News

Advocates and Storytellers Watched President Biden Announce Measures to Strengthen the ACA and Lower Costs for Millions of Americans

Watch the Full Video Here.

Yesterday, health care storytellers and advocates from across the country visited the White House to celebrate the success of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and President Biden’s ongoing efforts to improve the health care law and cut costs for families. During the event, former President Obama noted that, in the fight to pass the ACA, he and President Biden were determined to deliver because “we met too many people on the campaign trail who’d shared their stories.” The tireless work of storytellers helped usher the ACA into law, protected it from GOP repeal and sabotage, and is now driving the fight to build on the ACA today. 

The event comes as President Biden and Democrats in Congress are working to build on the ACA by driving down prescription drug prices, lowering premiums, and further expanding access to affordable care. More information on President Biden’s health care achievements can be found here. 

COVERAGE:

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Obamacare advocate Chrysa Ostenso of Ladysmith witnesses White House ceremony celebrating Affordable Care Act
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh public health advocates attend White House ceremony on Affordable Care Act

MEET THE STORYTELLERS:

DonnaMarie Woodson (Charlotte, NC): DonnaMarie has a pre-existing condition and credits the ACA for saving her life. If she hadn’t been insured through the ACA, she says she probably would not have had screening tests that led to her diagnoses with colon cancer and breast cancer in 2015. 

Himali Patel (Atlanta, GA). Himali is an Atlanta small business owner who relies on the ACA for health insurance. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, she saw her monthly premium drop from $400 per month to $30 per month.

Teresa Acosta (Dunwoody, GA). Teresa is a single mom to a Type 1 diabetic son. She lost her job at Juvenile Diabetes Foundation because of COVID-19 but was able to get health insurance through the ACA. Thanks in part to the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium subsidies, she started a small business in the middle of the pandemic.

Chrysa Ostenso (Ladysmith, WI). Chrysa and her husband own an optometry clinic in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. As small business owners, they purchase family coverage through the ACA Marketplace. After President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law, Chrysa’s family saw their monthly premiums go from almost $2000 to under $300. 

Amy Raslevich (Pittsburgh, PA). Amy is a breast cancer survivor and mother of two children with pre-existing conditions whose family relies on the ACA’s critical protections.

Steve Gomez (Phoenix, AZ). Steve is the father of an immunocompromised son with pre-existing conditions. Steve’s son, Anthony, was born with a serious heart defect but is protected under the ACA.

“ACA is a BFD” Appeared Outside the White House After President Biden Announced New Actions to Strengthen the Law

This evening, Protect Our Care hosted a Lite-Brite display outside of the White House to celebrate the success of the Affordable Care Act and highlight the ongoing efforts to lower health care costs, improve care, and increase coverage for American families. The lite-brite display comes after former President Obama joined President Biden and Vice President Harris to announce new measures to strengthen the ACA, including a proposed fix to the “family glitch,” which will lower health care costs for more than one million Americans. President Biden is also directing his administration to improve access to health care providers, protect people from low-quality coverage and continue lowering health care costs. 

President Biden and Democrats in Congress are working to build on the ACA by driving down prescription drug prices, lowering premiums, and further expanding access to affordable care. More information on President Biden’s health care achievements can be found here. 

Background:

President Biden Has Delivered On Health Care

President Obama Joined President Biden at White House Event to Celebrate Success of the ACA

This afternoon, former President Obama joined President Biden and Vice President Harris at the White House to celebrate the success of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and ongoing efforts to improve the health care law and cut costs for families. During the event, President Biden announced new measures to strengthen the ACA, including a proposed fix to the “family glitch,” which will lower health care costs for more than one million Americans. Coverage makes clear that the Biden administration’s efforts to build on the ACA have worked — with record enrollment and lower premium costs than ever before. Now, President Biden is continuing to use every tool at his disposal to provide American families with quality, affordable coverage. 

Washington Post: ‘I Had To Show Up,’ Obama Says As He Joins Biden To Celebrate The ACA. “Today, former president Barack Obama was back at the White House, reliving the bruising battle to pass the Affordable Care Act and celebrating that it’s ‘pretty darn popular’ 12 years later…Biden signed an executive order to further expand access by addressing a ‘glitch’ in Obama’s signature health-care law and vowed to continue to ‘build on’ the ACA in the years ahead.” [Washington Post, 4/5/22]

Wall Street Journal: Biden Proposes Change To Affordable Care Act To Extend Subsidies For Families. “About five million people are affected by the so-called family glitch, and under the proposed change they will have more options for insurance coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Additionally, an estimated 200,000 uninsured people are expected to gain coverage under the proposed change by the Treasury Department and nearly 1 million people will get more affordable coverage, U.S. officials said. The proposed rule, if it is approved by federal regulators, would go into effect Jan. 1, 2023.” [Wall Street Journal, 4/5/22]

Time: President Biden Moves To Fix A ‘Glitch’ In The Affordable Care Act. “‘It’s a huge deal,’ says Katie Keith, director of the Health Policy and the Law Initiative at Georgetown Law’s O’Neill Institute. ‘It’s one of the biggest things the Biden Administration can do on its own to expand coverage.’ About 5.1 million people across the country fall into the family glitch…Most of these are women and children. Not all of these people would choose to switch their plans immediately, but the White House estimates that 1 million people would move to cheaper ACA health plans if the rule takes effect, and 200,000 uninsured Americans would gain comprehensive coverage.” [Time, 4/5/22]

AP: Biden, Obama Mark 12 Years Of The Affordable Care Act At The White House. “Biden opened up the health insurance markets to anyone seeking coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his coronavirus relief bill provided a significant, though temporary, increase in financial assistance. The result was a record 14.5 million people signing up for subsidized private coverage. People tripped up by the “family glitch” are dependents of workers who have an offer of employer coverage that the government interprets as being affordable.” [AP, 4/5/22]

Reuters: Obama And Biden Reunite At White House To Tout Obamacare, New Provision. “The White House said the proposed adjustment to the Affordable Care Act, put forward in a rule by the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service that must be finalized, would save hundreds of dollars a month for hundreds of thousands of families. It said the ‘family glitch’ affects some five million people and ‘has made it impossible for many families to use the premium tax credit to purchase an affordable, high-quality Marketplace plan.’” [Reuters, 4/5/22]

USA Today: With Obama’s Help, Biden Announces Proposed Fix To ACA’s ‘Family Glitch’. “The change, which would go into effect as early as next year, could allow an estimated 200,000 people without insurance to gain coverage, according to the White House…The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that 5.1 million people are affected by how the IRS initially wrote the regulation when interpreting the ACA. Most have insurance through an employer but are paying high premiums.” [USA Today, 4/5/22]

CBS: Obama Returns To White House For Health Care Event With Biden. “A new rule proposed by the Treasury Department would enable family members who must pay more than 10% of their income for health care coverage to get financial help. ‘As a result, 200,000 uninsured people are expected to gain coverage and nearly a million more are expected to see lower premiums every day,’ a senior administration official told reporters on a background call.” [CBS, 4/5/22]

NBC: Biden, Joined By Obama, Proposes Tax Credit Fix To Affordable Care Act. “‘Starting next year, working families in America will get the help they need to afford full family coverage, everyone in the family,’ Biden said at a White House event promoting the law and announcing the change. ‘As a result, families will be saving hundreds of dollars a month.’” The Treasury Department proposal would allow families to receive tax credits if their coverage costs exceed more than 10 percent of their incomes, a senior administration official told reporters. The change, scheduled to take effect in January, would allow 200,000 uninsured people to gain coverage and lower premiums for a million others, the official said. [NBC, 4/5/22]

Yahoo News: Obama Returns To White House For Celebration Of Affordable Care Act As Biden Announces Changes To Law. “Biden announced changes to the plan in an attempt to expand it to more Americans. One tweak that can be authorized by the Treasury Department is fixing a ‘family glitch’ that would mean lower premiums for some Americans, while others would become eligible for subsidized insurance plans.” [Yahoo News, 4/5/22]

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 5 AT 9:00 PM ET***  

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

ADVISORY: Protect Our Care Hosts Lite-Brite Display Celebrating the Affordable Care Act

“ACA is a BFD” Will Appear Outside the White House After President Biden Announced Actions to Strengthen the Law

Washington, DC — Today, Protect Our Care will host a Lite-Brite display after the White House event celebrating the success of the Affordable Care Act and ongoing efforts to strengthen the health care law and cut costs for families. This afternoon, former President Obama joined President Biden and Vice President Harris to announce new measures to strengthen the ACA, including a proposed fix to the “family glitch,” which will lower health care costs for more than one million Americans. President Biden is also directing his administration to improve access to health care providers, protect people from low-quality coverage and continue lowering health care costs. 

Since taking office, President Biden has taken bold steps to lower health care costs, improve care, and increase coverage. As a result, more than 30 million Americans have affordable health care through the Marketplace and Medicaid expansion. Democrats are continuing their work to strengthen the ACA by fighting to lower drug prices, reduce premiums, and expand coverage to even more families. More information on President Biden’s health care achievements can be found here. 

LITE-BRITE DISPLAY

WHAT: Lite-Brite Display in Front of White House

WHEN: Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at 9:00 PM ET

WHERE: Ellipse side of White House

President Biden Announced Measures to Strengthen the ACA and Lower Costs for Millions of Americans 

Washington, DC — Today, former President Obama joined President Biden and Vice President Harris at the White House to celebrate the success of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and ongoing efforts to strengthen the health care law and cut costs for families. During the event, President Biden announced new measures to strengthen the ACA, including a proposed fix to the “family glitch,” which will lower health care costs for more than one million Americans. The President is also directing his administration to improve access to health care providers, protect people from low-quality coverage and continue lowering health care costs. 

The event comes on the heels of the ACA’s 12-year anniversary and as enrollment is at a record high and premium costs are lower than ever before. Since taking office, President Biden has taken bold steps to lower health care costs, improve care, and increase coverage. As a result, more than 30 million Americans have affordable health care through the Marketplace and Medicaid expansion. Democrats are continuing their work to strengthen the ACA by fighting to lower drug prices, reduce premiums, and expand coverage to even more families. 

“The Affordable Care Act is the gift that keeps on giving,” said Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care. “Despite years of attacks by Republican lawmakers, the law is stronger than ever and a record number of Americans have enrolled in affordable coverage. Democrats have proven time and again that the ACA lowers health costs and improves care. President Biden has reduced insurance premiums, expanded coverage, tackled racial equity and is now closing ‘the family glitch’ — all by building on the Affordable Care Act.” 

“There has never been a more urgent time to lower health care costs, and President Biden is delivering again,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Americans are sick and tired of choosing between paying the bills and getting the health care they need. The Biden administration understands the needs of working families, and today’s announcement made clear that Democrats are committed to building on the strong foundation of the ACA to lower costs and give families the health care they deserve. What have Republicans proposed to lower health care costs and fight inflation? Not a damn thing.” 

BACKGROUND:

President Biden Is Working To Close The Family Glitch. Millions of Americans qualify for affordable employer health coverage and are therefore not eligible for ACA premium savings on the Marketplace. This arrangement works well for millions, however, as workers add dependents onto their health coverage, premiums rise, pushing the total cost of health coverage far beyond the percentage of income stipulated by the ACA. Despite this increase, workers are still not eligible to receive premium subsidies through a Marketplace plan. This is the family glitch and it is estimated to impact more than five million Americans. A Health Affairs study estimated Americans in the family glitch pay an average of 15.8 percent of their income towards health premiums, nearly double what is permitted under the ACA. Of the estimated 5.1 million Americans in the family glitch, the vast majority are relatively low-income and 2.8 million are children who are not eligible for CHIP. This puts families in the terrible situation of having to choose between health insurance for their children and other necessities. President Biden has proposed a rule that would eliminate the family glitch and allow families to purchase affordable coverage on the Marketplace with premium tax credits. Under this rule, 200,000 uninsured Americans would gain coverage and many families would save hundreds of dollars each much on health premiums.

Read the full fact sheet here: President Biden Has Delivered On Health Care

193 House Republicans Voted Against the Affordable Insulin Now Act 

Washington DC — Last night, the House of Representatives passed the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which caps out-of-pocket insulin costs for millions of diabetics with private insurance and Medicare coverage. Every single Democrat voted for the legislation, while the vast majority of Republicans voted against lower health care costs. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“Republicans’ war on lowering health care costs continues. No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and affording the insulin they need to survive. By voting against lower insulin costs, the GOP is marching in lockstep with Big Pharma and all of the special interests that want to keep profits high without any regard for the needs of the American people. While President Biden and Democrats are fighting tirelessly to lower health care costs, Republicans are following their same old playbook: calling for health care repeal, raising costs, and opposing any real solutions to put more money in the pockets of working families.” 

REPUBLICAN LEADERS ARE PUSHING TO RAISE HEALTH CARE COSTS AND GUT THE ACA

NRSC Chairman Sen. Rick Scott has rolled out a disastrous agenda for a Republican Senate majority that includes “sunsetting” every federal law after five years – this would include the Affordable Care Act and its protections for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions as well as the crucial lifelines of Social Security and Medicare. 

Every Republican on the Senate Finance committee signed a letter opposing the extending of ACA tax credits included in the American Rescue Plan set to expire at the end of 2022. Premium savings under the American Rescue Plan benefit millions of Americans who buy health insurance on their own and save families an average of $2,400 a year.  Days later, the Republicans on the House Education and Labor Committee claiming that the ACA is a “failure” and suggesting that it should be repealed.  

On March 31, nearly every Republican in the House voted for higher insulin costs by opposing the Affordable Insulin Now Act, legislation that caps out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 a month for millions of diabetics with private insurance and Medicare coverage.  

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE RUNNING ON REPEAL 

Arizona: Major candidates for Senate are cheerleaders for repeal. State Attorney General and Senate candidate Mark Brnovich was one of the lead attorneys general seeking to overturn the entire ACA in 2018. Blake Masters called the ACA a “disaster” and Jim Lamon is actively campaigning against the law, proposing to “redesign or eliminate” Obamacare as part of his platform. 

Colorado: Three out of four Republican candidates running for the new Eighth District in Colorado have pledged to repeal the ACA. Tyler Alcorn, a former Green Beret; Lori Saine, a Weld County commissioner; and state Thornton Mayor Jan Kulmann all said they would repeal Obamacare if Republicans took control of the House. 

Florida: Sen. Marco Rubio has repeatedly voted for ACA repeal plans. And he refused to condemn Florida’s involvement in the GOP lawsuit to fully dismantle the law and its coverage protection for Americans with pre-existing conditions.

Missouri: Senate Candidate and Attorney General Eric Schmitt was another leader seeking to overturn the entire ACA in the courts in 2018. Reps. Billy Long and Vicky Hartzler, who are also running for Senate, are longtime opponents of the ACA and voted for the 2017 AHCA GOP repeal plan that would have slashed coverage protections and driven up costs. And Eric Greitens has backed GOP ACA repeal plans for years.  In the state house, Republicans continue to drag their feet and erect barriers to Medicaid expansion in Missouri, years after voters cleared it in a referendum. 

Nevada: Senate Candidate Adam Laxalt has campaigned against the Affordable Care Act for years, calling it the “most flawed piece of major legislation America has ever endured.” Laxalt, who owns tens of thousands of dollars in Big Pharma stock, has also opposed efforts to give Medicare the authority to negotiate lower prescription drug prices.

North Carolina: Two Republican Senate candidates in North Carolina – Ted Budd and Mark Walker – supported the 2017 GOP AHCA repeal plan, voting to gut pre-existing condition coverage protections and let insurance companies charge older Americans more for coverage. And former Governor Pat McCrory, now running for Senate himself, spent his term in office working feverishly to block Medicaid expansion in North Carolina. 

Ohio: Every GOP Senate candidate in Ohio has spent years cheerleading for repeal of the ACA. In 2012, Josh Mandel said he was “hopeful” that he would be the deciding vote to repeal the ACA. Jane Tiken first got involved in politics because of her zeal to repeal Obamacare. In 2017, Mike Gibbons called the law “a disaster” and said “after we repeal ObamaCare, we need to start from scratch.” And on his campaign website in 2022, Matt Dolan continues to claim that the ACA was “conceived wrongly, implemented poorly and has become a tool of partisan grift.” 

Pennsylvania: Dr. Mehmet Oz spent years supporting the ACA and promoting enrollment, but now that he’s running for Senate as a Republican, he calls the ACA “wrong” and says he “would not have voted for Obamacare.” 

Wisconsin: Sen. Ron Johnson said in March 2022 that Republicans should repeal the ACA if they retake the Senate following on his comments from 2021 when he said he regrets that Republicans have failed to eliminate the law. Meanwhile Republicans in the state house continue to block Medicaid expansion in Wisconsin. 

U.S. Representatives Dan Kildee (D-MI), Lucy McBath (D-GA), and Angie Craig (D-MN) Championed the Affordable Insulin Now Act 

Washington DC — Today, the House of Representatives passed the Affordable Insulin Now Act, legislation that caps out-of-pocket insulin costs for millions of diabetics with private insurance and Medicare coverage. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“For decades, drug company greed has forced millions of diabetics to pay outrageous prices for the medications they need to survive. Even when insulin vials only cost a few dollars to produce, drug companies have hiked the price to hundreds of dollars per month, forcing too many patients to ration insulin and skip doses altogether. Representatives Kildee, Craig and McBath’s bill capping out-of-pocket insulin costs to $35 a month for diabetics with insurance is a critical step to drive down prescription drug prices. It will put more money in families’ pockets and give them peace of mind knowing they won’t have to choose between purchasing this lifesaving medication and putting food on the table. We commend Democrats in Congress for their commitment to fighting for a future where quality, affordable health care is a reality for every American.”

Washington, D.C. – April is Medicaid Awareness Month, and there has never been a more urgent time to highlight Medicaid’s overwhelming importance for millions of Americans in communities across the nation. Medicaid has served as a lifeline during the pandemic, providing nearly 79 million Americans with access to high-quality, affordable care when they need it most. 

Throughout April, Protect Our Care will release fact sheets and host events nationwide with elected officials, storytellers, and health care advocates to highlight Medicaid’s critical role in America, discuss what needs to be done to expand and strengthen the program, and raise awareness of the consequences of Republican threats.

To mark the start of Medicaid Awareness Month today, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse released the following statement: 

“With more Americans relying on Medicaid coverage than ever before, there has never been a better time to celebrate the importance of the program, highlight what needs to be done to expand and strengthen Medicaid, and combat the threats that still exist. While President Biden and Democrats are working to finish the job of the Affordable Care Act and close the Medicaid coverage gap in the 12 non-expansion states, Republicans are playing politics with their constituents’ health. We must continue holding Republicans accountable for putting politics before people, denying their most vulnerable populations access to Medicaid.”

The month will include the following theme’s each week:

• Week 1: Medicaid is Working! Week one will focus on how Medicaid has improved the lives of millions even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Week 2: Close the Coverage Gap. Week two will bring attention to the urgent need to close the Medicaid coverage gap. 
• Week 3: Stop the Threat. Week three will focus on how millions of Americans face losing their Medicaid coverage coverage when the COVID-19 public health emergency for the Covid-19 pandemic ends because Republican officials are failing to protect eligible Medicaid recipients. 
• Week 4: Medicaid & Health Equity. The final week will highlight how Medicaid is our most powerful tool in fighting for health equity. 

Medicaid Is More Important Than Ever

Nearly 1 in 4 Americans Receive Health Coverage Through Medicaid

April is Medicaid Awareness Month and the past two years have taught us that Medicaid is more important than ever. Medicaid has been proven to increase access to care, improve financial security, and produce better health outcomes. Today, nearly 79 million Americans receive their coverage through Medicaid, firmly establishing Medicaid as a pillar of the American health care system. 

Medicaid expansion is essential to ensure every American has quality, affordable health coverage. Despite the overwhelming benefits of Medicaid expansion, Republicans have spent years undermining the ACA and its expansion of Medicaid at every turn, blocking millions from coverage. Yet the program has become increasingly popular among conservative voters. 75 percent of Americans have a favorable view toward the Medicaid program, and 61 percent of Americans in non-expansion states favor expansion. Every time Medicaid expansion has been placed on the ballot, even in deep red states like Oklahoma and Idaho, voters have approved it. An estimated four million uninsured adults could gain coverage if the 12 remaining holdout states adopted Medicaid expansion.

Research confirms that Medicaid expansion saves lives and drastically reduces racial health disparities. States that expanded their Medicaid programs saw a 51 percent reduction in the gap between uninsured white and Black adults after expansion, and a 45 percent reduction between white and Hispanic adults. Medicaid has also served as a lifeline during the pandemic, with research showing expansion states were better positioned to handle the economic fallout from COVID-19. However you approach it, Medicaid is an essential component of American life and more important than ever. Read more here.

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 31 AT 3:15 PM ET  // 12:15 PM PT***

Washington, DC — Today, Thursday, March 31 at 3:15 PM ET // 12:15 PM PT, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) will hold a virtual roundtable with Protect Our Care and patients from Washington state and Georgia to discuss their fight to lower the cost of lifesaving prescription drugs for patients across our country—including by bringing down insulin costs for the 1 in 10 patients across the country with diabetes.

During the event, Senators Murray and Warnock will hear from patients from Washington state and Georgia who depend on insulin to manage their diabetes and stay healthy and will highlight their efforts to bring down health care costs for working people however possible—so that no patient is forced to ration their insulin or choose between buying groceries or paying for the lifesaving drug they need.

Senators Murray and Warnock will be joined by Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care, Kevin Wren, a type 1 diabetes patient from Washington state, and Shannon, a mother of three from Georgia struggling to cover high medical expenses for one son with an autoimmune condition and another son recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

VIRTUAL EVENT:

WHO:
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care
Kevin Wren, type 1 diabetes patient from Washington state
Shannon, a Georgia mother of three boys with serious medical conditions

WHAT: Senators Murray and Warnock Fight to Cap Insulin Costs at $35/Month and Lower the Cost of Lifesaving Drugs for Patients

WHERE: Send an Email to RSVP

WHEN: Thursday, March 31 at 3:15 PM ET // 12:15 PM PT

Former President Barack Obama, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Representatives Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ron Kind (WI-03), G.K. Butterfield (NC-01), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Susie Lee (NV-03), Susan Wild (PA-07), Matt Cartwright (PA-08), Nikema Williams (GA-5), Dwight Evans (PA-3), and Gwen Moore (WI-4) Joined State & Local Elected Officials and Storytellers for Events In 12 States 

This month, Protect Our Care hosted 36 events and released eight op-eds to commemorate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and American Rescue Plan anniversaries and bring attention to critical health care issues facing the nation. The events come as President Biden and Democrats are working tirelessly to lower health care costs, put more money in families pockets, expand coverage, and control the COVID-19 pandemic. Events and activities focused on four key areas: 

• Affordable Care Act Anniversary: Protect Our Care released a video with former President Obama and NowThis and hosted events in eight states to mark the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), highlighting how the law is stronger than ever with more than 30 million Americans getting health coverage through the Marketplace and Medicaid expansion. Lawmakers and advocates also urged Congress to pass provisions that will build on the successes of the ACA and bring down the cost of health care for American families. 
• American Rescue Plan Anniversary: Protect Our Care joined lawmakers, advocates, and storytellers in nine states to commemorate the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, health care is more affordable than ever. At each event, speakers called on Congress to pass legislation to make many of the law’s health care provisions permanent. 
• State of the Union: Ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union Address, Protect Our Care joined members of Congress, state and local elected officials, health care advocates, and storytellers to discuss the urgent need to pass President Biden’s health care proposal and highlight the importance of lowering health care costs and expanding access to care.
• COVID-19 Funding: Protect Our Care hosted events in six states as warnings mounted about the consequences if Congress fails to provide additional COVID-19 funding to maintain testing capacity and supply life-saving treatment. Despite rising vaccination rates, we could see a significant setback in our nationwide COVID-19 response without additional funding requested by the Biden administration.

NATIONAL

Wednesday, March 23 — NowThis Video Features President Obama Thanking Health Care Storytellers For Their Advocacy On The Affordable Care Act’s 12th Anniversary. You can watch the full video here.

Wednesday, March 16 — Health Experts Zeke Emanuel and Howard Forman Joined Local Officials to Discuss the Importance of Passing COVID Relief. You can watch the event here.

Thursday, March 10 — American Rescue Plan Anniversary and Affordable Insulin Now Act Event with Senators Tammy Baldwin and Raphael Warnock and Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Coverage: 

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Insulin costs have sky-rocketed; Warnock-sponsored bill would cap co-pays
• Wisconsin Health News: Baldwin Eyes Bipartisan Support for Insulin Plan

ALASKA

Monday, March 21 — Covid Funding Bill Accountability Event with Assemblywoman Suzanne LaFrance, Alaskan Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

ARIZONA

Wednesday March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans and Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here. 

Saturday, March 5 — Arizona Republic Op-ed by Mario Diaz on AZ PPP Poll Results: Protect Our Care Arizona placed an opinion piece in the Arizona Republic by Mario Diaz, former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Napolitano and former Arizona State Director for John Kerry for President. You can read the full op-ed here.

Wednesday, February 23 — State of the Union Preview Event with Rep. Ruben Gallego, State Senator Raquel Terán, Representative Melody Hernandez and Storytellers. You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• KAET-TV (Cronkite News/PBS-Phoenix): Rep. Gallego and Advocates Discuss Health Care Reforms Ahead of SOTU

FLORIDA

Wednesday, March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Florida Health Care Advocates: You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• Florida Phoenix: FL Dems highlight protection of Obamacare as an issue in 2022 elections
• WFOR-TV (CBS Miami): FL Dems Highlight ACA Protections

Thursday, March 10 — Thursday March 10 at 10AM ET — American Rescue Plan Anniversary Event with Rep. Kathy Castor and FL Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Coverage: 

• WFLA-AM Radio (Tampa): Rep. Castor Marks ARP Anniversary, Calls for Lower Health Care Costs
• News Radio 610 WIOD (Miami): Rep. Castor Marks ARP Anniversary, Calls for Lower Health Care Costs

Thursday, March 3 — Mobile Billboard Circles Florida State Capitol Showing DeSantis Bullying Masked Students.

Coverage: 

• Florida Politics: Mobile billboard displays DeSantis masked student incident around Florida Capitol building

GEORGIA

Tuesday, March 22  — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Interview with Georgia Small Business Owner Himali Patel, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. You can watch Himali’s interview here.

Friday, March 25 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary and Republican Accountability Event Ahead of Trump Rally with Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Democratic Party of Georgia, and Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• FOX 5 (Atlanta): Georgia Democrats Hold News Conference to Call Out Republicans Over Healthcare
• CBS46 (Atlanta): Democrats Hold Meeting Ahead of Trump Visit 
• WSB-TV (Atlanta): Georgia Democrats Rally Virtually Against Trump’s Candidates
• GPB News: Trump’s Republican revenge tour falters in Georgia
• Georgia Recorder: Trump GOP kingmaking power to be tested after Georgia rally

MAINE

Thursday March 24 — Covid Funding Event with ME Healthcare Advocates. You can watch the event here. 

NEVADA

Wednesday, March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Congresswoman Susie Lee, Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow, and Nevada Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Friday, March 11 — American Rescue Plan Anniversary Event with Nevada Providers and Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Wednesday, March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Local New Hampshire Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Friday, March 11 — American Rescue Plan Anniversary Event with NH Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Monday, February 28 — State of the Union Preview Event with NH Policy Experts. You can watch the event here. 

NEW JERSEY

Wednesday March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Assemblywoman Shama Haider and New Jersey Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• Insider NJ: Assemblywoman Haider, Health Care Advocates Call on Congress to Build on Success of the Affordable Care Act and Lower Health Care Costs
• WMBC-TV: NJ Healthcare & the Affordable Care Act

Thursday, March 17 — Covid Funding Bill Accountability Event with Congressman G.K. Butterfield, Wake County Commissioner Maria Cervania,  Deputy Director for Public Health Dr. Susan Kasangra and Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• Cardinal & Pine: Lack of Funding Will Undermine COVID Response, NC Congressman Says
• WNCN: Congressional Funding Battle

Thursday, March 10 — American Rescue Plan Anniversary Event with Assemblyman John Mckeon and New Jersey Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• Insider NJ: Assemblyman John McKeon, Health Care Advocates Urge Passage of Health Care Reforms to Build on Success of American Rescue Plan
• WMBC:  Health Care Reforms to Build on Success of American Rescue Plan

OHIO

Wednesday March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Ohio Providers and Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Thursday, March 17 — Covid Funding Bill Accountability Event with State Rep. Beth Liston, Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak, and Ohio Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Friday, March 11 — American Rescue Plan Anniversary Event with City Councilmembers and Ohio Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Friday, February 25 – SOTU Preview Event with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, State Representative Emilia Sykes, and Ohio Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

PENNSYLVANIA

Friday March 25 — ACA Prescription Drug Event with Rep. Susan Wild and Rep. Dwight Evans with PA Health Care Advocates.

Coverage:

• WFMZ-TV: Levine, Wild visit Bethlehem, urge Congress to pass bills to lower medication costs

Thursday, March 24 — Morning Call Op-ed by Donna Bowers on Lowering Prescription Drug Costs. You can read the full op-ed here.

Wednesday March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Councilwoman Helen Gym and Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• Northeast Times: Gym, others celebrate 12 years of the Affordable Care Act

Wednesday, March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Congressman Matt Cartwright and Advocates.

Coverage:

• Times Leader: On ACA’s 12th anniversary, Cartwright advocates for lower prescription costs
• Yahoo News: On ACA’s 12th anniversary, Cartwright advocates for lower prescription costs

Tuesday, March 22 — DNC Affordable Care Act Anniversary Virtual Event with Congresswoman Susan Wild, State Rep. Bridget Kosierwoski, and Pennsylvania Storytellers. You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Does the GOP want to repeal Obamacare? Take them literally and seriously

Thursday, March 17 — Covid Funding Bill Accountability Event With Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole and PA Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• WHYY: Pa. health care leaders and advocates urge Congress to approve more COVID funding
• WCAU-PHI (NBC10 Philadelphia): Philadelphia Healthcare Commissioner Urges More Covid Funding

Friday, March 4 — Philadelphia Inquirer Op-ed by Zach Sherman on Open Enrollment in PA: Protect Our Care Pennsylvania placed an opinion piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer by executive director of Pennie Zach Sherman, the state ACA health care marketplace. You can read the full op-ed here.

Monday, February 28 — State of the Union Preview Event with Rep. Susan Wild and Pennsylvania Health Care Advocates and Storytellers. You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• WFMZ: President Biden plans to address the nation Tuesday, Rep. Wild taking a stand

WEST VIRGINIA

Thursday March 24 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Local West Virginia Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Thursday, March 17 — Covid Funding Bill Accountability Event With State Senator Dr. Ron Stollings and WV Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Friday, March 11 — American Rescue Plan Anniversary Event with Huntington Mayor Steve Williams and WV Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Thursday, March 10 — Charleston Gazette-Mail Op-Ed by Kat Stoll on the American Rescue Plan Anniversary: Protect Our Care West Virginia placed an opinion piece in the Charleston Gazette-Mail by Kat Stoll, policy director of West Virginians for Affordable Healthcare. You can read the full op-ed here.

Thursday, February 24 — State of the Union Preview Event with West Virginia Health Care Advocates and Storytellers. You can watch the event here.

WISCONSIN

Wednesday March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary and Insulin Costs Event with Congressman Ron Kind, State Senator Brad Pfaff, and Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• WIZM Radio: Area Democrats join call to protect Affordable Care Act, approved 12 years ago
• News8000: U.S. Senate to vote on limiting prescription drug costs, insulin prices in Build Back Better bill
• La Crosse Tribune: ​​Pfaff, Kind urge action to lower health care costs

Wednesday March 23 — WisDems Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with State Democratic Assembly Leader Rep. Greta Neubauer, WisDems Chair Ben Wikler, and Advocates. You can watch the event here.

Coverage:

• WisPolitics: Wisconsin Democrats celebrate ACA anniversary, blast Johnson and GOP for raising costs and fighting coverage
• WKOW-TV(ABC 27): Democrats, supporters of Obamacare rally on 12th anniversary of passage

Wednesday March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, The Committee to Protect Health Care, For Our Future Wisconsin, and Advocates.

Coverage:

• Public News Service: On 12-Year Anniversary of ACA, Wisconsinites Discuss its Impacts

Monday, March 28 — Cap Times Affordable Care Act Anniversary Op-Ed by Dr. Kristin Lyerly. You can read the full op-ed here.

Friday, March 24 — Milwaukee Courier Affordable Care Act Anniversary Op-Ed by Julie Buckholt. You can read the full op-ed here.

Tuesday, March 22 — Up North News Affordable Care Act Anniversary Op-Ed by Joe Zepecki. You can read the full op-ed here.

Tuesday, March 15 — Up North News Op-Ed by Joe Zepecki on the American Rescue Plan Anniversary. You can read the full op-ed here.