News

Washington DC — Today, Protect Our Care is kicking off week three of the Inflation Reduction Act theme weeks, which focuses on how the bill reduces health care premiums for 13 million families purchasing coverage on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. On average, families will save thousands of dollars a year on health care, giving them much-needed breathing room to pay for other essentials like rent, groceries, and gas. These savings will help Americans from all walks of life: middle class families, older adults, rural Americans, people of color, and more. 

“The Inflation Reduction Act is a game changer for folks purchasing coverage on the ACA marketplaces,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “It’s not surprising that as costs have come down, ACA enrollment has reached an all-time high. This is only possible because of the leadership of President Biden and Democrats in Congress — and their decade-long effort to protect and enhance the ACA. Despite the millions of people who rely on the ACA for affordable coverage, Republicans have unanimously opposed every measure to enhance the health care law, and they have vowed to repeal The Inflation Reduction Act if they take control of Congress. This would only harm millions of Americans and burden them with higher costs, and it would force some to lose their coverage altogether.  Fortunately, the American people who overwhelmingly support these provisions and our health care champions on both ends of Pennsylvania  Aveneue won’t allow that to happen. ” 

Throughout the week, Protect Our Care will continue to release fact sheets and host nationwide events with elected officials, storytellers, and health care advocates to highlight the Inflation Reduction Act’s critical measures to drive down health care and prescription drug costs.

Inflation Reduction Act Themed Weeks:

• Week 1: GOP Accountability. Week one focuses on how every Republican lawmaker in Congress stood by Big Pharma and other special interests and voted against lower health care costs for the American people.
• Week 2: Seniors. Week two is bringing attention to the Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions to lower prescription drug costs for millions of seniors. 
• Week 3: Lower Health Care Premiums. Week three focuses on how millions of Americans will save on their health care premiums thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. 
• Week 4: Cancer. The final week highlights how patients fighting serious diseases like cancer stand to save thousands of dollars a year on their health care costs. 

FACT SHEET: The Inflation Reduction Act Drastically Lowers Premium Costs For Millions Of Americans

President Biden and Congressional Democrats fought tirelessly to pass the Inflation Reduction Act and reduce the cost of health insurance for millions of Americans and expand coverage.  As a result, about 13 million Americans who buy insurance on their own will see savings, with an average family of four saving $2,400 a year. Three  million of Americans will not lose their existing coverage because they could no longer pay their premiums. The Inflation Reduction Act will reduce racial inequities in health care, strengthen families, and save lives.  It is particularly important as Americans manage their family budgets through inflation. It’s no surprise that these provisions are incredibly popular with the American people, no matter where they live or their political party.

Help Is On The Way In 2023:

• 13 million Americans will save on their health insurance premiums.
• $2,400 in average annual savings per family on health insurance premiums.

Read the full fact sheet here.

Over the last two weeks, Protect Our Care hosted events and published opinion pieces across the nation with national lawmakers and health care advocates to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. These measures will deliver long-overdue relief to working families and seniors, and it will address the deep racial inequities in our health care system. Last month, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, overcoming unified Republican opposition and record lobbying from Big Pharma and other special interests to finally put people over profits. More information on The Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. 

HEADLINES

(GA) Georgia Public Broadcasting: Georgia’s Budget Is a ‘Snapshot of Our Morals and Values,’ Advocates of Medicaid Expansion Say. August 28, 2022 marks a full decade since Georgia’s first refusal to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. “We can and we must use the unprecedented resources at our disposal to fully expand Medicaid and get access to life-saving care for hundreds of thousands of veterans, working parents, frontline workers, and other fellow Georgians,” said Leah Chan, Senior Health Policy Analyst with Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. [GPB News, 8/28/22]

(MI) WNEM: Genesee Health Plan Highlights Savings From Inflation Reduction Act. A Michigan retiree who cares for her disabled daughter and a health care advocate today joined Congressman Dan Kildee of Flint to raise awareness about the health care benefits and savings for ordinary Michiganders from the Inflation Reduction Act. ‘Access to lifesaving care should not cost Michigan families and seniors their life savings. For decades, Big Pharma stood in the way of any progress to lower prescription drug prices. But with the Inflation Reduction Act, we took on the drug companies and won. Medicare will be able to negotiate lower drug prices, we cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors at $2,000 a year, and the price of insulin for seniors is capped at $35 a month. This legislation will have a real impact to lower costs for Michigan families and seniors,’” said Congressman Kildee. [WNEM, 8/23/22] 

(WV) WKKX Radio Interview with Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach sat for a live interview with Rocky Fitzsimmons from the Legislative Watchdogs program on WKKX Radio to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans.” [WKKX, 8/24/22]

(WI) Wisconsin Examiner: Advocates Unpack the Details in New Climate, Health and Tax Law. “This legislation extends for another three years higher subsidies for people who buy health insurance through the federal exchange created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). More than 187,000 Wisconsin residents will save money as a result, according to Protect Our Care, an ACA advocacy group.” [Wisconsin Examiner, 8/31/22]

(WI) Channel 3000: Local Leaders Tout Impact of Inflation Reduction Act on Drug Prices “State Sen. Melissa Agard and Fitchburg Mayor Aaron Richardson on Tuesday touted the impacts the Inflation Reduction Act is expected to have on health care. Representatives from a number of groups, including Opportunity Wisconsin, Family Friendly Wisconsin, For Our Future Wisconsin and Protect Our Care Wisconsin, took part in Tuesday’s news conference.” [Channel 3000, 8/30/22]

OPINION PIECES

(CO) Colorado Politics Op-Ed on the Inflation Reduction Act by Gail Devore, Colorado Resident With 1 Diabetes for More Than 50 Years. “Thanks to this legislation, families will save thousands on their health care premiums. Last year, many of us who buy insurance on our own noticed our health care premiums went down after Democrats in Congress passed legislation guaranteeing coverage that costs less than 8.5% of income. These tax credits in the American Rescue Plan allowed millions of enrollees to find a quality plan for $10 or less per month and saved families an average of $2,400 a year on our insurance premiums.” [Colorado Politics, 8/26/22]

(MN) MinnPost Op-Ed on the Inflation Reduction Act by Congresswoman Craig and Congressman Phillips. “We promised to help because our constituents urgently needed change, and this summer, when we passed the Inflation Reduction Act, we delivered on that promise. At the end of the day, this isn’t a partisan issue – it’s just common sense: every American should be able to access and afford the medication they need to live.” [MinnPost, 9/1/22]

(NH) Concord Monitor Letter to the Editor on the Inflation Reduction Act by POC NH State Director Jayme Simoes. “The legislation also includes measures that will lower health care premiums for millions by extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) financial assistance for three years. Sadly, Republicans in Congress blocked a critical provision that would cap insulin costs at $35 per month for millions of diabetics with insurance. As many as one in four of the 7.5 million Americans dependent on insulin are skipping or skimping on doses, which can lead to death. The contrast is clear. Between fighting to lower health care costs and expanding affordable coverage to working families, our congressional delegation is working tirelessly to lower everyday costs for all Americans,” writes Simoes. [Concord Monitor, 8/21/22]

(NH) New Hampshire Union Leader Op-Ed on the Inflation Reduction Act by Granite Stater Gene Faltus: “Protect Our Care New Hampshire placed an opinion piece written by Granite Stater Gene Faltus in the New Hampshire Union Leader highlighting how the prescription drug provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act will benefit seniors in New Hampshire. ‘I can’t overstate how much this legislation will help me. With more than two dozen prescriptions to treat the cancer, multiple cardiac conditions, non-insulin dependent diabetes, and temporal arteritis, I end up paying around $5,000 out of pocket halfway through the year. After I leave the doughnut hole, I enter catastrophic coverage and pay 5% of my prescription costs until the end of the year. Prescription costs rise every year, but this year I expect my out-of-pocket costs to exceed $7,000. The Inflation Reduction Act will change my life, and the lives of millions of Americans like me, who rely on expensive medications to stay alive.’” [New Hampshire Union Leader, 8/21/22]

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY AUGUST 31 AT 9:00 AM AZ TIME // 12:00 PM ET***

The Inflation Reduction Act Will Lower Costs, Help Arizonans Save on Premiums, and Allow Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices

Phoenix, AZ —On Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 9 AM AZ time, Congressman Greg Stanton will join Protect Our Care Arizona to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans.

The Inflation Reduction Act will lower the cost of health insurance and drive down prescription drug prices by giving Medicare the power to negotiate, capping seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for drugs at $2,000 per year, capping insulin costs, and stopping Big Pharma’s egregious price hikes. This bill will help lower costs for millions of working families, address the deep racial inequities in our health care system and save lives. This historic legislation ends a 20-year era of pharmaceutical companies’ greed taking precedence over the health and well-being of the American people.

By passing this legislation, President Biden and Democrats delivered on their promise to lower health care costs and rein in high drug prices — a stark contrast from every Republican who voted no. American families have been asking and waiting for this day, and now help is on the way.

WHO: Congressman Greg Stanton, [AZ-09] Dana Kennedy, AARP Arizona
Dora Vasquez, Executive Director, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans
Carmen Heredia, CEO Valle Del Sol
Dr. Karuppana, Chief Medical Officer, Valle Del Sol
Morgan Finkelstein, Arizona Protect Our Care

WHAT: Press Conference

WHEN: Wednesday, August 31 at 9:00 AM AZ Time

WHERE: Valle del Sol Community Health Center Corporate Office
3877 N 7th St
Phoenix, AZ 85014

The press conference will be livestreamed here.

Care Force One to Travel Across 21+ States, Make Over 40 Stops and Cover Nearly 12,000 Miles in Five Weeks Starting in October

Washington, D.C. — Protect Our Care will be hitting the road for its fourth nationwide bus tour, Lower Costs, Better Care: Help is on the Way, 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. Kicking off in Bangor, Maine, on October 3, Care Force One will roll into districts and states for events with elected officials, health care advocates, and storytellers to educate Americans about how the bill could save them thousands of dollars a year on health care. Over five weeks, Care Force One will travel to more than 20 states, make more than 40 stops and travel nearly 12,000 miles — the equivalent of driving across the country the entire length of I-40 between Wilmington, NC and Barstow, CA roughly five times.

“Care Force One will crisscross the nation this fall with one message: Thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress, help is on the way,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “President Biden and Democratic lawmakers took on unified Republican opposition and Big Pharma’s lobbying power to deliver lower premiums and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. Throughout the tour, people from all walks of life will share what this bill means to them and their families. Between saving seniors thousands on their prescriptions and lowering monthly premium costs for working families, this bill stands to help millions afford lifesaving health care.” 

The “Lower Costs, Better Care” five-week tour will promote the work of lawmakers who worked tirelessly to pass this historic bill and hold Republicans accountable for rejecting measures to lower costs for the American people. Lawmakers have long promised to lower health costs and rein in high drug prices — but President Biden and Democrats actually got the job done. 

The Inflation Reduction Act will lower costs and improve health care for millions of Americans, with help on the way in just a matter of months. The legislation will lower premiums for 13 million Americans and drive down prescription drug prices by giving Medicare the power to negotiate, capping seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 per year, limiting insulin copays, and stopping many of Big Pharma’s egregious price hikes. Decades in the making, this bill will help lower costs for millions of working families and seniors, and it will address the deep racial inequities in our health care system. Read more about The Inflation Reduction Act’s health care provisions here. 

Help Is On The Way – The Inflation Reduction Act By the Numbers

• 13 million Americans will save on their health insurance premiums starting in 2023, saving an average of $2,400 per family.
• 49 million Medicare beneficiaries will no longer face Big Pharma’s outrageous price hikes that outpace inflation beginning in 2023.
• $35 insulin copays for Medicare beneficiaries beginning in 2023.
• 49 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries will have out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs capped at $2,000 per year beginning in 2025. 
• 80 of the most expensive prescription drugs will have lower prices because of Medicare negotiations by 2030.

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

Bangor, Maine on Monday, October 3, 2022
Dover/Manchester, New Hampshire on Monday, October 3, 2022
Concord, New Hampshire on Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Hartford, Connecticut on Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Allentown, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Scranton, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Burlington County, New Jersey on Thursday, October 6, 2022
New Brunswick, New Jersey on Thursday, October 6, 2022
Harrisburg/Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Friday, October 7, 2022
Morgantown, West Virginia on Friday, October 7, 2022
Cincinnati, Ohio on Monday, October 10, 2022
Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, October 10, 2022
Flint, Michigan on Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Green Bay, Wisconsin on Wednesday, October 12, 2022
La Crosse/Eau Claire, Wisconsin on Thursday, October 13, 2022
St. Paul, Minnesota on Thursday, October 13, 2022
Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, October 14, 2022
Kansas City, Missouri on Friday, October 14, 2022
Reno, Nevada on Monday, October 17, 2022
Las Vegas, Nevada on Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Flagstaff, Arizona on Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Phoenix, Arizona on Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Tucson, Arizona on Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Albuquerque, New Mexico on Thursday, October 20, 2022
Pueblo / Colorado Springs, Colorado on Thursday, October 20, 2022
Denver, Colorado on Friday, October 21, 2022
Richmond, Virginia on Monday, October 24, 2022
Raleigh, North Carolina on Monday, October 24, 2022
Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Augusta, Georgia on Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Savannah, Georgia on Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Orlando, Florida on Thursday, October 27, 2022
Tampa, Florida on Thursday, October 27, 2022
Miami, Florida on Friday, October 28, 2022
TBA: October 31-November 4, 2022

###

Washington DC — Today, Protect Our Care is kicking off week two of the Inflation Reduction Act themed weeks, which focuses on how seniors will save thousands of dollars a year thanks to the bill’s provisions to drive down prescription drug costs. Seniors are especially vulnerable to high prescription drug costs, with nearly one in four struggling to access the medications they need to survive. The Inflation Reduction Act takes critical steps to lower costs for millions of seniors: it gives Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices, it caps annual out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000, it limits insulin copays to $35 per month, and it imposes a penalty on drug companies who raise Medicare drug prices fast than the rate of inflation. 

Along with lowering premium costs for millions of Americans, the Inflation Reduction Act will deliver long-overdue relief to working families and seniors, and it will address the deep racial inequities in our health care system. 

“The Inflation Reduction Act is a godsend for our nation’s seniors” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “It is shameful that seniors have been forced to choose between cutting pills in half and putting food on the table. Democrats’ legislation finally stands up to Big Pharma and delivers long-overdue relief to millions of seniors and their families. Despite a $100 million lobbying campaign from the pharmaceutical industry and unified opposition from Republican lawmakers, President Biden and Democrats delivered on their promises to put people over politics.” 

Over the next several weeks, Protect Our Care will release fact sheets and host nationwide events with elected officials, storytellers, and health care advocates to highlight the Inflation Reduction Act’s critical measures to drive down health care and prescription drug costs.

Inflation Reduction Act Themed Weeks:

• Week 1: GOP Accountability. Week one focuses on how every Republican lawmaker in Congress stood by Big Pharma and other special interests and voted against lower health care costs for the American people.
• Week 2: Seniors. Week two is bringing attention to the Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions to lower prescription drug costs for millions of seniors. 
• Week 3: Lower Health Care Premiums. Week three focuses on how millions of Americans will save on their health care premiums thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. 
• Week 4: Cancer. The final week highlights how patients fighting serious diseases like cancer stand to save thousands of dollars a year on their health care costs. 

FACT SHEET: The Inflation Reduction Act is a Lifeline for America’s Seniors Saving Them Thousands of Dollars a Year and Improving Their Health Care 

The Inflation Reduction Act will drastically reduce the cost of prescription drugs for 49 million Americans enrolled in Medicare’s Part D drug benefit, improve their access to health care, and reduce racial, income, and geographic disparities in health care, and save lives. Seniors will no longer have to choose between paying for the drugs they need and other essentials like food and housing.

By The Numbers:

• 49 million Medicare beneficiaries will no longer face Big Pharma’s outrageous price hikes that exceed inflation beginning in 2023.
• All Medicare Part D beneficiaries will have access to covered vaccines, such as Shingles and pneumonia, at no cost starting in 2023.
• No Medicare beneficiary will pay more than $35 a month for insulin beginning  in 2023.
• 49 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries will have out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs capped at $2,000 per year beginning in 2025.
• The cost of 80 of the most expensive prescription drugs will be reduced because Medicare has the power to negotiate.

Read the full fact sheet here. 

As Protect Our Care wraps up GOP Accountability week, President Biden called out Republicans in the Senate for their disastrous vote against capping insulin costs at $35 a month for millions of diabetics with private insurance. By blocking this critical amendment, diabetics and their families will be forced to pay hundreds of dollars a month for this life saving drug. Once again, Republicans put Big Pharma’s profits over the needs of real families, and the American people will take notice. 

Republicans Blocked Insulin Cap for Millions of Americans. In early August, as the final negotiations were being made on the Inflation Reduction Act, Republicans in the Senate unified together to make sure that the $35 insulin cap was not universal. In a country where 80 percent of diabetics have had to go into debt in order to pay for insulin, this type of action by Republicans reeks of the influence of Big Pharma. When addressing this at his rally on Thursday, President Joe Biden railed against the cowardice of elected Republicans and emphasized to the American people that the IRA would be just the beginning of his plans to reduce health care costs for all Americans. “These Republicans ripped that out of the bill, but we’re coming back.”

Makes Insulin Accessible And Affordable For Seniors. In 2020, there were more than 3.2 million insulin users on Medicare Part D, with nearly 1.7 million purchasing their insulin without low-income subsidies. On average, seniors with Medicare Part D who are not receiving subsidies pay an average of $572 every year for this life saving medication — an unthinkable sum for many on fixed incomes. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, insulin copays for seniors on Medicare will be capped at $35 each month starting in 2023.

New Video Explains Inflation Reduction Act’s Key Measures to Lower Premiums and Prescription Drug Costs for Millions

Watch Protect Our Care’s New Explainer Video Here.

Washington DC — Today, Protect Our Care is announcing four themed weeks to raise awareness of The Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions to lower health care costs for millions of Americans. The bill will drive down health care premiums for 13 million Americans and lower the cost of prescription drugs by giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices, capping seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs, and stopping egregious price hikes. These measures will deliver long-overdue relief to working families and seniors, and they will address the deep racial inequities in our health care system. Week one focuses on how Republican lawmakers voted in unison against this historic legislation and stood by Big Pharma instead of the American people.

“For years, Republicans have waged a partisan war on health care, and this vote is no different,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “By opposing the Inflation Reduction Act, every Republican in the House and the Senate voted to raise premiums and keep drug costs sky-high for millions of seniors and working families. As we approach the fall, it has never been more important to educate Americans about who is working to deliver real relief to families and who is working to deliver higher profits for big drug companies and their executives.” 

Over the next four weeks, Protect Our Care will release fact sheets and host nationwide events with elected officials, storytellers, and health care advocates to highlight the Inflation Reduction Act’s critical measures to drive down health care and prescription drug costs.

Inflation Reduction Act Themed Weeks:

• Week 1: GOP Accountability. Week one focuses on how every Republican lawmaker in Congress stood by Big Pharma and other special interests and voted against lower health care costs for the American people.
• Week 2: Seniors. Week two is bringing attention to the Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions to lower prescription drug costs for millions of seniors. 
• Week 3: Lower Health Care Premiums. Week three focuses on how millions of Americans will save on their health care premiums thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. 
• Week 4: Cancer. The final week highlights how patients fighting serious diseases like cancer stand to save thousands of dollars a year on their health care costs. 

FACT SHEET: Every Republican Voted To Keep Drug Prices High And Charge Millions Of Americans More For Health Insurance

While President Biden and Congressional Democrats fought tirelessly to pass the historic health care investments included in the Inflation Reduction Act, every Republican in the House and Senate opted to keep drug prices high and charge millions of Americans more for health care by voting against the bill. And now Republican leaders like Rick Scott and Chip Roy are even threatening to shut down the federal government to try and roll back this law and force Americans to pay more for their health care and prescription drugs. 

This historic legislation reduces the cost of prescription drugs by reining in Big Pharma and slashes costs for millions of Americans purchasing coverage on their own through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. Not only does this law address our most pressing health care challenges, it also puts downward pressure on rising costs and is backed by more than 120 world renowned economists. But Republicans stood against all of that by giving in to hundreds of millions of dollars in Big Pharma pressure and standing in unified opposition to the Inflation Reduction Act. 

Republicans have worked relentlessly for over a decade to repeal and sabotage the ACA  and now they’re continuing their campaign for higher costs and worse care by opposing the historic investment in health care made by the Inflation Reduction Act, which improves the health and well-being of seniors, people of color, rural Americans, and people with disabilities, strengthens families, and will save lives. 

Read the full fact sheet here.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05), Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06), U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Peter Welch (VT-AL), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Darren Soto (FL-09), Susan Wild (PA-07), Susie Lee (NV-03), and Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

Over the last two weeks, Protect Our Care hosted events across the nation with national lawmakers and health care advocates to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. These measures will deliver long-overdue relief to working families and seniors, and it will address the deep racial inequities in our health care system. Last week, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, overcoming unified Republican opposition and record lobbying from Big Pharma and other special interests to finally put people over profits. More information on The Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. 

NATIONAL

On Friday, August 12, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05) and U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06) joined Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference ahead of the House vote on the Inflation Reduction Act. The legislation takes critical steps to lower health care premiums and prescription drug costs for the American people. Watch the event here. 

Coverage:

• The Hill: Health Care — House passes sweeping bill with health measures
• The National News: US House passes Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act
• Just The News: House Democrats reject GOP amendment to prevent hiring of 87,000 new IRS agents
• Politico: Pausing recess — Dems’ big bill hits the House
• Washington Post: Trump Mar-a-Lago search goes nuclear

On Tuesday, August 9, U.S. Representatives Peter Welch (D-VT-AL) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) joined patient advocates and Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act’s critical measures to lower health care premiums and prescription drug costs for the American people. You can watch the event here. 

ARIZONA

On Wednesday, August 17, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) joined AARP State Director, Dana Kennedy, Protect Our Care Arizona storyteller Kathy Saulsberry, and Arizona advocates at the Arizona AARP headquarters to discuss what the historic passage of the Inflation Reduction Act will mean for Arizonans struggling with high prescription drug and health care costs. “After decades of politicians from both parties promising that they would get this done, we got this across the finish line for Arizonans and the American people who have been waiting way too long,” said Senator Kelly during the roundtable. You can watch the event here. 

Coverage: 

• AZ Family/CBS 5: Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly weighs in on Inflation Reduction Act
• ABC15: Inflation Reduction Act is ‘good news for all of us,’ Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego says 
• Public News Service: Inflation Reduction Act to Save Seniors Millions on Drug Costs 
• KJZZ: Sen. Mark Kelly joins AARP to celebrate changes to Medicare prescription drugs 

On Thursday, August 18, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra hosted a roundtable in Phoenix, Arizona, supported by Protect Our Care Arizona. The roundtable focused on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality health care. During the roundtable, the Secretary highlighted key health care wins in the Inflation Reduction Act, including new HHS authorities that will make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors. 

COLORADO

On Tuesday, August 9, Protect Our Care Colorado joined Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper to celebrate Senate passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.  Bennet and Hickenlooper secured critical resources and provisions in the historic legislation to lower health care and prescription drug costs, tackle climate change, reduce the U.S. deficit, and help fight inflation for hard-working Coloradans. You can watch the event here.

Coverage: 

• Colorado Public Radio: Bennet, Hickenlooper help pass Democrat’s climate, health and tax bill
• The Denver Channel: Democrats laud coming impact Inflation Reduction Act will have on Colorado 
• Real Vail: Senate passes IRA with largest ever investment in climate rescue infrastructure
• Colorado Times Recorder: Colorado Democrats, environmental groups cheer Senate passage of ‘historic’ climate bill
• AccessWire: Colorado VNA receives 2.3 million grant to expand CAPABLE program Denver Post: Colorado’s U.S. Senate candidates spar over $433 billion climate bill 
• Axios: Colorado is a battleground for how to frame new bill

FLORIDA

On Wednesday, August 10, U.S. Representative Darren Soto (D-FL-09) joined Protect Our Care Florida to discuss Senate Democrats passing the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. “The advance premium tax credit appears to be saved and extended for three years– to 2025– under the Inflation Reduction Act. This is a huge win for Florida that is imminent,” said Congressman Darren Soto. “It means brighter days are ahead. Lower costs. Better healthcare. And a brighter future.” You can watch the event here. 

Coverage: 

• WMFE NPR: Central Florida healthcare advocates call for passage of Inflation Reduction Act
• Florida Phoenix: U.S. drug price controls could kneecap DeSantis’ Canada prescription import plan

On Thursday, August 18, U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-FL-13) joined Protect Our Care Florida along with health care advocates to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. “Florida is the biggest winner from the Inflation Reduction Act, with huge savings for Floridians, no thanks to Republicans like Ron DeSantis,” said Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL-13th). “But make no mistake, where Republicans failed, Florida Democrats in Congress stepped up and delivered. This bill is a home run; it is common sense. It addresses our most pressing healthcare challenges, and it brings costs down.” You can watch the event here. 

Coverage: 

• Florida Politics: Inflation Reduction Act is the law, but partisan politicking continues
• WCJB-TV (ABC 20): Rep. Chris Discusses How Inflation Reduction Act will Benefit FL Seniors
• WESH-TV(NBC 2): Rep. Crist to Discuss Lower Drug Costs with Seniors
• WCJB-TV (ABC 20): Gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried campaigns in Gainesville by touring in a bus  

GEORGIA

On Wednesday, August 17, Protect Our Care Georgia supported a virtual press conference to discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act will lower health care costs, reduce energy costs, and fight inflation without raising taxes a single penny for middle class Georgians – while all eight of Georgia’s House Republicans voted to stand with Big Pharma and special interests instead of Georgia families. “Yesterday, President Biden’s signature of the Inflation Reduction Act capped off months of intensive efforts by congressional Democrats to get a historic package across the finish line – that boldly takes on special interests to tackle inflation, cuts health care and energy costs for millions of Americans, all without raising taxes on anyone making less than $400,000 a year,” said Congressman Hank Johnson. “One victory Georgians can be particularly proud of is this legislation’s provisions to finally allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, cap out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors, and cap the cost of insulin for Medicare recipients who rely on it. Big Pharma has fought tooth and nail to stop these things from ever becoming law. But Democrats fought and secured their passage, and the president’s signature yesterday enshrined them into the books of law.” You can watch the event here. 

Coverage: 

• Local 3 News: Georgia Democrats on Inflation Reduction Act

NEW HAMPSHIRE

On Tuesday, August 9, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) held a press conference at Amoskeag Health with local health care advocates, medical professionals and area residents impacted by pharmaceutical costs to celebrate the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act last weekend by the U.S. Senate. “This bill will help bring down the cost of prescription drugs for not just Medicare patients, but consumers across the board by putting pressure on Big Pharma to lower their prices,” said Senator Hassan. 

Coverage:

• Manchester Ink Link: Hassan joins local advocates in touting Inflation Reduction Act’s passage

NEW JERSEY

On Thursday, August 11,  Protect Our Care joined Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) at a press conference in Woodbridge with local elected leaders and health care advocates on the Inflation Reduction Act.“The Inflation Reduction Act is one of the most significant pieces of health care legislation to move through Congress in over a decade. It finally breaks Big Pharma’s monopoly on prescription drug prices. No one should have to choose between paying for life saving medications or food and rent,” said Rep. Pallone. “Importantly, it will help ensure seniors are no longer ripped off at the pharmacy counter by capping both their annual out-of-pocket drug spending as well as how much they can be charged for insulin. It also penalizes Big Pharma companies for unfairly hiking prices on seniors.” You can watch the event here. 

Coverage:

• Central Jersey: Congressman Frank Pallone highlights Inflation Reduction Act
• News 12 New Jersey: Congress considers bill to lower cost of prescription drugs, health care for seniors

On Monday, August 15, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-09) and health care advocates  joined Protect Our Care New Jersey to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. “Last week Democrats passed one of the most significant acts by Congress in history. In one fell swoop we made the largest investment in fighting climate change ever, brought down inflation, increased tax fairness, and reduced prescription drug prices for millions of Americans,” said Congressman Bill Pascrell. “This bill is a victory for those who cannot afford life-saving medication. It is a win for those struggling to pay for insurance. It is a gamechanger for small business owners like Patrick Hall faced with high premiums. I could not be more proud of the work we put in to pass this bill. It is damning beyond all comprehension that not a single Republican in all of Congress voted for this. Yet, with or without them, we will continue to create lasting change for the American people.” You can watch the event here. 

Coverage: 

• New Jersey Globe: Inflation Reduction Act will lower drug costs, Pascrell says
• WPIX: Congressman Pascrell and Health Care Advocates Discuss Legislation Headed to President Biden’s Desk
• WMBC-TV: Lowering Healthcare Costs

NEVADA 

• On Friday, August 19, Friday, August 19 HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Governor Steve Sisolak, and Protect Our Care Nevada organized a roundtable in Reno, Nevada with Governor Steve Sisolak. The roundtable focused on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality health care. During the roundtable, the Secretary highlighted key health care wins in the Inflation Reduction Act, including new HHS authorities that will make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors. 

Coverage: 

• KRNV: U.S. Health and Human Services secretary talks prescription drugs, mental health in Reno
• KTVN: HHS Secretary Becerra, Governor Sisolak participate in Inflation Reduction Act Roundtable
• Indy DC Download: Ahead of election, Democrats tout perks of Inflation Reduction Act
• KTVN-TV (CBS): HHS Sec. Becerra and Gov. Sisolak host prescription drugs roundtable

OHIO

On Wednesday, August 1, State Representative Brigid Kelly and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care Ohio to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. “Ensuring people have real access to health care – I’m talking about coverage they can actually afford to use – is a hard fight, made even more difficult when elected leaders choose to create barriers to care instead of making coverage easier to obtain,” said State Representative Brigid Kelly. “But now, Democrats in Congress have passed – and President Biden has signed – The Inflation Reduction Act, which will lower costs and improve health care for millions of Americans.” You can watch the event here. 

Coverage: 

• Gongwer: Advocates Hope Federal Law Leads To Broader Affordable Insulin Access
• WBNS: Ohio Leaders Address Health Care Costs
• WBNS: How Inflation Reduction Act Helps Ohioans 

PENNSYLVANIA

On Thursday, August 11, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-07) joined Protect Our Care Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Health Access Network, For Our Future PA, and Family Friendly Pennsylvania to emphasize the need for Congress to lower prescription drug costs by passing the Inflation Reduction Act. Rep. Wild has been a national leader on this issue both in the House and in pressuring the Senate to take action. Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act will allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices for the first time in history, limit onerous price hikes, and cap seniors’ drug costs. These actions 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. You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• WFMZ-TV 69 (Philadelphia): Susan Wild Discusses Inflation Reduction Act with Health Care Advocates
• WFMZ-TV 69 (Philadelphia): Rep. Susan Wild Discusses IRA Lower Rx Drug Cost Measures with Constituents

On Thursday, August 18, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) joined local health care advocates to discuss what the historic passage of the Inflation Reduction Act will mean for Pennsylvania seniors struggling with high prescription drug costs. “The high cost of insulin is a horror for so many Americans and we had the chance in this bill that passed — and thankfully the whole bill passed — but we had a moment where the bill that went to the Senate floor had the same $35 cap for all Americans. We needed Republican votes and we couldn’t get those votes, so the reason it’s not in the bill is the fault of one party in the United States. But that doesn’t mean we’re not going to keep fighting the fight,” said Senator Casey. 

Coverage: 

• WGAL: Sen. Bob Casey discusses how new law will lower health care costs for seniors
• WHTM-HAR (ABC): Sen. Casey Discusses How IRA Will Benefit PA Seniors
• WGAL-HAR (NBC): Sen. Casey Meets with Seniors on IRA Rx Drug Reforms
• WHTM-HAR (ABC): Sen. Casey Calls Out Republicans for Blocking Reforms to Lower Cost of Insulin
• WPMT-HAR (FOX): Sen. Casey Meets with Seniors Who Will Benefit from IRA Health Measures
• 21 News (CBS):  Rising Insulin Prices Cause Growing Concern
• Penn Live:  Senator Casey Touts Legislative Success in Harrisburg

WEST VIRGINIA

On Thursday, August 18, Protect Our Care West Virginia joined with health care experts for a press conference to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for West Virginians. “The Inflation Reduction Act will be a game-changer for millions of people,” said Lynette Maselli, state director of Protect Our Care West Virginia. “Medicare will have the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, millions of seniors will save  thousands of dollars a year and will no longer have to choose between paying the bills and affording their lifesaving prescriptions, and middle-class families will save on their health insurance premiums. And all of this at a time when Americans are looking for relief from rising prices.”

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 22 AT 10:00 AM PT***

The Inflation Reduction Act Will Lower Costs, Help Nevadans Save on Premiums, and Allow Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices 

Las Vegas, Nevada — On Monday, August 22nd at 10:00 am, Congresswoman Susie Lee will join Protect Our Care Nevada to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans.

The Inflation Reduction Act will lower the cost of health insurance and drive down prescription drug prices by giving Medicare the power to negotiate, capping seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for drugs at $2,000 per year, capping insulin costs, and stopping Big Pharma’s egregious price hikes. This bill will help lower costs for millions of working families, address the deep racial inequities in our health care system and save lives. This historic legislation ends a 20-year era of pharmaceutical companies’ greed taking precedence over the health and well-being of the American people.

By passing this legislation, Democrats delivered on their promise to lower health care costs and rein in high drug prices — a stark contrast from  every Republican who voted no. American families have been asking and waiting for this day, and now help is on the way.

WHO: Congresswoman Susie Lee and health care advocates

WHAT: Press Conference

WHEN: Monday, August 22, 2022 at 10:00 AM PT

WHERE: Soriano Conference Room in the Engelstad Building at  Roseman University
10530 Discovery Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89135

Watch the livestream.