News

Four new polls show one unmistakable conclusion – the Inflation Reduction Act has overwhelming support from every group of Americans and the most popular items are those addressing health care costs. The plan will bring down the price of prescription drugs by giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices and lower health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. 

Take a look for yourself.

Morning Consult/Politico finds:

– 73% support for “allowing Medicare to negotiate some prescription drug prices”

– 76% support for “placing caps on prescription drug price increases”

– 73% support for “limiting annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries to $2,000”

– 56% support for “extending Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year”

Navigator Research finds strong support by 41-points (65-24%) for Biden and Democrats’ new economic plan, known as the Inflation Reduction Act

• Independents: +40 (61-21%)
• Among Non-College College Educated: +41 (64-23%)
• Among Educated: +43 (69-26%)

Data for Progress finds strong support +51 (73-22%) support for the Inflation Reduction Act.

Yahoo News/YouGov poll finds  61% support (14% oppose) lowering “the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices for the first time while capping out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 a year” in the Inflation Reduction Act”

– Among people 65+, support reaches 72-11%.

– Among independents, support reaches 61-13%

News Comes as Congress is on the Cusp of Delivering Most Significant Health Care Legislation Since the ACA

Washington. DC —Today, the Department of Health and Human Services released an analysis showing that a just 8 percent of Americans lacked health insurance at the beginning of 2022 — an all-time low for the nation. Additionally, more than five million Americans gained coverage since President Biden was elected in 2020. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“President Biden has done it again. After Republicans spent years trying to rip coverage away, President Biden has done everything in his power to make health insurance more affordable, accessible, and equitable for the American people. Between signing the American Rescue Plan into law, investing in open enrollment and reversing Republican sabotage, President Biden has delivered on his promise to prioritize the health and well-being of every American. Under his administration, millions of Americans have been able to enroll in coverage giving them much-needed financial relief while ensuring they are protected if they get sick. Now, Democrats in Congress are set to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which will drive down health care and prescription drug prices and deliver affordable care to working families, people with disabilities, and Black and Brown communities. These provisions will ensure millions more Americans have the health care they need for years to come.”

New TV Ad and Lite Brite Demonstration Call on Lawmakers to Act Now and Rein in Big Pharma’s Reckless Greed

Yesterday, Protect Our Care hosted a Lite-Brite demonstration with health care activists outside of PhRMA’s headquarters urging the Democrats in Congress to rein in Big Pharma’s greed and deliver real relief to millions of families. Protect Our Care also launched a new television ad condemning drug companies for doing everything in their power to protect their profits and block reform to lower prescription drug costs for the American people. The events come as momentum builds on Capitol Hill for passing Democrats’ historic Inflation Reduction Act.  

President Biden and Democrats are on the cusp of driving down health care costs and leveling the playing field for working families by including Medicare negotiation and other key health care priorities in their reconciliation package. These provisions stand to benefit millions of Americans, particularly seniors, women, people with disabilities, and Black and Brown communities. However, big drug companies have spent more than $100 million lobbying, political contributions, and misleading advertisements this year alone to block any reform that reduces drug prices at the expense of their sky-high profits. Leading up to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Protect Our Care will continue its activities urging Congress to put an end to drug company greed now. 

This evening, Protect Our Care hosted a Lite-Brite demonstration outside PhRMA’s headquarters in D.C., condemning them for doing everything in their power to protect drug company profits. Thankfully, Democrats in Congress are poised to rein in Big Pharma’s greed and deliver on their promise to lower prescription drug costs. Big Pharma has spent over $100 million on lobbying this year alone in an effort to maintain the status quo that allows them to raise prices while millions of Americans struggle to afford their prescriptions. As it stands, Americans pay three times more for prescription drugs than people in other countries, forcing millions to choose between affording their medications and paying for essentials like food or rent.

The Lite-Brite display comes as President Biden and the Democrats in Congress are moving forward with the most significant health care legislation since the Affordable Care Act. Earlier this week, Senate Democrats announced a historic reconciliation deal that will deliver lower health care costs for millions of families. This Inflation Reduction Act will finally give Medicare the power to negotiate lower costs for millions of Americans, while capping seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for drugs at $2,000 per year and stopping pharmaceutical companies from enacting egregious annual price hikes. The Lite-Brite display makes clear that Congress must act now to put an end to Big Pharma’s greed by quickly getting the reconciliation bill to President Biden’s desk for signature.

Background:

Big Pharma Drops Over $100 Million Fighting Prescription Drug Price Negotiation

The Inflation Reduction Act harbors hope for the millions of Americans who depend on insulin and other life-saving prescription drugs. Insulin is vital to the management of diabetes but often comes with a hefty price tag. The U.S. is a target for Big Pharma price hikes because current policies have allowed them to raise prices year after year unchecked. This legislation – which is the largest health care bill since the ACA – will, for the first time, authorize Medicare to negotiate prices directly for some of the most expensive prescription medicines, including insulin; institute a cap on out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries; and limit annual price increases to stop price gouging by drug corporations. Now, Democrats are also moving to limit the cost of insulin at $35 per month for everyone with insurance.  

Key Points:

• Millions Of Americans Rely On Insulin. 37.3 million Americans—more than 1 in 10—have diabetes, with more than 7 million Americans dependent on insulin to manage their diabetes. In 2017, 3.1 million Medicare Part D enrollees used insulin.
• Skyrocketing Insulin Costs Are Hurting Diabetics. As many as one in four of the 7 million Americans dependent on insulin are skipping or skimping on doses, which can lead to death. This is because of Big Pharma’s outrageous price hikes. The cost of the four most popular types of insulin have tripled over the past decade, with the average price per month rising to $450 in 2016. Eli Lilly, for example, has hiked the price of its brand-name insulin, Humalog, 30 times in 20 years, from $21 per vial in 1998 to nearly $300 in 2018.
• The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Will Lower Costs & Protect Patients. Beginning in 2023, Medicare, group, and individual health plans will be required to cover selected insulin products with out-of-pocket costs capped at $35 per month, regardless if a deductible has been met. The bill would also allow Medicare to negotiate insulin prices directly with drug makers. These provisions are expected to provide savings to millions of insulin users with health coverage.

In The News:

Politico: Insulin ‘Things’ Return In Reconciliation. “Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters on Thursday that insulin provisions will be added back into the reconciliation package…” [Politico, 7/29/22]

Bloomberg: Schumer Seeks to Slash Insulin Prices. “Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said in an interview that she’s trying to resurrect a provision that would subject all insulin products automatically to government negotiations.” [Bloomberg, 7/29/22]

Washington Post: Inflation Reduction Act Is ‘A Truly Historic Breakthrough.’ “‘Now, finally, like every other country in the world, we’ll be able to negotiate with drug companies on expensive drugs. It is a truly historic breakthrough many, many years in the making,’ said David Mitchell, president and founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs, one of the advocacy groups that has been pushing Congress to act.”  [Washington Post, 7/28/22] 

Washington Post: Senate Democrats Weigh Adding Insulin Cost-Saving Measure to Economic Package.  “While discussions are still in flux, [Senators Shaheen and Collins] are now looking at ways to include measures that would address the cost of insulin in the Democrats’ long-sought economic package.” [Washington Post, 7/28/22]

Watch the Ad Here.

Washington, DC — Protect Our Care is releasing a new cable TV ad condemning drug companies for doing everything in their power to protect their profits and block a plan that would deliver lower prescription drug costs to the American people. The ad also applauds President Biden and the Democrats in Congress for standing up to the drug companies with this legislation that will finally rein in Big Pharma’s greed. Pharmaceutical companies have spent over $100 million on lobbying this year alone to try to defeat this plan all while raking in record-breaking profits after jacking up prices for consumers. In America, people pay three times more for the same prescription drugs as they do in the rest of the world, because the drug companies have a monopoly and can set the price at whatever they want. 

The ad comes after Senate Democrats reached a historic deal to reduce health care costs and protect millions of households from health insurance premium spikes. Two decades ago, drug companies got Congress to ban Medicare from negotiating drug prices, but Democrats are on track to undo that ban, giving Medicare the power to lower prices for patients. In addition, the Democrats’ plan will cap seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs and penalize drug companies that raise prices faster than inflation. President Biden and the Democrats in Congress are working to deliver real relief to millions of American families. 

“Americans are tired of the broken system that puts Big Pharma’s profits above the needs of working families,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “It is shameful that, in the wealthiest country in the world, families are forced to choose between affording essential medications and putting food on the table or paying rent. Thankfully, President Biden and the Democrats in Congress are delivering on their promise to lower health care costs and expand affordable coverage. Meanwhile, Republicans are standing by big drug companies and other special interests, shamefully putting politics before people.” 

Ad Script:

And the drug companies just rake it in hand over fist. They spent $147 million lobbying lawmakers and saw billions of dollars in profits just last quarter alone. 

That’s how the system works. 

UNTIL NOW.

President Biden and Democrats in Congress are making it right.  Standing up to the drug companies.  They’re ending the days where drug companies can charge whatever they want by making them negotiate with Medicare to bring down prices. 

More patients will be able to afford their medicines. More families will be able to get some sleep at night.

It might mean smaller bonuses for drug company CEOs – fewer private jets and smaller yachts for them. But it lowers prices for patients and it’s the right thing to do. 

Paid for by Protect Our Care.

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR SUNDAY, JULY 31 AT 8:45 PM ET***  

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
CONTACT: Melissa Byrne, 609-364-4267

POC Will Sponsor Lite-Brite Display Outside of Phrma Headquarters Urging Congress to “Fight Pharma: Lower Rx Prices Now!”

Washington, DC – On Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 8:45 PM ET, Protect Our Care will host a Lite-Brite demonstration outside PhRMA’s headquarters in D.C., urging the Democrats in Congress to rein in Big Pharma’s greed and deliver real relief to millions of families. President Biden and Democrats are leading the charge to drive down health care costs and level the playing field for working families, by including Medicare negotiation and other key health care priorities in the reconciliation package. But Big Pharma is not going down without a fight. 

Big drug companies spent over $100 million lobbying this year alone to block any reform that brings down drug prices at the expense of their sky-high profits. With the help of Republican allies, drug companies have been relentless in their efforts to spread lies about the Democrats’ plan to lower the cost of prescription drugs. This event will make clear that Congress must act now to put an end to drug company greed and put patients first. 

LITE-BRITE DISPLAY

WHAT: Lite-Brite Display 

WHEN: Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 8:45 PM ET

WHERE: 950 F St NW, Washington, D.C., 20004

Today marks the five-year anniversary of Senator John McCain giving the final “thumbs-down” vote to block President Trump and Republicans’ top legislative priority: repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Protect Our Care fought alongside advocates, activists, and health care champions in Congress to crush the GOP’s repeal effects, and continue to fight today to preserve the ACA.

Now after more than a decade of protecting our health care, President Biden and Congressional Democrats are poised to pass the most historic legislation since the Affordable Care Act. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will lower prescription drug costs by giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices for millions of Americans, cap seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for drugs at $2000 per year, and stop Big Pharma’s egregious annual price hikes. The ACA’s financial assistance will also be extended for three years, lowering health care premium costs. 

Meanwhile, Republicans have spent more than a decade trying to destroy the Affordable Care Act and its protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions – and they have not quit their crusade against the health care law. House and Senate Republicans not only oppose the historic Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, they voted against the American Rescue Plan, which included measures to expand coverage and dramatically lower health care costs for millions of families. 

Even worse, Senate Republicans like Ron Johnson and Rick Scott have proposed plans to end the ACA altogether. Senator Johnson recently reignited the GOP fight to repeal the ACA, arguing that the GOP should develop an ACA replacement to “actually make good on what we established as our priorities.” As chair of the NRSC, Senator Scott proposed an 11 point Republican plan that would sunset all federal legislation in five years. Not only would the Rick Scott plan put the Affordable Care Act in grave danger, but it threatens every federal health program, including Medicare and Medicaid.

In addition to opposing the critical provisions to lower the costs of prescription drugs in the reconciliation bill, Republicans are also fighting against care for women, seniors, and people with disabilities. Republicans have attacked abortion rights and opposed legislation to help end the maternal mortality crisis. They voted against capping drug costs and extending hearing benefits for seniors. Republicans in Congress also continue to oppose closing the coverage gap in 12 states that have rejected Medicaid expansion, which has left more than two million vulnerable Americans uninsured. Failure to support these policies disproportionately harms people of color, who face increased barriers to accessing care and worse health outcomes. 

As we think back to that historic vote, the contrast remains crystal clear: while Democrats are fighting to level the playing field for working families, Republicans are siding with the pharmaceutical industry and other special interests by sabotaging our care.

Overcoming Pharma’s Greed and Unanimous Republican Opposition, Democrats Secure Greatest Health Care Achievement Since the ACA, Benefiting Millions By Driving Down Premiums and Prescription Drug Prices

Washington, D.C. — Today, Democrats reached a historic deal to drive down prescription drug costs and lower premiums for millions of Americans. Along with fighting inflation and making key investments in climate and energy, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 lowers prescription drug prices by giving Medicare the power to negotiate and other measures that will reduce the costs of prescription drugs for millions of Americans, and lowers health care premiums by extending ACA financial assistance for three years. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statements:

“The deal reached by Senate Democrats means millions of patients will finally be able to afford the health care they need. Health care is the number one kitchen table issue across America, with too many families forced to choose between paying the bills and affording essential care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “By reducing health care premiums and giving Medicare the power to lower prescription drug prices, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are delivering on their promise to lower health care costs and to make health care more accessible and equitable.”