News

Rep. Wagner Voted for Higher Drug Prices and Higher Insurance Premiums for Missouri

St. Louis, MO — The Build Back Better Act will deliver long-overdue relief to Missouri 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, Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-02) voted against lowering health care costs for working families — despite overwhelming support from her own constituents. 

“Time and again, Rep. Wagner has failed the people of Missouri on health care,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Missourians 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, Rep. Wagner proved she is out of touch with the economic and health worries that keep families up at night. Just like her attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act, this vote will haunt Rep. Wagner for years to come.” 

Here’s what Rep. Wagner’s vote against Build Back Better means: 

Rep. Wagner Voted For Higher Drug Prices 

Rep. Wagner 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. Wagner voted with her 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. Wagner Opposed Capping Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Seniors. Rep. Wagner 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. Wagner Voted Against Lowering the Price of Insulin. Rep. Wagner opposed capping insulin co-pays for all Americans with insurance at $35 each month. 

Rep. Wagner Voted To Allow Unlimited Price Increases On Prescription Drugs. Rep. Wagner 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. Wagner Voted For Higher Health Insurance Premiums 

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Helping Nine Million Americans Save On Monthly Premiums. Rep. Wagner 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. Wagner 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. Wagner Voted Against Expanding Medicare Benefits

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Giving Access To Hearing Care To Millions Of Seniors. Rep. Wagner 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. Wagner Opposed Health Care For Mothers 

Rep. Wagner Voted Against Providing 12 Months Of Continuous Coverage To Women Following Childbirth.  Rep. Wagner 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. Wagner 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. Wagner Voted Against Extending And Protecting Health Insurance Coverage for Children (CHIP) 

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

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

Rep. Wagner 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. Wagner 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. Wagner 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.

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 29 AT 12:00 PM ET***

TODAY: Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux and Local Advocates to Highlight How Closing the Coverage Gap through the Build Back Better Act Will Impact Georgians

Lawrenceville, GA —  Today, Monday November 29 at 12:00 PM ET, Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA-07) will host a press conference at the Lawrenceville Health Center in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Local health care professionals, patients, and advocates will join Congresswoman Bourdeaux 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. 

PRESS EVENT:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA-07)
Chad Wasdin, Gwinnett Health Department Communications Director
Laura Colbert, Georgians for a Healthy Future Executive Director
Liz Ernst, Protect Our Care Georgia State Director
Local Advocates

WHAT: Press Conference to Highlight How Closing the Coverage Gap through the Build Back Better Act Will Impact Georgians

WHEN: Monday November 29 at 12:00 PM ET

WHERE: Lawrenceville Health Center, 455 Grayson Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Every Republican in the House Voted for Higher Drug Prices, Higher Insurance Premiums, and to Deny Health Care to Millions

Washington, D.C. — The Build Back Better Act will deliver long-overdue 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 to cover hearing, and investing $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. By voting against Build Back Better, every single Republican in the House voted against lowering health care costs for working families — despite overwhelming support from their own constituents. 

“Time and again, Republicans are failing 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.” 

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. 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. 

Republicans 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.

Republicans Voted To Deny Health Care To Millions

Republicans 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.

Republicans 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.

Republicans 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.

Republicans 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.

Republicans 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. 

Republicans 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.

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 29 AT 10:30 AM ET***

TODAY: Chairman Frank Pallone and Health Advocates to Discuss Historic Health Provisions in Build Back Better Act and Call for Immediate Passage in the Senate  

New Jersey —  Today, Monday November 29 at 10:30 AM ET, U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) and local advocates will join Protect Our Care New Jersey and Honest Arizona 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.

PRESS EVENT:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06)
Mayor Brian C. Wahler, Township of Piscataway
Stephanie Hunsinger, AARP New Jersey State Director
Maura Collinsgru, New Jersey Citizen Action Health Care Program Director
Lisa Ann Trainor, Patient Advocate 

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

WHEN: Monday November 29 at 10:30 AM ETWHERE: Piscataway Township Senior Center, 700 Buena Vista Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 0885

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 23 AT 11:00 AM MST // 1:00 PM EST ***

Phoenix, AZ —  Today, Wednesday November 23 at 11:00 AM MT // 1:00 PM ET, 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, 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.

PRESS EVENT: 

WHO:
U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-07)
Teresa Dickinson, Melrose Pharmacy Owner
Honest Arizona
Iesha Meza, Arizona Patient and Advocate
Protect Our Care Arizona 

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

WHEN: Tuesday, November 23 at 11:00 AM MT // 1:00 PM ET

WHERE: Melrose Pharmacy, 706 W. Montecito Ave. #2814, Phoenix, AZ 85013

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 23 AT 11:00 AM EST***

Philadelphia, PA — Today, Tuesday November 23 at 11:00 AM EST, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) will join 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.

The Build Back Better Act will directly impact Pennsylvanians by improving the affordability and accessibility of health and family care, creating good paying jobs, and addressing the threats posed by climate change. During the call, speakers will stress the urgent need for the Senate to move quickly to pass the bill so that Pennsylvanians, and Americans across the nation, can finally afford the health care they need.

VIRTUAL EVENT:
WHO:
U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)
Marc Stier, Director of Pennsylvania Budget & Policy Center
Stephen Herzenberg, Executive Director of Keystone Research Center
Michael Berman, Protect Our Care Pennsylvania State Director

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

WHEN: Tuesday, November 23 at 11:00 AM EST

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

COSPONSORS:
The 99% Pennsylvania Campaign of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center Conservation
Voters of Pennsylvania
MomsRising
Protect Our Care Pennsylvania
ReImaging Appalachia
SEIU Pennsylvania State Council
United Home Care Workers of Pennsylvania

Reactions From Democratic Lawmakers Underscore Importance of Build Back Better’s Measures to Lower Health Care Costs for American Families

Today, House Democrats passed the historic Build Back Better Act, which will dramatically lower health care costs and expand coverage for working families nationwide. The landmark legislation lowers insurance premiums, gives Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expands affordable coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, provides historic investments in maternal health, expands Medicare benefits to cover hearing, and invests $150 billion in home care for seniors and people with disabilities. Thanks to the Build Back Better Act, millions of families can sleep easier knowing they will be able to afford the health care they need.

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD-05): “I was proud to bring the historic Build Back Better Act to the floor to deliver affordable child care, universal pre-K, lower health care costs, and address the climate crisis.” [@LeaderHoyer, 11/19/21]

Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA-07): “Tonight, millions of Americans can sleep a little easier knowing that they will soon be able to afford many more lifesaving prescription drugs.” [@RepSusanWild, 11/19/21]

Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14): “I’m glad to support this once-in-a-generation chance to cut health care and Rx drug costs, reduce costs for families, and ensure corporations and the wealthiest pay their fair share.” [@RepUnderwood, 11/19/21]

Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX-32): “Texans expect results and today I voted to deliver on lowering the cost of prescription drugs, finally expanding health coverage to the nearly 1 million Texans who have been denied Medicaid, paid family leave, universal pre-K, and making child care more affordable.” [@RepColinAllred, 11/19/21]

Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA-07): “The Build Back Better Act has passed the House!d For GA, I voted to deliver universal pre-K, Medicaid coverage opportunities to more than 600,000 Georgians, reduced health care premiums, and extending the child tax cut.” [@RepBourdeaux, 11/19/21]

Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA-06): “This historic investment will set us on a course to create millions of good-paying jobs, lower health care costs for our communities, provide tax cuts to hard-working families, and get Americans back to work and America back to normal.” [@RepLucyMcBath, 11/19/21]

Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA-03): “I promised to fight for lower prescription drug costs, and that’s why the Build Back Better Act caps monthly insulin costs at $35 and senior’s out of pocket Rx costs at $2,000 per year, penalizes drug companies for spiking drug prices, and Medicare can now negotiate drug prices!” [@RepCindyAxne, 11/19/21]

Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN-02): “I’m pleased that the Build Back Better Act contains a number of my district’s priorities to expand access and lower the cost of health care, invest in working families and provide support to rural communities and family farmers.” [@RepAngieCraig, 11/19/21]

Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ-03): “Congressman Kim voted to pass the Build Back Better Act to lower everyday costs for working families, create jobs, cut taxes, lower health care costs, confront climate change, and secure a brighter future for our children.” [@RepAndyKimNJ, 11/19/21]

Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV-03): “We just passed the Build Back Better Act to make one of the most transformative investments in the middle class in our nation’s history. This bill will help our working families, fight climate change, expand access to affordable health care, and create millions of jobs.” [@RepSusieLee, 11/19/21]

Rep. Conor Lamb (D-PA-17): “Today the House kept our promise and passed the Build Back Better Act. This historic legislation will lower Rx prices, extend the Child Tax Credit, invest in clean energy, expand HCBS, and create new jobs. This is a huge win for PA-17 and all of Pennsylvania!” [@RepConorLamb, 11/19/21]

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07): “I’ve long championed many provisions found in the Build Back Better framework – lowering prescription drug prices, extending the refundable Child Tax Credit, and tackling the climate crisis.” [@RepSpanberger, 11/19/21]

Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07): “The Build Back Better Act delivers meaningful results for Houston families, lowering costs for health, child, and family care; investing in our kids’ education and opportunities; and expanding access to heath care. People in TX-07 and across the country will benefit for years to come.” [@RepFletcher, 11/19/21]

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-8): “This bill also breaks the seal on addressing the out-of-control costs of prescription drugs by finally allowing Medicare Part B and D to begin negotiating for lower prices. It also puts a cap on the monthly cost of insulin at $35 per month, while seniors’ out-of-pocket costs on medications will be capped at no more than $2,000 per year – a monumental step that will change millions of lives.” [@RepSlotkin, 11/19/21]

Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY-04): “After taking appropriate time to review the bill and its corresponding estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, today I voted to advance the Build Back Better Act. There are many policies in this bill that will improve the lives of my constituents, especially the agreement I helped finalize to allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices for seniors, and the historic investments to combat climate change.” [@RepKathleenRice, 11/19/21]

Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA-10): “The House just sent the Build Back Better Act to the Senate! Passing this means new good-paying jobs in the Valley, capping insulin at $35 a month, 1 million new affordable homes, fighting climate change, and is paid for by making corporations pay their fair share.” [@RepJoshHarder, 11/19/21]

Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA-49): “The Build Back Better Act is going to make it easier to afford basic living expenses like prescription drugs, child care, and housing. Families struggling to put food on the table will get more help thanks to provisions similar to my Stop Child Hunger Act, and extending the Child Tax Credit will give families a tax cut to help cover the costs of raising kids.” [@RepMikeLevin, 11/19/21]

Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05): “The Build Back Better Act helps families raising children; those seeking better educational and employment opportunities; lowers prescription costs, expands affordable housing, childcare, and healthcare; provides paid family leave and addresses climate change.” [@RepJahanaHayes, 11/19/21]

Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH-01): “Build Back Better lowers the cost of prescription drugs by letting Medicare negotiate with drug companies, capping costs, and reducing premiums. We are making good on promises to stand up to the drug companies and lower prices.” [@RepChrisPappas, 11/19/21]

Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA-08): “I just voted for the Build Back Better Act! This historic bill will down the cost of health care and prescription drugs, set the U.S. on course to meet its climate goals, create millions of family wage jobs, and ensure families have access to affordable, quality child care and pre-K.” [@RepKimSchrier, 11/19/21]

Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL-09): “Our historic Build Back Better Act has passed. House Democrats worked hard to deliver a bill that will lower the everyday costs that burden working families and make investments to expand and improve health care, combat climate change, and extend the Child Tax Credit, and more.” [@RepDarrenSoto, 11/19/21]

Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN-04): “This bill will help combat the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs while also expanding access to quality health care. It will finally address the unmet needs of millions of Americans who seek care for a loved one. The pandemic has made it clear: there is a gaping hole in our economic system without support for caregiving. Families should not have to decide between caring for loved ones and maintaining steady employment.” [@BettyMcCollum04, 11/19/21]

 Build Back Better Act Includes Historic Measures That Will Dramatically Lower Health Care Costs and Expand Coverage for Working Families

Watch the Event Here.

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) joined Protect Our Care to mark the passage of the Build Back Better Act in the House and to call on the Senate to work quickly to pass this historic legislation. During the call, speakers highlighted the bill’s key health care measures, including lowering insurance premiums, giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, providing historic investments in maternal health, 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 passing Build Back Better, Democrats delivered on their promises to lower health care costs and level the playing field for working families.   

“One of the most significant things about this bill is that it fulfills a lot of the things that we wanted to do years ago with the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and Medicare,” said Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06). “The Build Back Better Act extends the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium subsidies to help people afford their insurance on the marketplace. The bill closes the coverage gap to help people in red states finally access Medicaid. Build Back Better also allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices, and Medicare will now cover hearing aids. These are all incredible changes to our health care system that will save lives.” 

“Thanks to the Build Back Better Act, millions of Americans who do not have access to health care are going to be able to see a doctor, afford their prescription drugs, and have a baby safely,” said U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02). “Alongside my colleagues, I’ve been working so hard to ensure that we close the Medicaid coverage gap and bring health care to people living in states that have them locked out of Medicaid. Where someone lives should not determine whether or not they can see a doctor or get treatment for their children when they have a cold. When everyone has access to affordable health care, we all stay safer and healthier, and we save our health care system and our economy money in the long run.”

“Today has been nothing short of historic. The Build Back Better Act we passed in the House will extend the lower out-of-pocket health premiums I championed in the American Rescue Plan, and it makes the largest investment in history to save moms’ lives and advance birth equity across the United States,” said U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14). “The Build Back Better Act extends advanced premium tax credit enhancements to 2025, ensuring that more people can be covered with lower out-of-pocket costs than ever before. Families across the nation are counting on us to make health care more affordable. I look forward to joining my colleagues and others to get the Build Back Better Act passed in the Senate and signed into law.”

“The House passage of Build Back Better marks a historic day for America,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Build Back Better will lower costs for families struggling to make ends meet. For too long, Americans have had to pay too much to see the doctor or get the medications they need to survive. Now, working families, seniors, and parents will pay less for prescription drugs and health insurance, and millions of Americans will have health insurance they previously could not afford. Thanks to the dedicated leadership of health care champions like Chairman Pallone and Representatives Kelly and Underwood, millions of Americans can worry a little less when they go to sleep at night.”