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Anne Morris Reid Joins Protect Our Care as Senior Advisor on Health Equity and Policy

Mother and Child Meet with Doctor

Anne Morris Reid Previously Served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, Chief of Staff to Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Counselor to then-HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell 

Washington, DC — Anne Morris Reid is joining Protect Our Care on July 1 as senior advisor on health equity and policy. Her expertise in public health, and management and policy experience from her prior service in the House and Senate and at HHS, will further Protect Our Care’s mission to ensure health care is a right for every American and not a privilege. Read Anne’s full biography here. 

Protect Our Care (POC) is expanding its ongoing work on health equity to address the deep racial/ethnic and other inequities in accessing high-quality, affordable health care across the United States. POC is also deepening its work on HHS administrative actions. POC works on the federal and state level to advocate for policies that increase coverage, lower the cost of insurance premiums and prescription drug prices, and improve maternal health care. 

“Anne is a leading voice in the fight for affordable health care and health equity, and she will bring a vast range of experiences to this role,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Between her work in the Department of Health and Human Services in both the Obama-Biden and Biden-Harris Administrations, her leadership role for Senator Warren, and her expertise in public health, Anne knows how to make a difference and understands the barriers communities of color are facing to accessing the health care they need. We are honored to have Anne join Protect Our Care and play a key leadership role to make deep and lasting change in American health care.” 

“The pandemic laid to bare alarming disparities in our health system, from maternal mortality to addiction and overdose,” said Anne Morris Reid. “We cannot continue in a system where the color of your skin, who you love, or where you live determines whether or not you can get the care you need. I am thrilled to join the Protect Our Care team and hit the ground running to help make affordable and accessible health coverage — including reproductive care — a reality for more Americans.”

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In News

ICYMI: Protect Our Care’s Liz Ernst Joins Senator Warnock in Aging Committee Hearing to Call for Lower Drug Costs Now

Watch Liz Ernst’s Full Testimony Here

On Friday, U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) held a field hearing for the Senate Aging Committee in Georgia on his push to lower prescription drug prices. Skyrocketing drug costs are forcing Georgians and families across the country to forgo basic necessities like groceries or gas in order to access the medications they need to survive. During the hearing, Senator Warnock and speakers called on the Senate to pass critical provisions to lower drug prices for the American people, including limiting insulin costs to $35 per month, capping insulin costs for seniors, and giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. Director of Protect Our Care Georgia, Elizabeth Ernst, shared the story of a Georgia woman who developed anxiety and depression from having to ration her insulin supply due to the increasing price, making clear that lack of access to prescription drugs is costing people more than just their money. The hearing made clear that lawmakers must act now to ensure Americans can afford the prescription drugs  they need.

Coverage

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Warnock Focuses Senate Hearing on Curbing Drug Prices. “Elizabeth Ernst, the director of the Protect Our Care Georgia advocacy group, spoke of a woman who rationed drug medication who developed depression and anxiety… To get the mental health treatment she needs costs even more money. The cycle of violence continues all because she couldn’t get her insulin medication. It’s a domino effect.” [The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/1/22]

CBS (Atlanta): Sen. Warnock Chairs Congressional Hearing in Georgia on Lowering Prescription Drug Costs. “Drug makers exploit our broken healthcare system by hiking the prices of lifesaving medications in order to make record-breaking profits,” said Elizabeth Ernst, the state director of Protect our Care Georgia.” [CBS (Atlanta), 7/1/22]

Georgia Recorder: Warnock Pushes Caps on Prescription Costs, Negotiated Medicare Drug Prices. “Liz Ernst, state director for the Georgia chapter of the left-leaning health care advocacy group Protect Our Care, said that the story is sadly all too familiar…  ‘Every day, drugmakers exploit our broken health care system by hiking the prices of life saving medicines in order to make record breaking profits,” she said. “Between 2019 and 2020, half of all drugs covered by Medicare Part D had price increases equal to or greater than the rate of inflation. A 2020 congressional report traced the steep price hikes of the cancer drug Revlimid to the desire of executives to ‘meet company revenue targets and shareholder earnings goals.’ In Georgia, (Bristol Myers Squibb’s) Revlimid’s price rose 44% from 2015 to 2020.” [Georgia Recorder, 7/2//22]

Tweets

Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA): “I’m proud to chair this hearing and lead the fight in lowering costs for seniors. We’re looking for real solutions like my Capping Drug Costs for Seniors Act— to shift more of the cost burden on drug manufacturers — saving taxpayer dollars.” [@SenatorWarnock, 7/1/22]

Protect Our Care: “Americans are sick and tired of paying three times the amount that people in other countries pay for the same drugs. Families can no longer afford to wait. The time for fair, affordable drug prices is now.” [@ProtectOurCare, 7/1/22]

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In News

HEADLINES: A “Looming Disaster” on Health Care Premium Hikes

Millions of Americans Could Pay More for Their Health Premiums if Congress Fails to Extend the American Rescue Plan Tax Credits

As the health care savings under the American Rescue Plan are set to expire, millions of Americans are facing dramatic increases in their 2023 health insurance premiums. Just this week, 14 Democratic governors from across the nation wrote a letter to congressional leadership urging them to extend the premium tax credits now. Failure to extend the tax credits means nine million Americans would pay more for their health care at a time families are already concerned about keeping up with rising costs — and as many as three million Americans could lose coverage altogether. Recent coverage and opinion pieces underscore the importance of preventing this health care “disaster” and ensuring families can continue to afford the health care they need. 

CNBC: Health Insurance Premiums Poised To Jump Next Year For 13 Million People Unless Congress Extends Expanded Subsidies For Marketplace Coverage. “Unless Congress takes action, enhanced premium subsidies — technically, tax credits — that have been in place for 2021 and 2022 will disappear after this year. The change would affect 13 million of the 14.5 million people who get their health insurance through the federal exchange or their state’s marketplace.” [CNBC, 6/27/22]

The Hill: Democratic Governors Urge Congress To Avert ‘Disastrous’ Obamacare Premium Hike. “If the enhanced subsidies expire, it would return the Affordable Care Act to its pre-2021 levels of financial assistance. But the premium increases would be substantial, with an average increase of about 53 percent affecting roughly 13 million people, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.” [The Hill, 6/29/22]

Los Angeles Times: Californians Brace For Increased Healthcare Premiums If Federal Subsidies Expire. “Federal subsidies passed as part of a temporary pandemic relief package have drastically cut how much he pays in healthcare premiums, allowing the Sacramento-area small-business owner to purchase an insurance plan during the last two years that provided better coverage for his shoulder and knee replacements. Those federal subsidies, however, will expire at the end of this year if Congress does not extend the program. [Syd Winlock’s] ‘very manageable’ price — about $700 a month for him and his wife — will increase to $2,300.” [6/20/22]

Washington Post (Opinion): The Looming Disaster On Obamacare Subsidies Keeps Looking Worse. “When the enhancements expire, many of those millions will see those premiums spike by hundreds of dollars on average, and 3 million could lose coverage entirely. This is important as a political matter because even if the enhanced subsidies don’t expire until the end of the year, some time before then — probably in October, right before the election — insurers will begin notifying people of newly increased premiums. Imagine a wave of local news stories with shots of struggling parents gazing with consternation at those letters.” [Washington Post, 6/29/22]

Bloomberg (Editorial): A Health-Care Cliff Could Leave Millions Uninsured. “Last year’s $1.9 trillion Covid relief package also increased and expanded premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act insurance. As a result, signups rose to a record 14.5 million in 2022 and premium payments halved for millions of enrollees…The enhanced premium subsidies will expire by year-end, though insurers are already submitting their 2023 plans to state regulators.” [6/30/22]

Reports & Research

Kaiser Family Foundation: How ACA Premiums Would Change For People Losing Rescue Plan Subsidies. “If the ARPA subsidies expire, premium payments will increase across the board for all 13 million subsidized Marketplace enrollees. But the approximately one million people with incomes above four times the poverty level will face a double whammy: Not only will many of them lose subsidies, but they will also have to start paying for any increase in the unsubsidized premium beyond that. The reality is that for many people, such an increase in premium payments would be unaffordable, leading them to drop their health coverage.” [Kaiser Family Foundation, 6/30/22]

Health Affairs: Delays Extending The American Rescue Plan’s Health Insurance Subsidies Will Raise Premiums And Reduce Coverage. “Lower-income consumers with low or zero premiums may experience “rate shock” at premiums returning to pre-ARPA levels. Middle-income consumers who are receiving financial help for the first time under the ARPA will again have no protection against premiums—a particular concern for older enrollees and those in high-price states such as West Virginia and Wyoming. Consumers slated for automatic re-enrollment may opt out, resulting in much lower renewal rates. Consumers may write off the idea of re-enrolling and stop opening Marketplace mail or reading electronic communications — meaning they won’t find out if an extension is later enacted. They may remove the premium from their budget planning for the following year and commit those funds to other purposes. Even consumers who do decide to shop may lose trust in the Marketplace and be less likely to enroll.” [Health Affairs, 6/5/22]

In The States

(WI) Wisconsin Examiner: Tax Credits That Lowered My Family’s Health Care Costs Are At Risk. Yours May Be, Too. “The American Rescue Plan, which passed Congress without a single Republican vote and was signed into law by President Joe Biden, included enhanced premium tax credits for those, like my family, who purchase their health care through the Obamacare marketplace…Now, it’s time to build on that progress once again, by extending the Advanced Premium Tax Credits that were part of the American Rescue Plan.” [Wisconsin Examiner, 6/30/22]

(WI) Up North News: Pandemic Relief Helped Millions Needing Health Insurance. Only Congress Can Ensure Their Coverage Won’t Expire. “We know that when people are as healthy as possible, they thrive. Not only is keeping people healthy the right thing to do morally, but it is also good for our country to have a healthy community living their lives to their fullest potential. We need to make sure the ACA COVID subsidies are extended and keep the path clear for people to have a better future.” [Up North News, 6/14/22]

(WI) Up North News: Wisconsin Republicans Willing To Let Health Insurance Premiums Skyrocket. “Among the provisions in the American Rescue Plan signed into law by President Joe Biden last year were advanced premium tax credits for health insurance plans purchased on the Obamacare exchange. The lower premiums that resulted from the enhanced tax credits led to more than 14.5 million Americans purchasing healthcare on the Obamacare exchange in 2021, a record…With inflation continuing to hit working families hard, only one party is working to ease the burden on pocketbooks by lowering healthcare costs — the Democratic Party.” [Up North News, 6/3/22]

(OH) Toledo Blade: Only Congress Can Stop Skyrocketing Health-Insurance Premiums. “The ARP included life-changing tax credits…All of this progress, however, is hanging in the balance. If Congress does not act, these tax credits will expire at the end of this year, and premiums will suddenly rise for middle class families at the beginning of 2023. Open enrollment for 2023 plans begins on November 1st this year. There isn’t a moment to waste — Congress should act immediately to make the ARP’s tax credits a permanent part of the Affordable Care Act.” [Toledo Blade, 6/29/22]

protectourcare
In News

HEADLINES: Senate Democrats See “Major Progress” on Reconciliation With Agreement to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

Yesterday, The Washington Post reported that Senate Democrats have finalized provisions to lower prescription drug prices. The agreement includes granting Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, capping the out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, and penalizing drug companies that raise prices faster than inflation. Coverage makes it clear that these provisions would reduce prescription drug costs for people all across the country.

News Stories

Washington Post: Democrats Forge Ahead On Drug Pricing. “Democratic leaders have finalized a revised proposal to lower prescription drug prices for seniors…Under the proposal, the drug negotiations are set to begin in 2023…Democrats also have preserved plans to cap seniors’ drug costs under Medicare at $2,000 each year, while penalizing companies that raise prescription prices faster than inflation….For the first time, though, Democrats newly aim to close what they see as a loophole that might have allowed future administrations to refrain from negotiating aggressively…The move is meant to ensure the government still seeks to keep drug prices down even if control of Washington changes…” [Washington Post, 6/30/22]

NBC: Senate Democrats See ‘Major Progress’ On Biden Agenda Bill, Hope For July Vote. “The emerging deal would empower Medicare to directly negotiate prescription drug prices starting next year to lower costs for consumers. It would cap out-of-pocket costs for Medicare patients at $2,000 per year and allow the cap to be broken up into monthly payments. It also would impose a new ‘inflation rebate’ policy forcing drug companies to send money back to consumers if they raise prices above inflation…the deal would add new incentives for drugmakers and insurers to limit drug price hikes, provide free vaccines for seniors, enhance premium and copay assistance for lower-income people and ensure the Department of Health and Human Services always negotiates for the maximum number of eligible drugs. And it would require negotiations to lower prices ‘if a drug company continues to block generic competition,’…Manchin’s office said Wednesday there is consensus and a path forward on drug pricing.” [NBC, 6/29/22]

STAT: Democrats Tweak Their Drug Pricing Plan In Last-Ditch Effort To Pass Reforms. “Negotiations have come a long way…Now, it’s the most solid plank of a potential deal that both Schumer and Manchin agree on. Drug pricing reform is enormously politically popular, and also would save the federal government money….The package would mandate Medicare negotiate drug prices, even if there’s an official in charge of Medicare that doesn’t support negotiation — as would likely be the case under a Republican president.” [STAT, 6/30/22]

The Hill: Senate Democrats Push Revised Drug Pricing Plan As They Prep Larger Biden Economic Package. “Lawmakers have made some revisions to a deal to lower drug prices and plan to submit it to the Senate parliamentarian in the coming days for a review…The move is a sign of Democrats’ preparations for a vote on Biden’s signature domestic policy package, which will have lowering drug prices at the center.” [The Hill, 6/30/22]

Statements

Protect Our Care: “The agreement reached by Senate Democrats to drive down prescription drug prices is a victory for the American people. Allowing Medicare to negotiate, limiting onerous price hikes, and capping seniors’ drug costs are vital to fixing the broken system that all too often forces patients to choose between paying the bills and affording the drugs they need.” [6/30/22]

Patients For Affordable Drugs Now: “For the first time, Medicare will be able to negotiate lower drug prices directly with drug corporations, penalties will be imposed on companies that raise prices faster than the rate of inflation, and there will be an annual out-of-pocket cap for beneficiaries in Medicare Part D. Each of these changes will help bring relief from unrelenting high drug prices in the United States, which run almost four times what other nations pay for the same brand-name drugs. Americans — Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike — overwhelmingly support these reforms…” [6/30/22]

AARP: “This is monumental and years in the making. For far too long, America’s seniors have been paying the highest prices in the world for their medications…Lowering prescription drug prices is the number one health issue Americans want Congress to tackle this year, and with this announcement, they are even closer to making that a reality.” [6/29/22]

Tweets

Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT): “There is no public policy more popular – or more of a clear contrast between Democrats and Republicans – than Medicare drug negotiation.” [@ChrisMurphyCT, 6/29/22]

Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI): “Reducing the cost of medicine would be a huge win for people across the country.” [@BrianSchatz, 6/29/22]

AARP Advocates: “AARP is pleased that the Senate is ready to take action on a reconciliation package that includes allowing Medicare to be able to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs.” [@AARPAdvocates, 6/29/22]

David Mitchell, Patients For Affordable Drugs Founder: “Senate Democrats are moving on comprehensive reform to lower Rx drug prices. The votes are there to pass it under reconciliation. It will help millions of Americans. We have momentum & the overwhelming support of voters. Let’s get it done.” [@DavidP4AD, 6/29/22]

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In News

Senate Takes Important Step Forward to Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Families

Senate Democrats’ Agreement Includes Giving Medicare the Power to Negotiate Drug Prices

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, The Washington Post reported that Senate Democrats have finalized provisions to lower prescription drug prices. The agreement includes giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, capping seniors out-of-pocket drug costs, and penalizing drug companies that raise prices faster than inflation. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:

“The agreement reached by Senate Democrats to drive down prescription drug prices is a victory for the American people. Allowing Medicare to negotiate, limiting onerous price hikes, and capping seniors’ drug costs are vital to fixing the broken system that all too often forces patients to choose between paying the bills and affording the drugs they need. While Republicans stand by Big Pharma and fight to maintain the status quo, Democrats are focused on delivering real relief to patients and reducing their health care costs. The drug pricing deal is a promising first step as the Senate continues to negotiate the rest of the budget reconciliation package, and we continue to advocate strongly for additional health care reforms to deliver lower costs and expanded coverage for families.” 

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In News

Governors Plead for Congressional Action to Prevent Health Premium Hikes

Washington, DC — This week, 14 Democratic governors from across the nation wrote a letter to congressional leadership, urging them to extend the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium tax credits that are set to expire at the end of this year. The governors warned of a “disastrous erosion of health insurance coverage” if Congress fails to take action, noting that more than three million Americans could lose their insurance and costs would go up for millions more. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“These governors are on the ground and recognize the importance of the tax credits to the health and economy of their communities. At a time families are worried about inflation, raising health care costs would be devastating. Insurers are already filing their premium rates for next year, which means it is imperative Congress take swift action to ensure millions of people can continue to afford their health coverage.”

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In News

Protect Our Care Hosts APTC Day of Action Urging Congress to Act Quickly to Stop Health Insurance Premium Increases 

Protect Our Care and Allies Called on Congress to Extend ARP Savings via Press Call, Video, and Social Media

Last week, Protect Our Care partnered with health care activists, advocacy groups, and concerned citizens for an APTC day of action to call on Congress to extend the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium tax credits. Protect Our Care hosted a press call with Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05) and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), engaged social media campaigns, and amplified the stories of Americans who will be impacted if Congress fails to act urgently to keep health care premiums low.

President Biden’s American Rescue Plan saved families thousands on their premiums, driving record enrollment and giving people breathing room to pay for other necessities. But the expanded tax credits that powered those savings are set to expire at the end of the year, and as a result, millions will see dramatic increases in their 2023 health insurance premiums — many will no longer be able to afford insurance at all. Last November, House Democrats ​​passed legislation to prevent premiums from skyrocketing at the end of this year. Now, Senate Democrats must extend the premium tax credits to ensure hardworking families can continue to access the health care they need.

PROTECT OUR CARE ACTIVITIES

Throughout May and June, ​​Protect Our Care held events with Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05) and Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Peter Welch (D-VT-AL), Charlie Crist (D-FL-13), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), state and local officials, allies, and health care storytellers to discuss the urgent need for Congress to extend the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium tax credits and highlight recent efforts to pass legislation to prevent premiums from skyrocketing at the end of this year. Read more about Protect Our Care’s May and June events.

PRESS CALL: Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05) and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) joined Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss the urgent need for Congress to prevent the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium tax credits from expiring. Along with Dr. Jessica Ice, a patient storyteller from West Virginia, speakers laid out the case for why it’s critical to keep premiums low for working families in the face of inflation and rising costs. Listen to the call here.

NEW VIDEO: Protect Our Care released a video, featuring health care storytellers who explained how the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium tax credits changed their lives. The storytellers also discussed the dire consequences if Congress fails to act urgently to keep the tax credits from expiring. Watch the full video here.

PARTNER ACTIVITIES

AARP LETTER: Leading health groups, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and AARP, published a letter calling on Congress to extend the expanded Affordable Care Act health care premium tax credits. If Congress fails to act, enrollees’ premiums will increase by double digit levels, resulting in at least 3 million more uninsured Americans who will be unable to afford the care they need. Read the full letter here.

FAMILIES USA: The Advanced Premium Tax Credits… made health insurance more affordable than ever, helped families, and reduced racial disparities. Congress must act NOW.” #APTCDayOfAction [@FamiliesUSA, 6/23/22]

HHS FACT SHEET: The U.S. Department of Human & Health Services released a fact sheet explaining what will happen if Congress allows the premium tax credits to expire. If Congress does not extend the ARP, HHS analysis projects that: the number of uninsured Americans will increase significantly —nearly 3 million Americans could lose their health insurance entirely. Read the full fact sheet here.

INNOVATION OHIO: Last year, Democrats delivered lower health insurance premiums for people who buy insurance on their own. Congress must act NOW to protect the millions on the verge of losing their coverage if the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium tax credits expire. #APTC #APTCDayOfAction [@innovationohio, 6/23/22]

JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE DEMOCRATS REPORT: The Joint Economic Committee Democrats released a new report that shows how Democrats cut health care costs and expanded access to affordable health insurance. The American Rescue Plan’s expanded tax credits have already helped 5.8 million Americans newly enroll in free or affordable health plans since the start of the Biden Administration. Congress must act now to extend them. Read the full report here.

NBJC: “Health coverage access is imperative to reducing racial disparities in health coverage across the nation. The American Rescue Plan expanded that access – we CANNOT take that away.” [@NBJContheMove, 6/23/22]

WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE: “Millions of Americans are counting on Congress to extend the #AmericanRescuePlan’s enhanced ACA premium tax credits, which made health coverage more accessible & affordable than ever before. Ways & Means is ready to deliver.” [@WaysMeansCmte, 6/23/22]

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In News

Protect Our Care Applauds Biden-Harris Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis

The Biden-Harris Administration Plan Will Address the Maternal Health Crisis And Protect the Health, Safety, and Well-Being of Mothers in the Wake of the Roe Decision

Washington, DC — The White House released the Biden-Harris Administration’s Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, a government-wide strategy to cut the rates of maternal mortality and morbidity and reduce disparities among maternal health outcomes. Complications related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum leads to hundreds of deaths each year. This maternal health crisis is particularly devastating for Black women, American Indian and Alaska Native women, and women in rural communities who all experience maternal mortality and morbidity at significantly higher rates than their white and urban counterparts. In light of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, expanding and protecting maternal health care is more important than ever. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“This blueprint is a beacon of hope amidst the devastating news of Roe v. Wade being overturned. By eliminating Medicaid coverage gaps, diversifying the perinatal workforce, strengthening the social and economic support for pregnancy, this plan will help reduce stark inequities in maternal health outcomes. Meanwhile, Republicans have made clear they oppose any meaningful measures to combat the maternal mortality crisis, by undermining access to contraception and preventive services and fighting legislation to drive down health care costs and expand affordable care. With the rights to a safe and legal abortion being stripped from more than half the country, enacting measures to protect maternal health is vital. This blueprint affirms the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to the safety and protection of women.”

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In News, Statement

Protect Our Care Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade

Washington, DC — Today, the Supreme Court issued a ruling overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision and revoking health care rights for millions of women across the nation. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“Today, the highest court in the land solidified its attack on fundamental human rights. By voting to overturn Roe, the Trump-appointed justices lied to the American people, disregarded the Constitution, and created a health care crisis. This decision will kickstart a wave of laws banning abortion, stripping millions of control of their own bodies and their right to safe access to care. 

“Every Republican lawmaker who voted for these justices owns this decision, and Americans will hold them accountable. The elected officials who want to ban abortions are the same people who refuse to support the Momnibus legislation, which would combat infant and maternal mortality crisis, oppose Medicaid expansion, which has proven to improve health outcomes for mothers and their babies, and are fighting common sense reforms to lower the cost of health care for working families. We won’t give up the fight until access to safe, quality health care — including reproductive care — is a right for every American.”

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In News

“Allowing Costs to Go Up Is Not Acceptable”: Majority Leader Hoyer and Rep. Underwood Joined Protect Our Care to Discuss Dire Need for Congress to Prevent Health Care Premium Hikes

Listen to the Call Here.

Washington, DC — Today, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05) and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) joined Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss the urgent need for Congress to prevent the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium tax credits from expiring. Along with Dr. Jessica Ice, a patient storyteller from West Virginia, speakers laid out the case for why it’s critical to keep premiums low for working families in the face of inflation and rising costs.

The event comes as health care activists, advocacy groups and concerned citizens across the country engage in Protect Our Care’s day of action calling on Congress to act urgently to extend the American Rescue Plan’s tax credits. Watch Protect Our Care’s new video featuring patients who depend on the tax credits here. 

“When Democrats enacted the American Rescue Plan, we expanded premium tax credit eligibility and brought down premiums for those already receiving subsidies. This led to a record 14.5 million Americans signing up for marketplace coverage. When Senators reach an agreement on a path forward for reconciliation, it must include extending these tax credits,” said Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer. “Inflation is causing great shock at the pumps and in grocery stores — we must not let the costs of health care go up as well. We cannot miss this chance to bring down health care costs and provide affordable, accessible health care coverage for so many.” 

“Fundamentally, health care is a human right, and we can’t afford to backslide on the progress we’ve made on health care affordability,” said U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood. “My provision in the American Rescue Plan provided tax credits to lower premium costs for two years – which means that this affordability expansion is set to expire at the end of this year. It is time for the Senate to join us in delivering on this promise to the American people and ensure everyone has access to affordable, high-quality health coverage.”

“I’m not just an advocate for my job. For me personally, my premiums went from $800 a month to under $600 because of the enhanced premium tax credits that came with the American Rescue Plan. For my family, this translates into money for food, utilities, and frankly, money for other health care that we need,” said Dr. Jessica Ice, Executive Director of West Virginians for Affordable Health Care and patient storyteller from West Virginia. “If we do not continue these enhanced premium tax credits, the data shows us there will be big financial hits for West Virginia families and families across the nation.” 

“Lowering health care costs is a clear way to ease the burden on working families struggling with inflation,” said Protect Our Care Communications Director Anne Shoup. “If Congress fails to extend the American Rescue Plan’s tax credits, millions could pay thousands more on their health insurance premiums, and as many as three million people are at-risk of losing coverage altogether. We can’t let that happen.”

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