News

The Build Back Better Act Will Drive Down Insulin Costs for Millions of Patients

Washington, D.C. — Today, President Biden delivered remarks on the Build Back Better Act’s critical provisions to make insulin more affordable for millions of patients. The historic legislation gives Medicare the power to negotiate for lower insulin prices and caps insulin costs at $35 per month for patients with health insurance. During the event, Iesha Meza, a young Arizonan and type 1 diabetic, told her story of struggling to afford her prescriptions and explained why Build Back Better will help. Here is Iesha sharing her story at a rally with Senator Klobuchar and Protect Our Care in September. Iesha also appeared at Protect Our Care’s “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour stop in Phoenix. 

For decades, high drug prices have been a top concern for Americans from all walks of life. In addition to lowering insulin costs, the Build Back Better Act works to deliver relief to seniors and families  by giving Medicare the power to negotiate, cracking down on outrageous price increases, and capping seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:  

“For too long, diabetics in this country have had to pay far too much to get the medications they depend on. It is unfathomable that, even when insulin costs only a few dollars to produce, drug companies have hiked insulin prices to hundreds of dollars for one month’s supply. With Build Back Better, President Biden and Democrats are working to put an end to Big Pharma’s broken system that has forced patients to choose between putting food on the table and affording the very medications they need to survive. Now, the Senate must work quickly to pass this historic legislation to lower health care costs so millions of families can finally sleep a little easier at night.” 

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 3 AT 12:00 PM ET***

 Manchester, NH — Today, Friday, December 3 at 12:00 PM ET, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and local advocates will join Protect Our Care New Hampshire to discuss open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act and encourage more Granite Staters to enroll in coverage through the ACA Marketplace this year. The affordable plans may be selected at any time until January 15, 2022.

This event is timely as the Build Back Better Act awaits a vote in the Senate. Already passed in the House, this legislation represents the most significant expansion of affordable health care since the passage of the ACA. The legislation includes two top priorities Shaheen secured: provisions from her legislation to expand and enhance the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits and provisions to lower the cost of insulin. The Build Back Better Act also includes historic measures to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expand affordable coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, expand work Medicare benefits, and invest $150 billion in-home care for seniors and people with disabilities. Health care is a fundamental part of the Build Back Better agenda, and the plans to reduce costs and expand care are the top issues for voters.

VIRTUAL EVENT:

WHO:
U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
Elias Ashooh, Project Director of Health Market Connect
Greg White, Chief Executive Officer at Lamprey Health Care
Lisa Beaudoin, Executive Director at ABLE NH

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Discuss Health Provisions in Build Back Better Act and Call for Immediate Passage in the Senate 

WHEN: Friday, December 3 at at 12:00 PM ET

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 AT 10:30 AM CT // 11:30 AM ET***

Wisconsin — On Friday December 3 at 10:30 AM CT // 11:30 AM ET, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ben Wilson of Citizen Action Wisconsin, and patient storytellers, will join Protect Our Care Wisconsin to discuss the House passage of the Build Back Better Act, the most significant expansion of affordable health care since the Affordable Care Act. 

The landmark legislation includes measures to deliver relief to American families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding affordable coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, expanding Medicare benefits, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. During the call, speakers will stress the urgent need for the Senate to move quickly to pass the bill so millions of Americans can finally afford the health care they need.

VIRTUAL EVENT: 

WHO:
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Ben Wilson, Citizen Action Wisconsin
Lillian Cheesman, patient storyteller from La Crosse, WI
Megan Grinde, patient storyteller from La Crosse, WI
Tina Pohlman, patient storyteller from West Allis, WI

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Discuss Health Provisions in Build Back Better Act and Call for Immediate Passage in the Senate 

WHEN: Friday, December 3 at 10:30 AM CT // 11:30 AM ET

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

Protect Our Care held local events praising the House passage of the Build Back Better Act and calling for the Senate to quickly pass the bill. The legislation includes historic measures to strengthen American health care, lower insurance premiums, give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expand affordable coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, expand Medicare benefits, and invest $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. Through press events, Protect Our Care continued to convey that President Biden’s health care priorities are among the most consequential policies to Americans’ health and well-being and remain central to the popularity of the Build Back Better package. 

PENNSYLVANIA 

PRESS EVENT: Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), and Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-07) joined The Pennsylvania Budget & Policy Center and Protect Our Care Pennsylvania on a press call to celebrate the Build Back Better Act passage in the House and urge the U.S. Senate to act quickly to get the bill to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

Watch the Event Here.

Coverage:

• WFMZ News (Philadelphia): Wild, Casey Highlight Potential Impact of Build Back Better Act on Lehigh Valley

NEW JERSEY

PRESS EVENT: U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) and local advocates joined Protect Our Care New Jersey to discuss the House passage of the Build Back Better Act, the most significant expansion of affordable health care since the Affordable Care Act.

Watch the Event Here.

Coverage: 

• Insider NJ: Pallone Has a Build Back Better Message for the U.S. Senate
  NJ 101.5: Pallone Says Build Back Better Would Help With Prescription Costs
  Politico: Senate GOP to Challenge Statehouse Vaccine Mandate
• Tap Into Piscataway: Congressman Pallone: Build Back Better Act to Lower Prescription Drug Health Care Costs 
• WMBC News: Pallone Health Care

GEORGIA

PRESS EVENT: U.S. Representative Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA-07) and local advocates joined Protect Our Care Georgia for a press conference to share stories about their experiences with the Medicaid coverage gap and highlight how Congresswoman Boudreaux’s work to expand Medicaid and close the coverage gap through the Build Back Better Act will benefit Georgians.

Watch the Event Here.

Coverage:

• The Albany Herald: ​​Insurance Provisions in Build Back Better Would Be ‘Game-Changer’ for Georgia
• Gwinnett Daily Post: U.S. Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux: Build Back Better Act Will Address Insurance Coverage Gap in Georgia
• Georgia Health News: Rep. Bourdeaux Says Dems’ Bill Would Be ‘Game Changer’ for Georgia, Uninsured
• WABE (NPR Atlanta): Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux Discusses Closing the Medicaid Gap in Build Back Better Act
• WSB-TV (ABC Atlanta): Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux Discusses Build Back Better/Closing Medicaid Gap in Lawrenceville

ARIZONA

PRESS EVENT: U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-07) and local advocates will join Protect Our Care Arizona and Honest Arizona to discuss the House passage of the Build Back Better Act and stress the urgent need for the Senate to move quickly to pass the bill so millions of Americans can finally afford the health care they need.

Watch the Event Here.

Coverage: 

• Cronkite News: The Build Back Better Bill and Prescription Drug Costs
• ABC News: Here Is How AZ Democrats Are Starting to Sell President Biden’s $1.75t Plan: Prescription Prices
• KTAZ (Telemundo Phoenix): El Congresista Por Arizona Ruben Gallego en Conjunto Con Honest Arizona, Y Protect Our Care Llevaron a Cabo Una Conferencia Donde Tocaron El Tema Del Precio de Los Medicamentos

House Republicans Voted to Deny Affordable Health Care for Millions of Working Families

Read a Sample State Release Here.

Washington, D.C. — On November 19, the House passed the historic Build Back Better Act without a single Republican vote. By opposing Build Back Better, Republicans voted against driving down health care costs, lowering prescription drug prices, expanding coverage to millions, improving care for seniors, and leveling the playing field for working families. The health care measures are the most popular provisions in the entire bill and are widely supported by voters from all parties.

This week, Protect Our Care is launching an ongoing campaign to hold vulnerable Republican members accountable starting with the 21 members listed below. Protect Our Care will educate constituents on the vote their member of Congress took to raise drug costs, raise insurance premiums, deny coverage to millions, and deny hearing benefits for seniors.

“Time and again, Republicans have failed the American people on health care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Americans from all walks of life support policies to lower drug prices, expand coverage, improve care for seniors, and level the playing field for working families, but Republicans continue to put industry profits ahead of their constituents. By opposing Build Back Better, Republicans proved they are out of touch with the economic and health worries that keep families up at night. Just like their attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act, this vote will haunt the GOP for years to come.”

Protect Our Care’s campaign is focused on the following Republican members of Congress:

David Schweikert (AZ-06)
Mike Garcia (CA-25)
Young Kim (CA-39)
Michelle Steel (CA-48)
David Valadao (CA-21)
Carlos Gimenez (FL-26)
María Elvira Salazar (FL-27)
Ashley Hinson (IA-01)
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02)
Andy Harris (MD-01)
Ann Wagner (MO-02)
Ted Budd (NC-13)
Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02)
Andrew Garbarino (NY-02)
John Katko (NY-24)
Claudia Tenney (NY-22)
Steve Chabot (OH-01)
Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01)
Scott Perry (PA-10)
Tony Gonzales (TX-23)
Beth Van Duyne (TX-24)

Salisbury, MD — The Build Back Better Act will deliver long-overdue relief to Maryland families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding Medicare benefits to cover hearing, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. By voting against Build Back Better, Representative Andy Harris (MD-01), voted against lowering health care costs for working families — despite overwhelming support from his own constituents. 

“Time and again, Rep. Harris has failed the people of Maryland on health care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Marylanders from all walks of life support policies to lower drug prices, expand coverage, improve care for seniors, and level the playing field for working families, but Rep. Harris continues to put industry profits ahead of his constituents. By opposing Build Back Better, Rep. Harris proved he is out of touch with the economic and health worries that keep families up at night. Just like his attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act, this vote will haunt Rep. Harris for years to come.” 

Here’s what Rep. Harris’s vote against Build Back Better means for Maryland: 

Rep. Harris Voted For Higher Drug Prices 

Rep. Harris Opposed Giving Medicare The Power To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices. For nearly 20 years, Medicare has been banned from negotiating the price of prescription drugs, and Big Pharma has been able to dictate prices while Americans pay three times more for their medications than people in other countries. Rep. Harris voted with his Big Pharma allies to continue to block Medicare from negotiating the prices for select drugs purchased at the pharmacy counter and administered at the doctor’s office. 

Rep. Harris Opposed Capping Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Seniors. Rep. Harris voted against helping seniors with serious conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis save thousands of dollars on prescriptions, by opposing the Build Back Better Act which caps Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year beginning in 2024. 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Lowering the Price of Insulin. Rep. Harris opposed capping insulin co-pays for all Americans with insurance at $35 each month. 

Rep. Harris Voted To Allow Unlimited Price Increases On Prescription Drugs. Rep. Harris voted against stopping Big Pharma from raising prices faster than the rate of inflation as part of the Build Back Better Act. This cap will apply to all Americans, no matter whether you are insured or not, and no matter what kind of insurance you have, and is essential to stop arbitrary price increases on essential medications. 

Rep. Harris Voted For Higher Health Insurance Premiums 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Helping Nine Million Americans Save On Monthly Premiums. Rep. Harris voted against helping nine million Americans save an average of $600 annually on their premiums when they buy insurance on their own through the ACA Marketplaces. For a family of four making $80,000 a year, premiums will drop nearly $250 a month, or nearly $3,000 a year. 

Rep. Harris Opposed Premium Relief For Middle Income Families. The Build Back Better ensures families above will pay no more than 8.5 percent of their income towards health coverage. This will help middle-income families facing excessive premiums or living in high-premium areas.

Rep. Harris Voted Against Expanding Medicare Benefits

Rep. Harris Voted Against Giving Access To Hearing Care To Millions Of Seniors. Rep. Harris voted against adding hearing coverage to Medicare Part B starting in 2023. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that a Medicare hearing benefit could aid all 62 million Medicare beneficiaries, particularly the 36 million purchasing coverage on their own or simply going without.

Rep. Harris Opposed Health Care For Mothers 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Providing 12 Months Of Continuous Coverage To Women Following Childbirth.  Rep. Harris voted to deny 12 months of continuous coverage to postpartum women on Medicaid. In 2018, 45 percent of births were paid for by Medicaid, with 50 percent or more births covered by the program in 22 states. Medicaid covers 65 percent of all births to Black mothers. 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Funding Health Equity Measures To Reduce Maternal Deaths. The Build Back Better Act includes $295 million to bolster and diversify the perinatal health workforce, including funding for midwives and doulas whose involvement is essential to reducing maternal deaths. An additional $100 million has been included for maternal mental health equity and $50 million for maternal health research at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Rep. Harris Voted Against Extending And Protecting Health Insurance Coverage for Children (CHIP) 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Permanent Funding For The Children’s Health Insurance Program. Rep. Harris voted against the Build Back Better Act, which provides for a permanent extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Keeping Children on Medicaid For A Full Year. The Build Back Better Act requires states to provide 12-month continuous coverage for children on Medicaid and CHIP. States that don’t provide continuous coverage experience increased churn, or children who dis-enrolled and re-enrolled in coverage within the same year. 

Rep. Harris Voted Against Expanding Home And Community-Based Services To Allow Americans To Grow Old At Home 

Rep. Harris Opposed Allowing Millions of Americans To Grow Old At Home. Medicaid is currently the largest provider of home and community-based care, providing essential services to seniors and people with disabilities. Rep. Harris voted against the Build Back Better Act, which will provide an additional $150 billion for home and community-based services, that would provide care to the 2.5 million Americans already participating in the program, and help alleviate the current waitlist of more than 800,000 individuals. Federally provided home and community-based services funds helped more than 100,000 individuals return to their homes and communities from nursing facilities between 2008 and 2019, highlighting the enormous need for Build Back Better to strengthen this essential program.

Rep. Harris Voted Against Helping Families Save An Estimated $5,800 In Home Care Costs. Older Americans and people with disabilities are often forced to liquidate their assets to afford as little as two years of in-home care. The HCBS provisions included in the Build Back Better Act will save families paying out-of-pocket an estimated $5,800 a year for four hours of care per week.

Albany, NY — The Build Back Better Act will deliver long-overdue relief to New York families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding Medicare benefits to cover hearing, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. By voting against Build Back Better, Representatives Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), and John Katko (NY-24) voted against lowering health care costs for working families — despite overwhelming support from their own constituents. 

“Time and again, Republicans are failing the people of New York on health care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “New Yorkers from all walks of life support policies to lower drug prices, expand coverage, improve care for seniors, and level the playing field for working families, but Republicans continue to put industry profits ahead of their constituents. By opposing Build Back Better, Republicans proved they are out of touch with the economic and health worries that keep families up at night. Just like their attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act, this vote will haunt the GOP for years to come.” 

Here’s what Republicans’ vote against Build Back Better means: 

Republicans Voted For Higher Drug Prices 

Republicans Opposed Giving Medicare The Power To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices. For nearly 20 years, Medicare has been banned from negotiating the price of prescription drugs, and Big Pharma has been able to dictate prices while Americans pay three times more for their medications than people in other countries. Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko voted with their Big Pharma allies to continue to block Medicare from negotiating the prices for select drugs purchased at the pharmacy counter and administered at the doctor’s office. 

Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko Opposed Capping Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Seniors. Republicans voted against helping seniors with serious conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis save thousands of dollars on prescriptions, by opposing the Build Back Better Act which caps Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year beginning in 2024. 

Republicans Voted Against Lowering the Price of Insulin. Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko opposed capping insulin co-pays for all Americans with insurance at $35 each month. 

Republicans Voted To Allow Unlimited Price Increases On Prescription Drugs. Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko voted against stopping Big Pharma from raising prices faster than the rate of inflation as part of the Build Back Better Act. This cap will apply to all Americans, no matter whether you are insured or not, and no matter what kind of insurance you have, and is essential to stop arbitrary price increases on essential medications. 

Republicans Voted For Higher Health Insurance Premiums 

Republicans Voted Against Helping Nine Million Americans Save On Monthly Premiums. Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko voted against helping nine million Americans save an average of $600 annually on their premiums when they buy insurance on their own through the ACA Marketplaces. For a family of four making $80,000 a year, premiums will drop nearly $250 a month, or nearly $3,000 a year. 

Republicans Opposed Premium Relief For Middle Income Families. The Build Back Better ensures families above will pay no more than 8.5 percent of their income towards health coverage. This will help middle-income families facing excessive premiums or living in high-premium areas.

Republicans Voted Against Expanding Medicare Benefits

Republicans Voted Against Giving Access To Hearing Care To Millions Of Seniors. Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko voted against adding hearing coverage to Medicare Part B starting in 2023. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that a Medicare hearing benefit could aid all 62 million Medicare beneficiaries, particularly the 36 million purchasing coverage on their own or simply going without.

Republicans Opposed Health Care For Mothers 

Republicans Voted Against Providing 12 Months Of Continuous Coverage To Women Following Childbirth.  Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko voted to deny 12 months of continuous coverage to postpartum women on Medicaid. In 2018, 45 percent of births were paid for by Medicaid, with 50 percent or more births covered by the program in 22 states. Medicaid covers 65 percent of all births to Black mothers. 

Republicans Voted Against Funding Health Equity Measures To Reduce Maternal Deaths. The Build Back Better Act includes $295 million to bolster and diversify the perinatal health workforce, including funding for midwives and doulas whose involvement is essential to reducing maternal deaths. An additional $100 million has been included for maternal mental health equity and $50 million for maternal health research at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Republicans Voted Against Extending And Protecting Health Insurance Coverage for Children (CHIP) 

Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko Voted Against Permanent Funding For The Children’s Health Insurance Program. Republicans voted against the Build Back Better Act, which provides for a permanent extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Republicans Voted Against Keeping Children on Medicaid For A Full Year. The Build Back Better Act requires states to provide 12-month continuous coverage for children on Medicaid and CHIP. States that don’t provide continuous coverage experience increased churn, or children who dis-enrolled and re-enrolled in coverage within the same year. 

Republicans Voted Against Expanding Home And Community-Based Services To Allow Americans To Grow Old At Home 

Representatives Garbarino, Tenney, and Katko Opposed Allowing Millions of Americans To Grow Old At Home. Medicaid is currently the largest provider of home and community-based care, providing essential services to seniors and people with disabilities. Republicans voted against the Build Back Better Act, which will provide an additional $150 billion for home and community-based services, that would provide care to the 2.5 million Americans already participating in the program, and help alleviate the current waitlist of more than 800,000 individuals. Federally provided home and community-based services funds helped more than 100,000 individuals return to their homes and communities from nursing facilities between 2008 and 2019, highlighting the enormous need for Build Back Better to strengthen this essential program.

Republicans Voted Against Helping Families Save An Estimated $5,800 In Home Care Costs. Older Americans and people with disabilities are often forced to liquidate their assets to afford as little as two years of in-home care. The HCBS provisions included in the Build Back Better Act will save families paying out-of-pocket an estimated $5,800 a year for four hours of care per week.

Austin, TX — The Build Back Better Act will deliver long-overdue relief to Texas families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding affordable coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, expanding Medicare benefits to cover hearing, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. By voting against Build Back Better, Representatives Beth Van Duyne (TX-24) and Tony Gonzales (TX-23) voted against lowering health care costs for working families — despite overwhelming support from their own constituents. 

“Time and again, Republicans are failing the people of Texas on health care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Texans from all walks of life support policies to lower drug prices, expand coverage, improve care for seniors, and level the playing field for working families, but Republicans continue to put industry profits ahead of their constituents. By opposing Build Back Better, Reps. Van Duyane and Gonzales proved they are out of touch with the economic and health worries that keep families up at night. Just like their attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act, this vote will haunt the GOP for years to come.” 

Here’s what Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales vote against Build Back Better means: 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted For Higher Drug Prices 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Opposed Giving Medicare The Power To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices. For nearly 20 years, Medicare has been banned from negotiating the price of prescription drugs, and Big Pharma has been able to dictate prices while Americans pay three times more for their medications than people in other countries. Republicans voted with their Big Pharma allies to continue to block Medicare from negotiating the prices for select drugs purchased at the pharmacy counter and administered at the doctor’s office. 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Opposed Capping Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Seniors. Republicans voted against helping seniors with serious conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis save thousands of dollars on prescriptions, by opposing the Build Back Better Act which caps Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year beginning in 2024. 

Republicans Voted Against Lowering the Price of Insulin. Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales opposed capping insulin co-pays for all Americans with insurance at $35 each month. 

Republicans Voted To Allow Unlimited Price Increases On Prescription Drugs. Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales voted against stopping Big Pharma from raising prices faster than the rate of inflation as part of the Build Back Better Act. This cap will apply to all Americans, no matter whether you are insured or not, and no matter what kind of insurance you have, and is essential to stop arbitrary price increases on essential medications. 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted For Higher Health Insurance Premiums 

Republicans Voted Against Helping Nine Million Americans Save On Monthly Premiums. Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales voted against helping nine million Americans save an average of $600 annually on their premiums when they buy insurance on their own through the ACA Marketplaces. For a family of four making $80,000 a year, premiums will drop nearly $250 a month, or nearly $3,000 a year. 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Opposed Premium Relief For Middle Income Families. The Build Back Better ensures families above will pay no more than 8.5 percent of their income towards health coverage. This will help middle-income families facing excessive premiums or living in high-premium areas.

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted To Deny Health Care To Millions

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted To Block Expanding Health Coverage For Millions Of Americans. The Congressional Budget Office estimates BBB will increase ACA enrollment by 3.6 million people including 1.4 million who would otherwise be uninsured and 600,000 would have received unsubsidized coverage.

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted To Deny Coverage To 2.2 Million Americans In The Medicaid Gap. Closing the Medicaid coverage gap is the single most important step in reducing racial inequities in our health care system. Republicans voted to deny health insurance to more than two million Americans currently trapped in the Medicaid coverage gap. Build Back Better ensures millions of low-income working people will no longer be denied coverage just because of where they live.

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted Against Expanding Medicare Benefits

Republicans Voted Against Giving Access To Hearing Care To Millions Of Seniors. Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales voted against adding hearing coverage to Medicare Part B starting in 2023. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that a Medicare hearing benefit could aid all 62 million Medicare beneficiaries, particularly the 36 million purchasing coverage on their own or simply going without.

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Opposed Health Care For Mothers 

Republicans Voted Against Providing 12 Months Of Continuous Coverage To Women Following Childbirth.  Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales voted to deny 12 months of continuous coverage to postpartum women on Medicaid. In 2018, 45 percent of births were paid for by Medicaid, with 50 percent or more births covered by the program in 22 states. Medicaid covers 65 percent of all births to Black mothers. 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted Against Funding Health Equity Measures To Reduce Maternal Deaths. The Build Back Better Act includes $295 million to bolster and diversify the perinatal health workforce, including funding for midwives and doulas whose involvement is essential to reducing maternal deaths. An additional $100 million has been included for maternal mental health equity and $50 million for maternal health research at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted Against Extending And Protecting Health Insurance Coverage for Children (CHIP) 

Republicans Voted Against Permanent Funding For The Children’s Health Insurance Program. Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales voted against the Build Back Better Act, which provides for a permanent extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Republicans Voted Against Keeping Children on Medicaid For A Full Year. The Build Back Better Act requires states to provide 12-month continuous coverage for children on Medicaid and CHIP. States that don’t provide continuous coverage experience increased churn, or children who dis-enrolled and re-enrolled in coverage within the same year. 

Republicans Voted Against Expanding Home And Community-Based Services To Allow Americans To Grow Old At Home 

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Opposed Allowing Millions of Americans To Grow Old At Home. Medicaid is currently the largest provider of home and community-based care, providing essential services to seniors and people with disabilities. Republicans voted against the Build Back Better Act, which will provide an additional $150 billion for home and community-based services, that would provide care to the 2.5 million Americans already participating in the program, and help alleviate the current waitlist of more than 800,000 individuals. Federally provided home and community-based services funds helped more than 100,000 individuals return to their homes and communities from nursing facilities between 2008 and 2019, highlighting the enormous need for Build Back Better to strengthen this essential program.

Representatives Van Duyne and Gonzales Voted Against Helping Families Save An Estimated $5,800 In Home Care Costs. Older Americans and people with disabilities are often forced to liquidate their assets to afford as little as two years of in-home care. The HCBS provisions included in the Build Back Better Act will save families paying out-of-pocket an estimated $5,800 a year for four hours of care per week.

Des Moines, IA — The Build Back Better Act will deliver long-overdue relief to Iowa families by lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expanding Medicare benefits to cover hearing, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. By voting against Build Back Better, Representatives Ashley Hinson (IA-01) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) voted against lowering health care costs for working families — despite overwhelming support from their own constituents. 

“Time and again, Republicans have failed the people of Iowa on health care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Iowans from all walks of life support policies to lower drug prices, expand coverage, improve care for seniors, and level the playing field for working families, but Republicans continue to put industry profits ahead of their constituents. By opposing Build Back Better, Republicans proved they are out of touch with the economic and health worries that keep families up at night. Just like Republican attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act, this vote will haunt the GOP for years to come.” 

Here’s what Republicans’ vote against Build Back Better means for Iowa: 

Rep.s Hinson and Miller-Meeks Voted For Higher Drug Prices 

Republicans Opposed Giving Medicare The Power To Negotiate Lower Drug Prices. For nearly 20 years, Medicare has been banned from negotiating the price of prescription drugs, and Big Pharma has been able to dictate prices while Americans pay three times more for their medications than people in other countries. Republicans voted with their Big Pharma allies to continue to block Medicare from negotiating the prices for select drugs purchased at the pharmacy counter and administered at the doctor’s office. 

Republicans Opposed Capping Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Seniors. Republicans voted against helping seniors with serious conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis save thousands of dollars on prescriptions, by opposing the Build Back Better Act which caps Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year beginning in 2024. 

Republicans Voted Against Lowering the Price of Insulin. Republicans opposed capping insulin co-pays for all Americans with insurance at $35 each month. 

Republicans Voted To Allow Unlimited Price Increases On Prescription Drugs. Republicans voted against stopping Big Pharma from raising prices faster than the rate of inflation as part of the Build Back Better Act. This cap will apply to all Americans, no matter whether you are insured or not, and no matter what kind of insurance you have, and is essential to stop arbitrary price increases on essential medications. 

Rep.s Hinson and Miller-Meeks Voted For Higher Health Insurance Premiums 

Republicans Voted Against Helping Nine Million Americans Save On Monthly Premiums. Republicans voted against helping nine million Americans save an average of $600 annually on their premiums when they buy insurance on their own through the ACA Marketplaces. For a family of four making $80,000 a year, premiums will drop nearly $250 a month, or nearly $3,000 a year. 

Republicans Opposed Premium Relief For Middle Income Families. The Build Back Better ensures families above will pay no more than 8.5 percent of their income towards health coverage. This will help middle-income families facing excessive premiums or living in high-premium areas.

Rep.s Hinson and Miller-Meeks Voted Against Expanding Medicare Benefits

Republicans Voted Against Giving Access To Hearing Care To Millions Of Seniors. Republicans voted against adding hearing coverage to Medicare Part B starting in 2023. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that a Medicare hearing benefit could aid all 62 million Medicare beneficiaries, particularly the 36 million purchasing coverage on their own or simply going without.

Rep.s Hinson and Miller-Meeks Opposed Health Care For Mothers 

Republicans Voted Against Providing 12 Months Of Continuous Coverage To Women Following Childbirth.  Republicans voted to deny 12 months of continuous coverage to postpartum women on Medicaid. In 2018, 45 percent of births were paid for by Medicaid, with 50 percent or more births covered by the program in 22 states. Medicaid covers 65 percent of all births to Black mothers. 

Republicans Voted Against Funding Health Equity Measures To Reduce Maternal Deaths. The Build Back Better Act includes $295 million to bolster and diversify the perinatal health workforce, including funding for midwives and doulas whose involvement is essential to reducing maternal deaths. An additional $100 million has been included for maternal mental health equity and $50 million for maternal health research at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Rep.s Hinson and Miller-Meeks Voted Against Extending And Protecting Health Insurance Coverage for Children (CHIP) 

Republicans Voted Against Permanent Funding For The Children’s Health Insurance Program. Republicans voted against the Build Back Better Act, which provides for a permanent extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Republicans Voted Against Keeping Children on Medicaid For A Full Year. The Build Back Better Act requires states to provide 12-month continuous coverage for children on Medicaid and CHIP. States that don’t provide continuous coverage experience increased churn, or children who dis-enrolled and re-enrolled in coverage within the same year. 

Rep.s Hinson and Miller-Meeks Voted Against Expanding Home And Community-Based Services To Allow Americans To Grow Old At Home 

Republicans Opposed Allowing Millions of Americans To Grow Old At Home. Medicaid is currently the largest provider of home and community-based care, providing essential services to seniors and people with disabilities. Republicans voted against the Build Back Better Act, which will provide an additional $150 billion for home and community-based services, that would provide care to the 2.5 million Americans already participating in the program, and help alleviate the current waitlist of more than 800,000 individuals. Federally provided home and community-based services funds helped more than 100,000 individuals return to their homes and communities from nursing facilities between 2008 and 2019, highlighting the enormous need for Build Back Better to strengthen this essential program.

Republicans Voted Against Helping Families Save An Estimated $5,800 In Home Care Costs. Older Americans and people with disabilities are often forced to liquidate their assets to afford as little as two years of in-home care. The HCBS provisions included in the Build Back Better Act will save families paying out-of-pocket an estimated $5,800 a year for four hours of care per week.