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They All Voted Against the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Affordable Care Act (Every Time They Could)

Republican leaders in the House are completely out of step with the American people on health care. The GOP plan means it will be more expensive to go to the doctor and more expensive to get the drugs Americans rely on to stay healthy. Under Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s radical leadership, Republicans want to return to attacking people with pre-existing conditions, repealing the Affordable Care Act, slashing Medicare, and hiking drug and health insurance costs. Once again, we see how a Republican majority means playing politics with people’s lives in order to support Big Pharma and other special interests. 

Kevin McCarthy: Speaker of the House

Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) won the GOP nomination to become the next Speaker of the House if he is able to secure 218 votes on January 3. 

• Kevin McCarthy Is Open To Using Debt Limit Negotiations To Force Cuts To Medicare And Social Security. Kevin McCarthy told Punchbowl News that he would not “predetermine” whether Social Security and Medicare cuts would be part of debt-limit negotiations. Those comments suggested that, unlike in past negotiations, Republicans could demand future cuts to the programs in order to raise America’s borrowing limit and avoid a default on government debt. Mr. McCarthy later told CNBC that he had not brought up the programs and was committed to “strengthening” them, though he did not provide details.
• Kevin McCarthy Is A Relentless Foe Of The ACA And Efforts To Reduce Health Care Costs. Since taking office in 2007, Kevin McCarthy has been a relentless opponent of the Affordable Care Act, including voting against initial passage of the law, and serving in GOP House leadership during at least 60 attempts to repeal or substantially alter the law. McCarthy also led Republican efforts to try to block passage of the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, which have lowered premiums and established a program to allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for seniors. 

Steve Scalise: Majority Leader

Steve Scalise (R-LA) will serve as Majority Leader in the Republican House. 

• Steve Scalise Led GOP Efforts To Repeal The ACA In 2017 And Now He’s A Cheerleader For The Push To Cut Medicare And Social Security. In 2017, Steve Scalise was the House Majority Whip during the frantic Republican attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act and rip away health coverage and protections for pre-existing conditions for millions of Americans. Now, Scalise is defending GOP plans to cut Medicare and Social Security. Scalise claims that what Republicans have proposed is “strengthening” the programs, but he’s a member of the Republican Study Committee, which recently released a budget outlining plans to raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and convert the program to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare. 
• Steve Scalise Has Opposed The Affordable Care Act Since Its Inception. Since taking office in 2008, Steve Scalise has been a relentless opponent of the Affordable Care Act, including voting against initial passage of the law, voting for at least 60 attempts to repeal or substantially alter the law, including serving as GOP Whip during the failed repeal attempts during the Trump administration. Scalise also helped lead Republican efforts to try to block passage of the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, which have lowered premiums and established a program to allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for seniors. 

Republican Conference Chair

Elise Stefanik was elected to a second term as Republican Conference Chair 

• Elise Stefanik Is A Donald Trump Loyalist Who Belongs To The Medicare-Slashing Republican Study Committee. Elise Stefanik was initially elected to the House in 2014 as a relatively moderate Republican, but in recent years she has transformed herself into an ultra-MAGA Donald Trump loyalist, who is often mentioned as a potential VP pick for Trump’s presidential run in 2024. Stefanik is also a member of the Republican Study Committee, which recently released a budget outlining plans to raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and convert the program to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare. 
• Elise Stefanik Has Voted Eight Times To Repeal The ACA And Opposes Allowing Medicare To Negotiate Lower Prescription Drug Prices. Since taking office in 2015, Stefanik has voted for at least eight attempts to repeal or substantially alter the Affordable Care Act. Stefanik claims that House Republicans will, “Lower healthcare costs through transparency, choice, and competition,” but she opposed the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan, which lower premiums for millions of Americans and give Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors. Stefanik has also peddled the false claim that Medicare drug price negotiation will harm national security or encourage drug manufacturers to “move to China.” 

Majority Whip

Tom Emmer (R-MN) defeated Jim Banks (R-IN) in the race to be Majority Whip 

• Tom Emmer Is A Member Of The Medicare-Slashing Republican Study Committee And The Point Person For Electing A Republican Anti-Health Care Majority. Tom Emmer is a member of the Republican Study Committee, which recently released a budget outlining plans to raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and convert the program to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare. Emmer is also the chairman of the NRCC, a position he used to push misleading claims to help elect an extremist GOP anti-health care majority. 
• Tom Emmer Has Has Voted Eight Times To Repeal The ACA And Opposes Allowing Medicare To Negotiate Lower Prescription Drug Prices. Since taking office in 2015, Emmer has voted for at least eight attempts to repeal or substantially alter the Affordable Care Act and he voted against the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to lower premiums and allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. 

Budget Committee

Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) and Jodey Arrington (R-TX) are seen as the favorites to serve as Budget Committee chair in a Republican-controlled House. Buddy Carter (R-GA) has also expressed interest in the post. 

• Jodey Arrington Has Opposed The Affordable Care Act Since The Day He Got To Congress. Jodey Arrington’s official website still calls for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which he says is a “travesty” that has left America “sick.” Arrington’s first floor speech as a member of the House in 2017 was a jeremiad against the ACA and has never given up on destroying the law, blaming the Senate for hurting the Republican Party by failing to completely repeal during the Trump administration. Since taking office in 2017, Arrington has voted three times to repeal the Affordable Care Act and voted against the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to lower premiums and allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. 
• Jodey Arrington Called For “Eligibility Reforms” To Medicare And Social Security. Arrington has expressed interest in holding the nation’s full faith and credit hostage to force cuts to Medicare and Social Security. Arrington told Bloomberg that a bipartisan negotiation on Social Security and Medicare would likely start with Democrats pushing for more revenue, while “Republicans have a list of eligibility reforms, and we don’t like the tax increases.” He has said that an increase in the eligibility age for both programs would be a commonsense change. Arrington is a member of the Republican Study Committee, which recently released a budget outlining plans to raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and convert the program to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare. 
• Lloyd Smucker Wants To Reduce Benefits For Medicare And Social Security Beneficiaries. Lloyd Smucker has also indicated that he wants to use negotiations over the debt ceiling to impose cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Smucker told Bloomberg that reducing benefits for wealthier Americans via “some sort of means-testing” is a good way to cut costs. Smucker is a member of the Republican Study Committee, which recently released a budget outlining plans to raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and convert the program to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare.
• Lloyd Smucker Has Voted To Repeal The Affordable Care Act And Opposed Measures To Lower Premiums And Drug Prices. Since taking office in 2017, Lloyd Smucker has voted three times to repeal the Affordable Care Act and voted against the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to lower premiums and allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. 
• Buddy Carter’s Top Priority Is Repealing Medicare’s Ability To Negotiate Lower Prescription Drug Prices. Buddy Carter told Fox News in September that increasing prescription drug prices for millions of Americans will be one of his top priorities if Republicans control the House, stating that, “We’ve been asking that question not only about student debt loans, but also about a number of initiatives that have been instigated and put into place by the Biden administration, just like in the Inflation Acceleration Act that I mentioned before with the prescription drug pricing. That is something I’m very interested in as a pharmacist. I’ve been asking my colleagues, ‘How are we going to undo that when we get into the majority?’” Carter also remains a vehement opponent of the Affordable Care Act, insisting on his official website that, “Improving health care in America begins with repealing this disastrous law.” 
• Buddy Carter Wants “Everything On The Table” When It Comes To Social Security And Medicare Cuts. Buddy Carter has said that as chair of the Budget Committee, “Our main focus has got to be on nondiscretionary — it’s got to be on entitlements.” Carter went on to say that “everything is on the table” for Medicare and Social Security and that he plans to use the nation’s debt ceiling and the threat of catastrophic default to force changes to the programs. Carter is a member of the Republican Study Committee, whose recent budget outlined radical proposals like raising the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and converting Medicare to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare. Carter is a member of the Republican Study Committee, which recently released a budget outlining plans to raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and convert the program to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare.
• Buddy Carter Has Voted Eight Times To Repeal The Affordable Care Act And Opposed Measures To Lower Premiums And Drug Prices. Since taking office in 2017, Buddy Carter has voted eight times to repeal the Affordable Care Act and voted against the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to lower premiums and allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. 

Education And Labor Committee

Virginia Foxx (R-NC) is seeking a waiver to circumvent term limit rules to serve as chair of the Education and Labor Committee. If she is unsuccessful, the gavel will most likely go to Tim Walburg (R-MI) 

• Virginia Foxx Is Still Committed To Repealing The Affordable Care Act And Opposed Allowing Medicare To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices For Seniors. Virginia Foxx’s official website still states that she remains “committed to replacing ObamaCare with patient-centered health care that works for the American people.” Since taking office in 2005, Virginia Foxx has been a relentless opponent of the Affordable Care Act and other efforts to expand health coverage and lower costs, including voting against initial passage of the law and voting for at least 60 attempts to repeal or substantially alter the ACA. Foxx has strongly opposed granting Medicaid the power to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors, voting against the Inflation Reduction Act and against 2019 prescription drug negotiation legislation, which she called a “socialized drug pricing scheme.” 
• Virginia Foxx Is A Member Of The Medicare-Slashing Republican Study Committee. Foxx is also a member of the Republican Study Committee, whose recent budget outlined radical proposals like raising the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and converting Medicare to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare
• Tim Walberg Has Voted Dozens Of Times To Repeal The ACA And Opposed Measures To Bring Down Costs And Allow Medicare To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices For Seniors. Since taking office in 2011, Tim Walberg has voted for at least 60 attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and voted against the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to lower premiums and allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. 
• Tim Walberg Is A Member Of The Medicare-Slashing Republican Study Committee. Walberg is also a member of the Republican Study Committee, whose recent budget outlined radical proposals like raising the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and converting Medicare to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare

Energy And Commerce

Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) is the most likely Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee in a Republican House.

• Cathy McMorris Rodgers Voted Against Lowering Drug Prices For America’s Seniors And Promises Aggressive Oversight To Potentially Derail Prescription Drug Price Negotiations. Cathy McMorris Rodgers voted against the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to lower premiums and allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. McMorris Rodgers has promised aggressive oversight of HHS drug price negotiations if she is Chair of Energy and Commerce in a potential effort to delay or derail the program. 
• Cathy McMorris Rodgers Has Voted Dozens Of Times To Repeal The Affordable Care Act. Since taking office in 2005, Cathy McMorris Rodgers has been a relentless opponent of the Affordable Care Act and other efforts to expand health coverage and lower costs, including voting against initial passage of the law and voting for at least 60 attempts to repeal or substantially alter the ACA. 
• Cathy McMorris Rodgers Is A Member Of The Medicare-Slashing Republican Study Committee. McMorris Rodgers is also a member of the Republican Study Committee, whose recent budget outlined radical proposals like raising the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and converting Medicare to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare

Ways And Means

Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Jason Smith (R-MO), and Adrian Smith (R-NE) are locked in a tight battle for the chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee. 

• Vern Buchanan Has Voted Dozens Of Times To Repeal The ACA And Opposed Measures To Bring Down Costs And Allow Medicare To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices For Seniors. Since taking office in 2007, Vern Buchanan has been a relentless opponent of the Affordable Care Act, including voting against initial passage of the law, voting for at least 60 attempts to repeal or substantially alter the law. Buchanan also voted against the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to lower premiums and allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. 
• Vern Buchanan’s Priority For Ways And Means Would Be Extending Donald Trump’s Tax Cuts For The Wealthiest Americans. Vern Buchanan’s top priority on the Ways and Means Committee is making Donald Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthy permanent, a proposal that experts say will only worsen inflation. Buchanan is also a member of the Republican Study Committee, which recently released a budget outlining plans to raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and convert the program to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare. 
• Jason Smith Wants To Use The Debt Ceiling To Force Joe Biden To “Reverse” His Agenda. Smith told Axios in a phone interview he thinks Republicans should leverage debt limit negotiations to ‘reverse’ the administration’s ‘radical’ policies — including by sending a bill gutting the Democratic agenda to President Biden’s desk and daring him to reject it. ‘If Republicans are trying to cut spending, surely he wouldn’t try to default. If we were trying to bring down inflation … trying to secure our border, surely he wouldn’t default,’ Smith said. 
• Jason Smith Promised To Hold “A Lot Of Hearings” On Cuts To Medicare And Social Security. Asked about Republican plans to overhaul Social Security and Medicare, Jason Smith told Axios, “We’re going to have a lot of hearings on this. I’m not going to get into the inner details.” Smith is a member of the Republican Study Committee, which recently released a budget outlining plans to raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and convert the program to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare. 
• Jason Smith Has Voted More Than 20 Times To Repeal The ACA And Opposed Measures To Bring Down Costs And Allow Medicare To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices For Seniors. Since taking office in 2007, Jason Smith has been a relentless opponent of the Affordable Care Act, including voting against initial passage of the law, voting for at least 26 attempts to repeal or substantially alter the law. Smith also voted against the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to lower premiums and allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. 
• Adrian Smith Wants To Use The Debt Ceiling To Force Spending Cuts. Adrian Smith told the Washington Post, “The debt ceiling is an important tool for addressing debt and deficit. After two years of irresponsible spending by Democrats driving historic inflation, American families can’t afford for us to not have a serious debate about government spending.” Smith is also a member of the Republican Study Committee, which recently released a budget outlining plans to raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and convert the program to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare.
• Adrian Smith Has Voted Dozens Of Times To Repeal The ACA And Opposed Measures To Bring Down Costs And Allow Medicare To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices For Seniors. Since taking office in 2007, Adrian Smith has been a relentless opponent of the Affordable Care Act, including voting against initial passage of the law, voting for at least 60 attempts to repeal or substantially alter the law. Smith also voted against the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to lower premiums and allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. 

Oversight

James Comer (R-KY) is considered the Republican chairman-in-waiting of the Oversight Committee. 

• James Comer Will Use The Oversight Committee To Attack Science And The Nation’s Pandemic Response. James Comer has outlined an oversight agenda that includes attacks on the CDC and the nation’s pandemic response. Comer will use the committee’s resources to investigate the origins of the coronavirus and federal funds supporting research done at Wuhan Institute of Virology as well as pandemic-era guidance from the CDC that Comer calls “confusing.” Comer and other Republicans also plan to lay the blame for high drug prices on prescription drug middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers in oversight hearings.
• James Comer Has Voted To Repeal The Affordable Care Act And Opposed Measures To Lower Premiums And Drug Prices. Since taking office in 2017, James Comer has voted three times to repeal the Affordable Care Act and voted against the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to lower premiums and allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. Comer is also a member of the Republican Study Committee, which recently released a budget outlining plans to raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67 and convert the program to a “premium support” system where seniors received a subsidy they could use on private plans competing against traditional Medicare.

Watch the Full Event Here. 

Washington DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Lauren Underwood (IL-14) joined Sarah Coombs from the National Partnership for Women and Families and Protect Our Care for a press event to discuss how the Congressional end-of-year package provides a critical opportunity to improve coverage for children, moms, and everyone on Medicaid. Speakers discussed the importance of expanding postpartum coverage, requiring 12 months of “continuous coverage” for children, permanently reauthorizing CHIP funding, passing the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021, and strengthening Medicaid coverage in Puerto Rico. Protect Our Care’s end-of-year agenda can be found here. 

“Now that the election is behind us, it is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work on passing these important priorities,” said U.S. Representative Robin Kelly. “In the end of the year package, I am committed to working with my Senate and House colleagues on both sides of the aisle to permanently extend Medicaid postpartum coverage in all states. More than half of maternal deaths occur between one week and one year after giving birth. Congress should require a full year of postpartum coverage for all states. In less than five years, the state plan option will sunset, leaving new mothers vulnerable once again. This provision, along with other important Medicaid policies under consideration, such as requiring 12 months of continuous coverage for children and permanently authorizing CHIP funding, would improve the lives of women, families and children. Let us get this done.” 

“I’m calling on Congress to pass my Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act without delay,” said U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood. “The facts are alarming: Our nation has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country, and more than 80 percent of these deaths are preventable. The Momnibus is the solution to this crisis, and every day that goes by without its passage is a disservice to millions of mothers and families — we can and we must pass this legislation before the end of the year.” 

“No matter the final outcome of the House, Congress has too much unfinished business to kick the can on critical policies that would help minimize health coverage disruptions, mitigate the maternal and infant mortality crisis, and protect the economic security of women and families. Congress must act now,” said Sarah Coombs with the National Partnership for Women & Families.

“The American people have made clear that expanding access to affordable health care is a top priority, and Congress should act to finish the year strong and strengthen Medicaid coverage for millions,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Medicaid is a lifeline for families across the nation, and research shows that policies to improve Medicaid coverage have far-reaching benefits for the health and well-being of communities. These steps to invest in maternal health, protect children’s coverage, and strengthen Medicaid in Puerto Rico will prevent widespread coverage loss, support rural hospitals, improve health outcomes, advance equity, and save lives.” 

Washington DC – According to the non-partisan Wesleyan Media Project, in the last two weeks of October, 30 percent of ads focused on health care for Democratic Senate candidates — more than any other issue. Earlier in October, more than 35 percent of Democratic Senate ads focused on health care. Similarly, in races for the U.S. House, four out of ten pro-Democratic ads in the last two weeks of October talked about health care, and 25 percent mentioned health care earlier in October. Combined, health care and prescription drugs top the list of issues in Democratic House campaign ads in the final weeks of the election cycle.

Polling has shown that health care was the most popular provision in the Inflation Reduction Act and the most important policy achievement of the Democratic Congress. It was also a key part of President Biden’s campaign messaging. 

Health was once again decisive in Democratic victories and Republican defeats. In 2018, it was the Republican plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act and end protections for pre-existing conditions. In 2020, it was Republicans’ abject failure in protecting America from COVID. In 2022, it was Republicans raising health care costs; both House and Senate Republican candidates ran on hiking insurance premiums and drug prices by promising to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act.

Throughout the campaign, Democrats showed how they’re delivering lower health insurance costs and lower prescription drug prices. Meanwhile, Republicans virtually ignored pocketbook issues like health care and prescription drugs in their advertising. The contrast was even more stark in the final week. According to an analysis of ads by the Winning Jobs Narrative Project, Democrats aired 200,000 more spots on pocketbook issues than Republicans. In GOP ads, “Republicans barely mentioned pocketbook issues like jobs, health care, social security and prescription drugs.” 

“Health care wins elections for Democrats and loses elections for Republicans. No matter whether you are a Democrat, independent or Republican voter, you care about health care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Health care is the GOP’s achilles heel. In election after election, Republicans have been on the side of making health care and drugs more expensive and each time, they have paid the price.” 

SENATE 2022

The historical average since 1934 was for Democrats to lose four seats in the Senate. This year, they will hold or expand the majority. Per the Wesleyan Media Project, “in the last two weeks [of October], nearly a third (30 percent) of ads by or on behalf of Democratic Senate candidates have talked about health care.” Earlier in October, more than 35 percent of Democratic ads focused on health care. 

HOUSE 2022

The historical average since 1934 was for Democrats to lose 28 seats in the House, and more recent midterm trends suggest that they should have lost even more: Democrats lost 63 seats in 2010 and Republicans lost 40 seats in 2018. According to Wesleyan, “in races for the U.S. House, four out of ten pro-Democratic ads in the last two weeks [of October] have mentioned abortion while a similar number have mentioned health care. Nearly a quarter have mentioned prescription drugs.” Combined, health care and prescription drugs top the list of issues in Democratic House campaign ads throughout October.

South Dakota Becomes the Seventh State to Expand Medicaid via Ballot Initiative 

Washington DC — Yesterday, South Dakota residents voted to expand Medicaid to more than 40,000 people across the state. The vote comes after years of Republican leaders working to block Medicaid expansion in South Dakota — despite overwhelming research that expansion improves health outcomes, reduces disparities in health care, boosts state economies, and saves lives. Before yesterday, South Dakota was just one of 12 states that have refused Medicaid expansion. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“The outcome of South Dakota’s ballot initiative is not only a victory for Democrats, who have long championed Medicaid expansion, but it is a win for the 40,000 individuals and their families who will now have access to lifesaving care. For too long, Republican leaders in South Dakota have played politics with people’s lives and left families without options for affordable health coverage. This vote is especially important for South Dakotans of color, indigenous communities, and folks living in rural areas, who face extreme barriers to accessing care and suffer worse health outcomes. Medicaid expansion will keep rural hospitals open, create jobs, and improve financial security for families. Time and again, when this issue is brought to the ballot box, voters choose to lower costs and improve care for their neighbors.”

Care Force One Traveled Across 20 States, Made Over 40 Stops and Covered More Than 12,000 Miles in Five Weeks

Over the last five weeks, Protect Our Care’s Care Force One 12,000 mile tour made over 40 stops across 20 states to celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to drive down health care costs and to let Americans know how and when they can access these new benefits. Read more about The Inflation Reduction Act’s health care provisions here.

Protect Our Care was joined by 8 Senators, 23 Representatives, 2 Governors, 4 Attorney Generals and Lt. Governors, 25 local officials, and dozens of health care advocates. Headliners of the events included, Governor Ned Lamont (D-CT), Governor Tony Evers (D-WI), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN), Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Rep. Kathy Castor, Rep. Dina Titus, Rep. Joyce Beatty, Rep. Matt  Cartwright, Rep. Annie Kuster, Rep. Mark Pocan, Rep. Alma Adams, Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. Tom O’Halleran, Rep. Darren Soto, Rep. Susan Wild,  Rep. Angie Craig, Rep. Sharice Davids, Rep. Andy Kim, Rep. Susie Lee, Rep. Lucy McBath, Rep. Chris Pappas, Rep. Dean Phillips, Rep. Sanford Bishop, Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux, Rep. Kathy Manning, Rep. Deborah Ross, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, and Rep. Shontel Brown.

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Here

 

BANGOR, ME:
October 3, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by Attorney General Aaron Frey, Ann Woloson from Consumers for Affordable Health Care, Marie Follayttar Smith from Mainers for Accountable Leadership, and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate, for a press conference at Pierce Park. 

Coverage

• WFVX: “Lower Cost Better Care” Bus Tour Kicks off in Bangor
• WABI: Protect Our Care Bus Makes Its First Stop In Bangor 
• WVII (Video): Affordable Health Care Bus Tour

Watch the event here.

PORTSMOUTH, NH
October 3, 2022 – At Prescott Park, Protect Our Care held a press conference with the U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01), Zandra Rice Hawkins from Granite State Progress, Nancy Glynn from MomsRising, Joan Jacobs, breast cancer patient & senior on Medicare, Health care advocate Ansley Womble, Protect Our Care NH State Director Jayme Simões, and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate.

Coverage

• Portsmouth Herald: Inflation Reduction Act will help lower cost of health care for thousands in NH

Watch the event here.

CONCORD, NH
October 4, 2022 – At New Hampshire State House, Protect Our Care held a press conference with U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH-02), Hanan Babikir Bedri from NH Public Health Association, Gail Brown from NH Oral Health Coalition, Zandra Rice Hawkins from Granite State Progress, Lyn Lindpaintner from Kent Street, Lisa Beaudoin from ABLE NH, Nancy Glynn from MomsRising, and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate.

Coverage

• WMUR: Kuster, Burns Share Competing Ideas on Cutting Costs of Prescription Drugs
• Concord Monitor: Bus Tour Touting Health Care Laws Hits Concord 

Watch the event here.

HARTFORD, CT
October 4, 2022 – At the Connecticut State House, Protect Our Care was joined by Governor Ned Lamont (D-CT), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ayesha R. Clarke from Health Equity Solutions, Deby Gould, a Connecticut health insurance broker, and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and activist, for a press conference.

Coverage

• CT News Junkie: Lamont, Advocates Highlight Federal Premium Subsidies With The Cost of Care Rising

Watch the event here. 

SCRANTON, PA
October 5, 2022 – Protect Our Care held a press conference with Senator Bob Casey, Representative Matt Cartwright (D-08), Robin Stelly for Pennsylvania Health Access Network, and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and activist.

Coverage

• WBRE: ‘Care Force One’ Stops in Scranton With Cartwright and Casey in Tow
• WOLF (Video): Sen. Casey, Rep. Cartwright Join Care Force One in Scranton to Talk Lower Drug Costs
• WYOU (Video): Sen. Casey, Rep. Cartwright Join POC Bus Tour in Scranton
• WBRE (Video): Sen. Casey, Rep. Cartwright Join POC Bus Tour in Scranton
• WYOU-TV (CBS): Senator Casey and Representative Cartwright Sen. Casey, Rep. Cartwright speak on inflation reduction act 
• WYOU-TV (CBS): Sen. Casey, Rep. Cartwright Join POC Bus Tour in Scranton
• WBRE-TV (NBC): Senator Casey and Representative Cartwright Join Protect Our Care Bus in Scranton 
• WBRE-TV (NBC): Sen. Casey and Rep. Cartwright Join Protect Our Care’s Lower Premiums, Better Health Care Bus Tour 
• Fox 56: Senator Casey and Representative Cartwright Highlight Inflation Reduction Act

Watch the event here.

PHILADELPHIA, PA
October 5, 2022 – Protect Our Care held a press conference with Councilmember Helen Gym and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and activist.

Coverage

• WPVI (Video): Councilmember Helen Gym and Advocates Tout Inflation Reduction Act in Philadelphia

Watch the event here.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ
October 6, 2022 – Protect Our Care held a press conference with U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-06), Laura Waddell for New Jersey Citizen Action, and New Brunswick Mayor James M. Cahill.

Coverage

• News 12 New Jersey: Protect Our Care Nationwide Bus Tour in New Brunswick, Middlesex County
• NJ Spotlight News: Advocates Celebrate Lowering of Health Care Costs

MARLTON, NJ
October 6, 2022 – Protect Our Care held a press conference with Congressman Andy Kim (D-03), Laura Waddell for NJ Citizen Action, Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel, Willingboro Senior Center Director Reva Foster, and Myra Hirschhorn. 

PITTSBURGH, PA
October 7, 2022 – At the Pittsburgh City County Building, Protect Our Care held a press conference with State Rep. Dan Frankel, Laura Packard, cancer survivor and activist, and Erin Gabriel.

MORGANTOWN, WV
October 7, 2022 – At Mylan Park, Protect Our Care held a press conference with Michael Garcia, Regional Representative for Senator Manchin, Dr. Jessica Ice for WVAHC, Delegate Barbara Fleischauer, Delegate John Williams, Delegate Danielle Walker, Delegate Evan Hansen, Laura Packard, Mindy Salango, and Lynette Maselli for Protect Our Care WV.

COLUMBUS, OH:
October 10, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by Franklin County Commissioner Erica Crawley, Desiree Tims, President & CEO of Innovation Ohio, Norm Wernet, the Ohio President of the Alliance for Retired Americans, and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate, for a press conference outside of Columbus City Hall.

Watch the event here.

CLEVELAND, OH:
October 10, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), Steve Lieber, a Cleveland senior, former organized labor leader and retiree, and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate, for a press conference at Willard Park.

Watch the event here.

FLINT, MI:
October 11, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by Michigan Rep. John Cherry, Linda Hamacher, Genesee County senior citizen and President Emeritus of the Genesee Health Plan, Dr. Lawrence Reynolds, interim President/CEO of the Greater Flint Health Coalition, and Laura Packard, health care advocate, stage 4 cancer survivor, for a press conference at Flint Farmers’ Market

Coverage

• WJRT (ABC): Protect Our Care Bus Tour Stops in Flint
• Michigan Radio: Activists try to make health care coverage an issue in November election

Watch the event here.

LANSING, MI:
October 11, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Dr. Farhan Bhatti, CEO and Medical Director of Care Free Medical, Eric Schneidewind, Delta Township resident and senior on Medicare, and Laura Packard, health care advocate, stage 4 cancer survivor, for a press conference at Michigan State Capitol. 

Coverage

• WILX (NBC): Protect Our Care Bus Tour Stops in Lansing
• WLAJ (ABC): Speakers Tout IRA Benefits at Protect Our Care Bus Tour
• WLNS (CBS): Speakers Tout IRA Benefits at Protect Our Care Bus Tour
• WLNS (CBS): Biden tours to promote Inflation Reduction Act

Watch the event here.

MILWAUKEE, WI:
October 12, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Milwaukee area resident David Marstellar, a senior on Medicare, and Laura Packard, health care advocate, stage 4 cancer survivor, for a press conference.

Coverage

• WisPolitics: Protect our Care: Lt. Gov. Barnes, A.G. Kaul, Sen. Baldwin headline “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour stop in Milwaukee
• UpNorthNews: HEALTHCARE: Statewide Democrats Show Support For ‘Lower Costs, Better Care’

Watch the event here.

GREEN BAY, WI:
October 12, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, Dr. Kristin Lyerly, MD/MPH, Vik V., NE Wisconsin Resident, and Laura Packard, health care advocate, stage 4 cancer survivor, for a press conference.

Coverage

• WisPolitics: Governor Tony Evers headlines “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour stop in Green Bay
• Wisconsin Examiner: Wisconsin women’s health is threatened like never before

Watch the event here.

EAU CLAIRE, WI:
October 13, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by State Senator Brad Pfaff, State Representative Sara Rodriguez,  local educator Julia B., and Laura Packard, health care advocate, stage 4 cancer survivor for a press conference.

Coverage

• WEAU (NBC): Health Care Bus Tour Hits Eau Claire 
• WQOW: Pfaff Accuses Van Orden of Lying
• UpNorthNews (Radio): Lower Costs, Better Care Bus Tour

Watch the event here.

ST. PAUL, MN:

October 13, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by Senator Tina Smith, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, MNsure CEO Nate Clark, Ken McInnis, a senior who will save on prescription drug costs for a press conference at Minnesota State Capitol.

Coverage

• KSTP (ABC): Inflation Reduction Act and Health Care
• WCCO Talk Radio: Nationwide Bus Tour Swings Through Twin Cities
• WCCO Talk Radio: Local Health Care Leaders and Politicians Celebrate Inflation Reduction Act
• KTOE/Minnesota News Network: DFLers Tout Inflation Reduction Act at Protect Our Care Bus Tour Stop
• Minnesota Reformer: Inflation Reduction Act lives up to its name when it comes to prescription medicine

Watch the event here.

DES MOINES, IA:
October 14, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by Iowa Rep. Bruce Hunter, Laura Packard, Health Care Voter and Patient Advocate, Sue Dinsdale, Executive Director, Iowa Citizen Action Network, and Matt Sinovic, Executive Director, Progress Iowa, for a press conference at Iowa State Capitol.

Coverage

• WHO-DM-TV (NBC): Protect Our Care Bus Tour Stops in Des Moines to Promote Lower Health Care Costs
• WHO 13 (NBC) News at Noon: Protect Our Care Bus Tour Stops in Des Moines to Promote Lower Health Care Costs
• WHO 13 (NBC) News at 4: Iowans Join Protect Our Care Bus Tour to Discuss Historic Health Care Legislation
• KCAU-TV (ABC): Advocates Promote Lower Drug Costs for Seniors in Des Moines
• KDSM-TV (FOX): Protect Our Care Bus Tour Promotes Lower Drug Costs in Des Moines

Watch the event here.

KANSAS CITY, KS:
October 14, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by U.S. Representative Sharice Davis (D-KS-03), Sharon Trapp Hendrix, KS Alliance for Retired Americans’ Donna Lehane, and Little Lobbyists’ Becki Uccello for a press conference at Rosedale Park. 

Coverage

• Kansas Reflector: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz slams Democrats, touts Adkins and promises big GOP wins in November

Watch the event here.

RENO, NV:
October 17, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by Oscar Delgado, CEO of Community Health Alliance Katie Charlson, Nevada Health Link, and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate, for a press conference at Community Health Alliance’s Sparks Health Center. 

Coverage

• KOLO (ABC): Healthcare officials and advocates speak on inflation reduction act 
• KOLO (ABC): Healthcare officials and advocates celebrate lower premiums and prescription drug costs
• KOLO (ABC): Protect Our Care Nationwide Bus Tour in Reno, Nevada
• KOLO (ABC): Healthcare Officials and Advocates Join Protect Our Care’s Lower Premiums, Better Health Care Bus Tour 
• KTVN-TV (Channel 2): Health Care Officials, Advocates Headline “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour Stop in Reno

Watch the event here.

LAS VEGAS, NV:
October 18, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV-03), Michelle Maese, President of SEIU Local 1107, Yarleny Roa-Dugan, Labor and Delivery Nurse, Steven Horner, Health Care Advocate, Erin Wicker Campbell, Health Care Advocate, and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate, for a press conference at SEIU Local 110. 

Coverage

• KTNV-LV (ABC): Protect Our Care Bus Tour to Stop in Las Vegas Today
• KLAS-LV (CBS): Sen. Rosen and Rep. Lee Promote Health Care Legislation at POC Bus Event in Vegas
• KLAS-LV (CBS): Sen. Rosen and Rep. Lee Talk Improving Access to Health Care at POC Bus Event in Las Vegas
• KNPR (Radio): Protect Our Care Bus Tour Stops in Las Vegas to Celebrate Lowering of Health Care Costs 
• KNPR (Radio): Protect Our Care Nationwide Bus Tour in Las Vegas, Nevada
• KNPR (Vegas): Tour to celebrate federal action on health care costs stops in Las Vegas

Watch the event here.

FLAGSTAFF, AZ:
October 18, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D-NV-01), Rep. Elect Mae Peshlakai (D-NV-06), and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate, for a press conference at North Country Community Health Center.

Coverage

• KAFF: Facebook Livestream of Flagstaff Bus Tour Event

Watch the event here.

PHOENIX, AZ:
October 19, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-07), Jevin Hodge, Carmen Heredia CEO for Valle del Sol Health Center, Dr. Karupanna, and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate, for a press conference at Central Phoenix Valle del Sol Community Health Center.

Watch the event here.

TUCSON, AZ:
October 19, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by Former Arizona State Senator Kirsten Engel, Melissa Garcia, Chief External Affairs Officer for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, Carol Brown, healthcare advocate, and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate, for a press conference at Planned Parenthood Southern Arizona Regional Health Center.

Watch the event here.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM:
October 20, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Barbara Webber, Executive Director of Health Action New Mexico, Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate for a press conference at Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza.

Watch the event here.

DENVER, CO:
October 21, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), State Senator Julie Gonzales (D-CO), Mannat Singh, Executive Director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate, for a press conference at The Colorado State Capitol Building.

Watch the event here.

LAKEWOOD, CO:
October 21, 2022 – Protect Our Care was joined by State Sen. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-22), State Rep. Monica Duran (D-CO-24), Kyle Piccola, Healthier Colorado, Gail deVore, patient advocate, and Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate, for a press conference at Carmody Recreation Center.

Watch the event here.

GREENSBORO, NC
October 24, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congresswoman Kathy Manning, State Senator Gladys Robinson, and Health Care Advocates at Center City Park in downtown Greensboro to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Coverage:

• ABC 45 (Greensboro): Rep. Kathy Manning highlights importance of Inflation Reduction Act
• WGHP-TV (FOX): Rep. Kathy Manning Celebrates the Inflation Reduction Act

Watch the event here.

CHARLOTTE, NC

October 25, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congresswoman Alma Adams, State Senator Jeff Jackson, and Health Care Advocates in Charlotte, NC to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Watch the event here.

DULUTH, GA
October 26, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux, HHS Regional Director Antrell Tyson, Local Doctors and Patient Advocates in Duluth, GA to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

Watch the event here.

COLUMBUS, GA
October 26, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congressman Sanford Bishop and Patient Advocates in Columbus, GA to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Coverage:

• WTVM (ABC): ‘Protect Our Care’ bus tour makes stop in Columbus
• WTVM (ABC): Protect Our Care Bus Tour in Columbus
• WXTX (Fox): Protect Our Care Bus Tour in Columbus
• WLTZ (NBC): Protect Our Care Bus Tour in Columbus

Watch the event here.

ORLANDO, FL
October 27, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congressman Darren Soto, State Senator Victor Torres, and Health Care Advocates in Orlando, FL to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Watch the event here.

TAMPA, FL
October 27, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Chief Val Demings, Rep. Kathy Castor, Congresswoman Joyce Marie Beatty, and Health Care Advocates in Tampa, FL to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Coverage:

• WFLA-TB (NBC): Protect Our Care Care Force One Tampa Bus Tour Stop (preview clip)
• Great 38 (WTTA): Chief Val Demings, Rep. Kathy Castor to Join Protect Our Care in Tampa (preview clip)
• Florida Playbook: Tampa Bus Tour Stop with Chief Val Demings, Rep. Kathy Castor (preview clip)
• WFLA-TB (NBC): Rep. Val Demings campaigns in Tampa, talks affordable healthcare
• WMRD (Telemundo): Promueven ley de reducción de inflación
• Great 38 (WTTA): Chief Val Demings celebrates lower premiums and prescription drug costs
• WFLA-TV (CBS-Tampa): Rep. Val Demings campaigns in Tampa, talks affordable healthcare

Watch the event here.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
October 28, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by County Commissioner Jared Moskowitz, and Health Care Advocates in Ft. Lauderdale, FL to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Watch the event here.

MADISON, WI
October 31, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Senator Tammy Baldwin, Congressman Mark Pocan, and Health Care Advocates in Madison to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

Coverage:

• Wisconsin Examiner: Lawmakers and government officials highlight open enrollment, encourage people to vote
• WisPolitics: Protect Our Care: Senator Baldwin & Congressman Pocan headline “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour stop in Madison, WI

Watch the event here.

TOLEDO, OH
November 1, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congresswoman Kaptur and Health Care Advocates in Toledo, Ohio to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. The groundbreaking legislation works to reduce racial inequities in health care, improve care for seniors, strengthen families, and save lives. 

Coverage:

• WTVG (Toledo ABC): Kaptur to join Protect Our Care bus tour (preview clip)
• WTVG (Toledo ABC): Rep Kaptur to Join Protect Our Care bus in Toledo (preview clip)
• WNWO (Toledo NBC): Protect Our Care tour stops in Toledo to promote the Inflation Reduction Act
• WNWO (Toledo NBC): Representative Kaptur highlights lower healthcare cost with inflation reduction act 
• WNWO (Toledo NBC): Representative Kaptur Joins Protect Our Care to Discuss Inflation Reduction Act 
• WTOL (Toledo CBS): Coming Up: Protect Our Care Bus Tour 
• WTOL (Toledo CBS): Protect Our Care Bus Tour Stops in Toledo 

Watch the event here.

DETROIT, MI
November 1, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Senator Stabenow and Health Care Advocates in Detroit, MI to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. The groundbreaking legislation works to reduce racial inequities in health care, improve care for seniors, strengthen families, and save lives.

Watch the event here.

PHILADELPHIA, PA
November 2, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Senator Casey and Health Care Advocates in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. The groundbreaking legislation works to reduce racial inequities in health care, improve care for seniors, strengthen families, and save lives.

Coverage:

• WPVI-PHI (ABC): Protect Our Care Bus Tour in Philadelphia 

Watch the event here.

ALLENTOWN, PA
November 2, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Rep. Susan Wild and Health Care Advocates in Allentown, Pennsylvania to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. The groundbreaking legislation works to reduce racial inequities in health care, improve care for seniors, strengthen families, and save lives.

Coverage:

• Lehigh Valley Live: What you need to know about Tuesday’s Susan Wild-Lisa Scheller rematch 

Watch the event here.

RALEIGH, NC

November 3, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congresswoman Deborah Ross, State Senator Jay Chaudhuri, State Rep. Rosa Gill, and Health Care Advocates in Raleigh to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Watch the event here.

ATLANTA, GA

November 4, 2022 – Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Rep. Lucy McBath, State Sen. Michelle Au, MD, and Health Care Advocates in Raleigh to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

Watch the event here.

Washington DC — Tomorrow, as voters head to the polls, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral arguments in a case that could have disastrous impacts for the nearly 80 million Americans who receive their health care through Medicaid. Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County v. Talevski, potentially “one of the most consequential health care cases in [the Supreme Court’s] history,” concerns whether individuals have the right to enforce provisions of the Medicaid law in court. If the Court rules against an individual’s right to sue, it would be reversing decades of precedent and put patients in danger of losing critical health care coverage. An adverse ruling in this case could also implicate the rights of beneficiaries across a broad range of state-administered public programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, child welfare, and federal public housing benefits. In response, Protect Our Care’s Policy and Health Equity Senior Advisor Anne Morris Reid issued the following statement:

“A negative ruling in this case would have devastating impacts for the tens of millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid for their health coverage – with particularly severe consequences for the pregnant women, children, people of color, people with disabilities and other low-income Americans this program serves. The defendants in this case are asking the Supreme Court to strip patients of their rights to seek targeted and rapid relief when they lose or are denied health coverage. If the case is successful, it will make it easier for Republicans to undermine and play politics with Medicaid. The Supreme Court must not overturn a half century of precedent and take away the most powerful tools beneficiaries have to hold state officials or health providers accountable.”

Background 

Who is the Plaintiff? Susie Talevski is a resident of Valparaiso, Indiana, and the daughter of a man who died in a nursing home facility. Gorgi Talevski, Susie’s father, resided in a nursing home 24/7 where he was supposed to receive care for his dementia. According to the family, he was chronically overmedicated in order to keep him asleep, his dementia wasn’t properly managed, and he was transferred to multiple different facilities hours from his family without his or the family’s consent. Susie brought a lawsuit against the defendants in 2019.

Who Are the Defendants? The Health and Hospital Corporation (HHC) of Marion County, jointly run by local government officials in Indiana and a private corporation that manages nursing homes within the state, is currently being accused of violating several provisions of federal law governing nursing homes. One of these provisions allegedly violated by the HHC is a prohibition on chemically restraining patients against their will either for convenience or disciplinary purposes. 

What Are the Defendants Calling For? The defendants are not arguing whether or not there was wrongdoing in Mr. Talevski’s care but instead have taken an aggressive stance in this case, calling on the Supreme Court to fundamentally change the policies dictating Medicaid enforcement nationally. Throughout the process of this lawsuit, the HHC has claimed that Susie Talevski has no right to sue and has worked to get the case dismissed. Federal courts have sided with Talevski in every single case, forcing the HHC to bring this lawsuit all the way up to the Supreme Court.

What is at Risk? The Supreme Court is now presiding over the most consequential dual civil rights and Medicaid enforcement case ever. If they side with the defendants, this would establish a precedent making Medicaid requirements practically unenforceable. The federal government has limited authorities to enforce the rights of beneficiaries, with its primary enforcement method, withholding funding from non-compliant states, more likely to hurt beneficiaries than the states themselves. Due to this, Medicaid programs rely on private suits as its primary method of beneficiary protection. Additionally, stripping away a private citizen’s right to the courts when their rights have been violated is a critical part of the Civil Rights Act of 1871 and a decision siding with the HHC would effectively see the courts rewriting over 150 years of settled legal precedent on the nature of fundamental rights guaranteed to all Americans.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Sen. Bob Casey, Rep. Susan Wild, Rep. Deborah Ross, Rep. Mark Pocan, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, State Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, State Rep. Rosa Gill Headlined “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour Events

On the fifth week and final week of Protect Our Care’s 12,000-mile “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, “Care Force One” made stops in six states to celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to drive down health care costs and to let Americans know how and when they can access these new benefits. During each stop, national and local elected officials, health care advocates and storytellers discussed how the bill could save families thousands of dollars a year on health care. The groundbreaking legislation works to reduce racial inequities in health care, improve care for seniors, strengthen families, and save lives.

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Here

MADISON, WI

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Senator Tammy Baldwin, Congressman Mark Pocan, and Health Care Advocates in Madison to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

Coverage:

• Wisconsin Examiner: Lawmakers and government officials highlight open enrollment, encourage people to vote
• WisPolitics: Protect Our Care: Senator Baldwin & Congressman Pocan headline “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour stop in Madison, WI

Watch the event here.

TOLEDO, OH

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congresswoman Kaptur and Health Care Advocates in Toledo, Ohio to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. The groundbreaking legislation works to reduce racial inequities in health care, improve care for seniors, strengthen families, and save lives. 

Coverage:

• WTVG (Toledo ABC): Kaptur to join Protect Our Care bus tour (preview clip)
• WTVG (Toledo ABC): Rep Kaptur to Join Protect Our Care bus in Toledo (preview clip)
• WNWO (Toledo NBC): Protect Our Care tour stops in Toledo to promote the Inflation Reduction Act
• WNWO (Toledo NBC): Representative Kaptur highlights lower healthcare cost with inflation reduction act 
• WNWO (Toledo NBC): Representative Kaptur Joins Protect Our Care to Discuss Inflation Reduction Act 
• WTOL (Toledo CBS): Coming Up: Protect Our Care Bus Tour 
• WTOL (Toledo CBS): Protect Our Care Bus Tour Stops in Toledo 

Watch the event here.

DETROIT, MI

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Senator Stabenow and Health Care Advocates in Detroit, MI to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. The groundbreaking legislation works to reduce racial inequities in health care, improve care for seniors, strengthen families, and save lives.

Watch the event here.

PHILADELPHIA, PA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Senator Casey and Health Care Advocates in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. The groundbreaking legislation works to reduce racial inequities in health care, improve care for seniors, strengthen families, and save lives.

Coverage:

• WPVI-PHI (ABC): Protect Our Care Bus Tour in Philadelphia 

Watch the event here.

ALLENTOWN, PA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Rep. Susan Wild and Health Care Advocates in Allentown, Pennsylvania to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. The groundbreaking legislation works to reduce racial inequities in health care, improve care for seniors, strengthen families, and save lives.

Watch the event here.

RALEIGH, NC

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Congresswoman Deborah Ross, State Senator Jay Chaudhuri, State Rep. Rosa Gill, and Health Care Advocates in Raleigh to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. 

Watch the event here.

ATLANTA, GA

Protect Our Care’s Care Force One was joined by Rep. Lucy McBath, State Sen. Michelle Au, MD, and Health Care Advocates in Raleigh to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures will lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans.

Watch the event here.

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022 at 11 AM***

Care Force One Rolls into Johns Creek, GA as Part of Nationwide “Lower Cost, Better Care” Tour

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Live Here.

Atlanta, GA — On Friday, November 4th, at 11:00 AM, Representative Lucy McBath will join HHS Regional Director Antrell Tyson, and Medicare beneficiary Sara Cherry as part of Protect Our Care’s nationwide bus tour to celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to drive down health care costs for millions of working families and seniors. At today’s event, speakers will discuss how the bill gives Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, caps out of pocket costs for insulin and lowers other prescription drug prices for seniors. The event will take place in front of Care Force One at Newtown Park on Friday, November 4th at 11 AM. 

The “Lower Costs, Better Care” five-week tour will thank lawmakers who fought tirelessly to pass this historic bill and call out Republicans in Congress for rejecting measures to lower costs for millions of working families and seniors and addressing deep inequities in our health care system. Lawmakers have long worked to lower health costs and rein in high drug prices — but President Biden and Democrats in Congress actually got the job done— with help on the way in just a matter of months. Read more about the Inflation Reduction Act’s health care provisions here.

WHO:
Representative Lucy McBath (GA-7)
Antrell Tyson, HHS Regional Director, Region 4
State Senator Dr. Michelle Au
Sara Cherry, Medicare beneficiary with diabetes

WHERE: Care Force One, Newtown Park – 3150 Old Alabama Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30022

WHEN: Friday, November 4, 2022 at 11 AM ET