health System. “A new report calls for Wisconsin to foster a corps of community health workers across the state, governed by a new set of professional standards and paid by the state’s Medicaid program. That is the lead proposal offered by the Governor’s Health Equity Council, which issued its final report Monday. The report includes a total of 20 recommendations. The first six directly focus on the state’s health care system and institutions, starting with creating a certification standard for community health workers and allowing them to be reimbursed under the Wisconsin Medicaid program. The report’s other proposals directly tied to health care include improving health care for pregnant women who are incarcerated, as well as policies to more broadly and completely share health data and to review maternal deaths. In addition, there are proposals that address economic conditions, such as increasing the minimum wage and expanding home ownership. There are also proposals to make the health equity council a permanent body, and to create a council on transgender health and safety that would provide training, technical support and analysis and recommendations across government agencies. The report anticipates opposition from some ideological quarters, although it does not lay out a specific plan for implementing its proposals.” [Wisconsin Examiner, 1/31/23]

Bloomberg: CDC New Institutional Shakeup Includes Creating an Office of Health Equity. “US public health chief Rochelle Walensky continued reconfiguring her agency to fight crises after stinging criticism of its pandemic response, hiring new leadership and creating new offices to address health equity and surveillance. Walensky is… forming an Office of Health Equity that will report to her team, according to the person, who asked not to be named discussing details that aren’t public. The organizational shake-up was guided by a monthslong internal review that identified cultural and organizational shortcomings in the agency’s response to the pandemic. Walensky’s advisers determined that CDC needed to share scientific findings and data faster, improve communications, strengthen relationships with federal, state and local partners, and ensure that the public-health workforce responds quickly to emergencies. Walensky also consolidated work done by two different centers into a new National Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce.” [Bloomberg, 1/24/23]

CHALLENGES

The Daily Yonder: Over 100 Thousand Indigenous Americans Live in Mental Health Care Deserts. “More than 113,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) live in 492 counties that lack mental health providers, according to a new report from GoodRx Research. Over 90% of these areas are in rural parts of the U.S., where healthcare resources are already limited, the report stated. ‘In fact, there are fewer than one psychiatrist or psychologist for every 30,000 people living in these counties,’ said Amanda Nguyen, a health economist at GoodRx Research. Nguyen said mental health access is lacking in the South Central, Midwest, and Alaska regions of the U.S.: These regions have the highest number of mental health care deserts, including Texas (30 mental health desert counties), Kansas (13), Oklahoma (8), Nebraska (8), and Alaska (7) have some of the highest numbers of mental health deserts. In addition to Alaska (11,171), South Dakota (14,650) has one of the highest numbers of AI/AN residents living in mental health deserts. The report also found that poor broadband access limits access to telehealth services, which could help with mental health resources. She said that the study found that counties with a higher population of AI/AN residents had a lower percentage of households with any form of broadband. For example, the vast majority of counties (94%) with 50% or more AI/AN residents – like Apache County in Arizona – have broadband access below the national average. Although most Indian Health Service (IHS) clinics and hospitals provide services at no cost to tribe members and are located on reservations, 87% of those who identify as AI/AN live outside of tribal areas, according to U.S. Census data.” [The Daily Yonder, 1/24/23]

Kaiser Health News: Children in Foster Care Experiencing Consistent Failures in Health Care. “Georgia’s designated health insurer for foster care, Amerigroup Community Care, had denied [a] boy [who had vocally contemplated suicide] placement in a psychiatric residential treatment facility, said Audrey Brannen, coordinator of complex care for Georgia’s child welfare agency. He stayed in a hotel for more than a month before receiving a temporary emergency placement in a foster home, she said. The boy and the other children staying in the hotels lacked permanent placements, Brannen said, and many weren’t getting help for their complex mental and behavioral needs. The frustration over gaps in care had gotten so bad that Candice Broce, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services, sent a scathing six-page letter to the state Medicaid agency in August — signaling an unusual interagency conflict. She argued that Amerigroup, a unit of Elevance Health, isn’t being held accountable for failures in care, and that its foster care contract should not be renewed. Such problems extend beyond Georgia, according to Sandy Santana, executive director of the national advocacy group Children’s Rights. While foster care grabs headlines mainly in cases of abuse or neglect — even deaths — the failures of states and insurers in providing adequate health care for these children are widespread and occur largely without public scrutiny. Nearly all children in foster care are eligible for Medicaid, the state-federal program for those with low incomes, but states decide on the delivery mechanism. Georgia is among at least 10 states that have turned to managed-care companies to deliver specialized services exclusively for foster kids and others under state supervision. At least three more — North Carolina, New Mexico, and Oklahoma — are taking similar steps. But regardless of the structure, getting timely access to care for many of these vulnerable kids is a problem, Santana said.” [Kaiser Health News, 1/25/23]

U.S. News: Vast Disparities in Autism Care Continue to For Families Across the U.S. “Autism services are harder to find in many of the places where Black, Hispanic and Native American families live, new research shows. It’s known that there are racial disparities in U.S. families’ receipt of autism services — ranging from diagnosis and behavioral therapy to school and community programs. The new study highlights one reason: Those services are simply more scarce in the communities where Black, Hispanic and Native American families live. It also points to specific geographic regions in the United States where disparities are most stark. That could help in targeting resources to the areas in greatest need, according to the researchers. There are various approaches to helping kids with autism, including therapies that focus on certain behaviors or speech and language skills, as well as special education offered at schools. The earlier a young child is diagnosed and the sooner families can get those services, the better, [Dennis] Wall said. However, studies have found that compared with their white counterparts, minority children with autism are less likely to receive such services.” [U.S. News, 1/30/23]

AP: Maternal Deaths and Disparities Increase in Mississippi. “Deaths from pregnancy complications have become more prevalent in Mississippi, and racial disparities in the health of those who give birth have widened in recent years, according to a report released Thursday by the state’s Department of Health. The Mississippi Maternal Mortality Report shows that the maternal mortality rate increased by 8.8% between 2013‐2016 and 2017‐2019, with the latter period being the most recent one analyzed by researchers. Black, non-Hispanic women had a rate four times higher than white, non-Hispanic women. Meanwhile, the rate increased by 25% for Black women while falling 14% among white women. Of the maternal deaths directly related to pregnancy, 87.5% were determined to be preventable. The grim figures arrive as the state is expecting more births each year as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision last summer overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which had established a nationwide constitutional protection for abortion. The court used a Mississippi case to overturn the case, a legal effort the state’s leaders have lauded.” [AP, 1/26/23]

The Tennessean: New Report Highlights Disparities for LGBTQ+ Individuals in Tennessee. “Tennessee has begun a new legislative session and the state’s LGBTQ residents are bracing for impact.The General Assembly’s hostility towards its LGBTQ constituents has resulted in one of the most unsupportive legal systems in the country for LGBTQ people. However, for a long time, there has been limited research connecting LGBTQ Tennesseans’ experiences to state policy. A groundbreaking new report from the Southern Equality Research and Policy Center at the Campaign for Southern Equality and Campus Pride… takes a first step toward changing that. Regarding health and wellness, the situation for LGBTQ Tennesseans is dire. Unlike many other states in the country, Tennessee does not have legislation protecting LGBTQ individuals from discrimination in healthcare or insurance coverage. To make matters worse, Tennessee lawmakers have passed laws allowing healthcare providers to refuse service to LGBTQ individuals and criminalizing people living with HIV. Alarmingly, 58% of respondents reported experiencing suicidal thoughts within the past year, and 16% of respondents said they attempted suicide within the past year.This is far higher than the number of suicides attempted nationally; less than .01% of Americans attempt suicide each year.” [The Tennessean, 1/31/23]

President Biden and Democrats in Congress Delivered On Their Promises to Lower Health Care Costs, Reduce Drug Prices, and Improve Care for Families Nationwide

WATCH: President Biden and Democrats in Congress Health Care Achievements

From day one, President Biden has put the health and well-being of Americans first. Since taking office in 2021, President Biden and Congressional Democrats have delivered the most expansive health care reform since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by passing the American Rescue Plan in 2021 and Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. This legislation provided essential relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, drove down drug prices, and extended premium savings for millions of American families. President Biden has also taken executive action to expand affordable coverage, stop surprise billing, strengthen maternal care, and reduce racial, rural, and other disparities in our health care system. As a result, ACA coverage is more affordable than ever before, and the uninsured rate is at an all-time low. 

By The Numbers

• A record 16.3 million Americans signed up for health care coverage on the ACA during the 2022-2023 open enrollment season.
• The uninsured rate is at an all-time low of 8 percent.
• Over 91 million people have health coverage through Medicaid or CHIP.
• 13 million Americans with health insurance from an ACA marketplace plan will save an average of $2,400 per family on their premiums thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. 
• 49 million Medicare beneficiaries no longer face outrageous price hikes for prescription drugs. 
• Seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000 per year beginning in 2025.
• Insulin copays are capped at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries beginning in 2023. 
• 80 of the most expensive prescription drugs will have lower prices because of Medicare negotiations by 2030.

10 Ways Health Care Has Improved Thanks To President Biden And Democrats In Congress

1. Reaching Record Levels Of Health Care Coverage. Thanks in large part to the Inflation Reduction Act, the uninsured rate is at an all-time low. A record 16.3 million Americans signed up for health insurance through the ACA marketplaces. The Biden Administration also made historic investments in the Navigator program to help connect more people to coverage, with a focus on outreach to racial and ethnic minorities, people in rural areas, LGBTQ+ people, and other underserved communities. With the enhanced subsidies in the Inflation Reduction Act and boosted funding for outreach, 3.6 million people enrolled on the marketplace for the first time this year.
2. Reducing Premiums For Millions. President Biden eliminated the family glitch, allowing an additional 1 million people to purchase affordable coverage on the ACA marketplaces with premium tax credits. Premium savings under the American Rescue Plan benefitted millions of Americans, with families saving an average of $2,400 a year on their health insurance premiums. The Inflation Reduction Act extended these premium savings for 13 million families, ensuring no one pays more than 8.5 percent of their income on coverage through the ACA. For Americans with Medicare Part D, Democrats have increased the range of full subsidized assistance to individuals with incomes up to 150% above the poverty level, also under the Inflation Reduction Act. This will allow for 417,000 more Americans to have access to full Medicare Part D assistance, helping them afford countless life-saving medications beginning in 2024.
3. Lowering Drug Costs For Seniors. Millions of people on Medicare still struggle to pay for life-saving prescriptions. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, when drug companies hike prices faster than that the rate of inflation, they will face a penalty. This will not only save the government billions of dollars, but it will drastically reduce out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries. Protecting seniors from these drug hikes will also work to reduce the racial inequities in our health system as Black Medicare beneficiaries are nearly twice as likely than white Medicare beneficiaries to stop taking a prescription due to cost. Medicare Part D plans will also be required to offer improved financial protections and cap annual out-of-pocket spending to $2,000 for more than 46.6 million Americans with Medicare Part D.
4. Giving Medicare The Power To Negotiate Lower Prices. The Inflation Reduction Act also finally ended the ban on giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, which will save taxpayers billions of dollars and lower costs for some of the most popular and expensive prescription drugs. By 2030, 80 of the most expensive prescription drugs will have lower prices because of these negotiations.
5. Capping Insulin Costs. The outrageous prices of insulin, a drug vital for the survival of 3,429,000 Medicare beneficiaries, have forced 80 percent of Americans with diabetes to take out debt in order to pay for their prescriptions and over 13 percent to skip doses entirely due to high costs. The Inflation Reduction Act caps insulin prices at no more than $35 for all Medicare beneficiaries beginning in January — saving seniors up to $1,500 annually.
6. Ensuring Lifesaving Vaccine Access For Seniors. All Medicare Part D beneficiaries will have access to covered vaccines, such as shingles and Tdap, at no cost starting in 2023. White Americans are nearly twice as likely to have received the shingles vaccine than Black Americans and much of this gap can be traced back to cost and lack of access to this vital form of preventive health care. This provision alone will save seniors hundreds of dollars on their health care costs, keep millions of people healthy, and prevent dangerous complications associated with shingles, and other serious diseases.
7. Improving Maternal Health Access. The American Rescue Plan created a pathway to coverage for pregnant Americans, allowing states to extend postpartum coverage under Medicaid from 60 days to 12 months following pregnancy. The United States has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the industrialized world, with 12 percent of maternal deaths occurring between six weeks and one year following delivery, after Medicaid coverage has ended. Maternal mortality disproportionately affects women of color. Birth-related deaths are three times more likely in Black women than their white counterparts and American Indian and Alaska Native women have a maternal mortality rate 2.3 times higher than white women. Today, 37 states and the District of Columbia have extended or plan to extend this coverage to the full 12 months allotted by the American Rescue Plan. Congress extended this option in recent legislation.
8. Protecting Health Care For Moms And Kids. Congress recently passed legislation to guarantee 12-month continuous coverage for children on Medicaid and CHIP once they are enrolled, ensuring millions are not arbitrarily thrown off of their coverage.
9. Banning Surprise Billing. The No Surprises Act went into effect January 1, 2022 and prohibits surprise medical bills for out-of-network care that occurs in unexpected or emergency situations. The Biden administration is committed to protecting patients and holding insurers and providers accountable for deceptive billing practices.
10. Addressing Affordability To Increase Health Care Access And Advance Equity.  The premium savings continued through the Inflation Reduction Act have made more than 65 percent of uninsured Black adults and more than 68 percent of uninsured Hispanic and Latino adults eligible for zero-dollar premium plans. Nearly 80 percent of uninsured Hispanic and Latino adults and 75 percent of uninsured Black adults can now also access plans for less than $50 a month. The Center on Budget Policy and Priorities estimates the premium savings under the Inflation Reduction Act will cause a sharp decline in the uninsured rate across every racial group, with a projected one in three uninsured Black adults gaining coverage. Additionally, under the Inflation Reduction Act, roughly 65 percent of rural Americans now have access to zero-dollar premium health coverage and more than 76 percent are able to find a plan for less than $50 a month, narrowing the coverage differences significantly between rural and urban America.

Democrats Are Continuing Their Work to Lower Health Care Costs, Reduce Drug Prices, and Improve Care for Families Nationwide

Watch the Full Event Here. 

Washington DC — Today, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) joined patient advocates and Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss how Democrats have delivered the most important health care improvements since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expanding affordable coverage, driving down prescription drug costs, strengthening Medicaid for moms and kids, and reducing inequities in care.

Last year, Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which lowered prescription drug and premium costs for millions of seniors and families. Just last week, the Biden administration announced that a record 16.3 million people signed up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are working to build on these health care gains and thwart GOP attempts to undermine progress and raise health care costs. Read Protect Our Care’s full 2023 agenda here. 

“We’ve been in a bunch of these battles over the years against Big Pharma. On the big issues like negotiating penalties for price gouging, out-of-pocket caps and more, Big Pharma always won. What happened on the floor of the United States Senate is the people beat Big Pharma, and Big Pharma is not happy about it,” said U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). “Meanwhile, as part of this debt ceiling negotiation, we cannot let Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid be held hostage. You’re going to hear some Republicans starting tomorrow night claim they have no intention of touching Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Folks believe it when we see it because when you look at what Speaker McCarthy said in order to win the speakership, it’s pretty hard to do their budget balancing without making the changes in Social Security and Medicare, which would hurt a lot of people.”

“I’ve been self-employed for the past 14 years, and during that time, I broke every bone in my right ankle falling down the stairs and tore my bicep muscle in another accident – both of which were not covered by my insurance. I now have a gold plan with a zero-dollar deductible for $251 a month and I’m covered for any further accidents. If it wasn’t for the Inflation Reduction Act, the premium would be $600 a month and would be unaffordable,” said Randie Snow of Pittsburgh. “If I could ask one thing of Congress, it would be to make sure that this subsidy enhancement is permanent, so that other freelancers and independent contractors like myself can afford real health care.”

“When we age, our immune system changes, and we don’t fight off things as we once did. In my case, it was stress that had brought shingles on. So after I was all healed, I went to get vaccinated and I was shocked at the cost of the copayment. Even though I had a great insurance program, it was still $120,” said Linda Hamacher of Michigan. “A lot of people need this immunization, but this is certainly one that the cost has really been prohibitive. Now, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, this vaccine is free for seniors. These benefits are real. They’re now. It’s real help and it’s real help right now.”

“Democrats have a lot to celebrate at tomorrow’s State of the Union address. Thanks to the work of health care champions like Senator Wyden, we have expanded affordable coverage, lowered prescription drug prices, and strengthened health care for moms, kids, and families,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Whether it’s a senior with diabetes taking insulin or a small business owner relying on ACA coverage, millions of Americans can sleep easier knowing they can afford the health care they need. At a time when Republicans have doubled down on their war on health care — by seeking cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, trying to repeal the ACA and the Inflation Reduction Act, and ripping away critical protections — it has never been more critical to remain focused on protecting health care access and putting the health and well-being of families first.”

Fact Sheet: Celebrating Health Care Achievements Ahead of the State of the Union

From day one, President Biden has put the health and well-being of Americans first. Since taking office in 2020, President Biden and Congressional Democrats have delivered the most expansive health care reform since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by passing the American Rescue Plan in 2021 and Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. This legislation provided essential relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, drove down drug prices, and extended premium savings for millions of American families. President Biden has also taken executive action to expand affordable coverage, stop surprise billing, strengthen maternal care, and reduce racial, rural, and other disparities in our health care system. As a result, ACA coverage is more affordable than ever before, and the uninsured rate is at an all-time low. 

By The Numbers

• A record 16.3 million Americans signed up for health care coverage on the ACA during the 2022-2023 open enrollment season.
• The uninsured rate is at an all-time low of 8 percent.
• Over 91 million people have health coverage through Medicaid or CHIP.
• 13 million Americans with health insurance from an ACA marketplace plan will save an average of $2,400 per family on their premiums thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. 
• 49 million Medicare beneficiaries no longer face outrageous price hikes for prescription drugs. 
• Seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000 per year beginning in 2025.
• Insulin copays are capped at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries beginning in 2023. 
• 80 of the most expensive prescription drugs will have lower prices because of Medicare negotiations by 2030.

Read the full fact sheet here. 

President Biden and Democrats in Congress Delivered On Their Promises to Lower Health Care Costs, Reduce Drug Prices, and Improve Care for Families Nationwide

From day one, President Biden has put the health and well-being of Americans first. Since taking office in 2020, President Biden and Congressional Democrats have delivered the most expansive health care reform since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by passing the American Rescue Plan in 2021 and Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. This legislation provided essential relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, drove down drug prices, and extended premium savings for millions of American families. President Biden has also taken executive action to expand affordable coverage, stop surprise billing, strengthen maternal care, and reduce racial, rural, and other disparities in our health care system. As a result, ACA coverage is more affordable than ever before, and the uninsured rate is at an all-time low. 

By The Numbers

• A record 16.3 million Americans signed up for health care coverage on the ACA during the 2022-2023 open enrollment season.
• The uninsured rate is at an all-time low of 8 percent.
• Over 91 million people have health coverage through Medicaid or CHIP.
• 13 million Americans with health insurance from an ACA marketplace plan will save an average of $2,400 per family on their premiums thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. 
• 49 million Medicare beneficiaries no longer face outrageous price hikes for prescription drugs. 
• Seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000 per year beginning in 2025.
• Insulin copays are capped at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries beginning in 2023. 
• 80 of the most expensive prescription drugs will have lower prices because of Medicare negotiations by 2030.

10 Ways Health Care Has Improved Thanks To President Biden And Democrats In Congress

1. Reaching Record Levels Of Health Care Coverage. Thanks in large part to the Inflation Reduction Act, the uninsured rate is at an all-time low. A record 16.3 million Americans signed up for health insurance through the ACA marketplaces. The Biden Administration also made historic investments in the Navigator program to help connect more people to coverage, with a focus on outreach to racial and ethnic minorities, people in rural areas, LGBTQ+ people, and other underserved communities. With the enhanced subsidies in the Inflation Reduction Act and boosted funding for outreach, 3.6 million people enrolled on the marketplace for the first time this year. 
2. Reducing Premiums For Millions. President Biden eliminated the family glitch, allowing an additional 1 million people to purchase affordable coverage on the ACA marketplaces with premium tax credits. Premium savings under the American Rescue Plan benefitted millions of Americans, with families saving an average of $2,400 a year on their health insurance premiums. The Inflation Reduction Act extended these premium savings for 13 million families, ensuring no one pays more than 8.5 percent of their income on coverage through the ACA. For Americans with Medicare Part D, Democrats have increased the range of full subsidized assistance to individuals with incomes up to 150% above the poverty level, also under the Inflation Reduction Act. This will allow for 417,000 more Americans to have access to full Medicare Part D assistance, helping them afford countless life-saving medications beginning in 2024.
3. Lowering Drug Costs For Seniors. Millions of people on Medicare still struggle to pay for life-saving prescriptions. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, when drug companies hike prices faster than that the rate of inflation, they will face a penalty. This will not only save the government billions of dollars, but it will drastically reduce out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries. Protecting seniors from these drug hikes will also work to reduce the racial inequities in our health system as Black Medicare beneficiaries are nearly twice as likely than white Medicare beneficiaries to stop taking a prescription due to cost. Medicare Part D plans will also be required to offer improved financial protections and cap annual out-of-pocket spending to $2,000 for more than 46.6 million Americans with Medicare Part D. 
4. Giving Medicare The Power To Negotiate Lower Prices. The Inflation Reduction Act also finally ended the ban on giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, which will save taxpayers billions of dollars and lower costs for some of the most popular and expensive prescription drugs. By 2030, 80 of the most expensive prescription drugs will have lower prices because of these negotiations.
5. Capping Insulin Costs. The outrageous prices of insulin, a drug vital for the survival of 3,429,000 Medicare beneficiaries, have forced 80 percent of Americans with diabetes to take out debt in order to pay for their prescriptions and over 13 percent to skip doses entirely due to high costs. The Inflation Reduction Act caps insulin prices at no more than $35 for all Medicare beneficiaries beginning in January — saving seniors up to $1,500 annually.
6. Ensuring Lifesaving Vaccine Access For Seniors. All Medicare Part D beneficiaries will have access to covered vaccines, such as shingles and Tdap, at no cost starting in 2023. White Americans are nearly twice as likely to have received the shingles vaccine than Black Americans and much of this gap can be traced back to cost and lack of access to this vital form of preventive health care. This provision alone will save seniors hundreds of dollars on their health care costs, keep millions of people healthy, and prevent dangerous complications associated with shingles, and other serious diseases. 
7. Improving Maternal Health Access. The American Rescue Plan created a pathway to coverage for pregnant Americans, allowing states to extend postpartum coverage under Medicaid from 60 days to 12 months following pregnancy. The United States has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the industrialized world, with 12 percent of maternal deaths occurring between six weeks and one year following delivery, after Medicaid coverage has ended. Maternal mortality disproportionately affects women of color. Birth-related deaths are three times more likely in Black women than their white counterparts and American Indian and Alaska Native women have a maternal mortality rate 2.3 times higher than white women. Today, 37 states and the District of Columbia have extended or plan to extend this coverage to the full 12 months allotted by the American Rescue Plan. Congress extended this option in recent legislation. 
8. Protecting Health Care For Moms And Kids. Congress recently passed legislation to guarantee 12-month continuous coverage for children on Medicaid and CHIP once they are enrolled, ensuring millions are not arbitrarily thrown off of their coverage. 
9. Banning Surprise Billing. The No Surprises Act went into effect January 1, 2022 and prohibits surprise medical bills for out-of-network care that occurs in unexpected or emergency situations. The Biden administration is committed to protecting patients and holding insurers and providers accountable for deceptive billing practices.
10. Addressing Affordability To Increase Health Care Access And Advance Equity.  The premium savings continued through the Inflation Reduction Act have made more than 65 percent of uninsured Black adults and more than 68 percent of uninsured Hispanic and Latino adults eligible for zero-dollar premium plans. Nearly 80 percent of uninsured Hispanic and Latino adults and 75 percent of uninsured Black adults can now also access plans for less than $50 a month. The Center on Budget Policy and Priorities estimates the premium savings under the Inflation Reduction Act will cause a sharp decline in the uninsured rate across every racial group, with a projected one in three uninsured Black adults gaining coverage. Additionally, under the Inflation Reduction Act, roughly 65 percent of rural Americans now have access to zero-dollar premium health coverage and more than 76 percent are able to find a plan for less than $50 a month, narrowing the coverage differences significantly between rural and urban America.

 ***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 AT 12:30 PM ET // 9:30 AM PT***

Senator Wyden and Protect Our Care to Celebrate Lower Health Care Costs and Discuss Need to Protect and Strengthen the Inflation Reduction Act

Washington, DC — On Monday, February 6, 2023 at 12:30 PM ET, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) will join patient advocates and Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss how Democrats have delivered the most important health care improvements since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expanding affordable coverage, driving down prescription drug costs, strengthening Medicaid for moms and kids, and reducing inequities in care. As it stands, a record 16.3 million people signed up for coverage under the ACA marketplaces, seniors are saving on insulin and vaccine costs, and the uninsured rate has reached an all time low. 

The event comes ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union address, where he will celebrate the administration’s accomplishments and outline further action to lower costs and improve care for people across the nation. Republicans, on the other hand, are doubling down on their war on health care by raising premiums, ending Medicare and Medicaid as we know it, reversing recent coverage gains, and hiking prescription drug costs for the American people. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Linda Hamacher, patient advocate
Randie Snow, patient advocate
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Monday, February 6, 2023 at 12:30 PM ET // 9:30 AM PT