Closing the Medicaid Coverage Gap Would Extend Coverage to More Than 2 Million People & Dramatically Reduce Racial Disparities in Health Care
Washington, D.C. — According to recent press reports, a small handful of lawmakers are considering blocking a federal fix to provide coverage to families in states that have refused Medicaid expansion in the final Build Back Better Act. Closing the Medicaid coverage gap would finally extend health insurance to over 2 million individuals and address deep disparities in our health care system. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach released the following statement:
“It is unfathomable that some lawmakers are considering dropping the single most important policy to expand coverage and reduce racial inequities in our health care system. Because of Republicans’ partisan war on health care, millions of people have been left uninsured in states like Texas, Florida, and Georgia — it’s just not right. Lawmakers must work to ensure our most vulnerable citizens have access to the health care they need. Working people, rural Americans, older adults, and people with disabilities are depending on Congress to fix this broken system and close the coverage gap now. Lives are on the line.”
Lawmakers & Advocates Demand Action to Give Medicare the Full Power to Negotiate & Lower Drug Prices Now
As President Biden and patient advocates are fighting tirelessly to give Medicare the power to lower prescription drug prices in the Build Back Better Act, press reports have indicated that Big Pharma has tightened its grip on its allies in Congress — potentially threatening prescription drug pricing reform altogether. The reports indicate that pro-Pharma members are actually trying to prohibit negotiations for the drugs that cost the most for people – brand name drugs, those still on patent, and those that already have no competition.
This would maintain the status quo where drug companies can dictate whatever price they want and Americans pay three times more for the same drug as people in other countries. Patient groups and Democratic lawmakers from across the political spectrum firmly agree: this is not the time for capitulation to drug companies. Congress must act now to give Medicare real power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans.
Representative Peter Welch (D-VT-AL): “It’s Outrageous And It’s Unjustifiable And It Would Be Political Malpractice For Congress To Do Nothing.” “Average prescription drug prices in the US are far higher than anywhere else in the world, and we must take action to protect our citizens from the constant price gouging. This is a source of enormous anxiety for folks who need these drugs for themselves or the ones they love. It’s outrageous and it’s unjustifiable and it would be political malpractice for Congress to do nothing. By saving money — simply by stopping this ongoing pharma rip off — we can help Americans afford lifesaving drugs, whether they voted for Trump or voted for Biden.” [Protect Our Care Press Call, 10/25/21]
Rep. Welch: Alternative Proposals “Will Leave Us At The Mercy Of Monopoly Pricing Power.” “Lawmakers are now weighing only negotiating the drug costs after their period of exclusivity has expired, which would exclude many of the costliest drugs and incentivize pharmaceutical companies to extend their patents as long as possible. The costs would be pegged to those paid by VA instead of the international reference pricing scheme of H.R. 3 (117). ‘There isn’t negotiation where it matters. It will leave us at the mercy of monopoly pricing power,’ Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) lamented on a call with reporters Monday. ‘It just breaks the back of the whole concept.’” [Politico, 10/26/21]
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN): “Limiting Negotiations to Off-Patent Drugs Is Exactly What Pharma Wants.” [@amyklobuchar, 10/22/21]
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR): Without Negotiation, “Pharmaceutical Companies Will Continue Hiking Drug Prices Much Faster Than Wages Grow For Typical Americans.” “America is at a crossroads when it comes to paying for prescription drugs. Down one path, pharmaceutical companies will continue hiking drug prices much faster than wages grow for typical Americans. They’ll continue launching headline-grabbing drugs at outrageous list prices, even when there are questions about whether those drugs truly work. In this scenario, the result of drug companies’ unchecked power could be that many more Americans will borrow for life-saving treatments the way they borrow for homes and educations.” [Boston Globe, 10/25/21]
Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT): “As Long As The Greed Of The Pharmaceutical Industry Continues To Go Unchecked, They Can Charge You, The American People, Whatever Price They Want!” [@BernieSanders, 10/25/21]
Representative Jared Golden (D-ME-02): “One Of The Strongest And Most Effective Provisions In The Bill — Prescription Drug Reform — Is Under Threat. It Must Be Saved.” “But amid all the push and pull, one of the strongest and most effective provisions in the bill — prescription drug reform — is under threat. It must be saved. The impact of this provision on Mainers, particularly Maine seniors, would make a difference in hundreds of thousands of lives in our state.” [Jared Golden Medium, 10/24/21]
AARP & Patients for Affordable Drugs: “This Is Not A Moment To Equivocate, Delay, Or Dilute The Foundational Elements Of Effective Reform.” “This is not a moment to equivocate, delay, or dilute the foundational elements of effective reform. This is the moment to enact legislation that will help millions of Americans who are forgoing drugs they have been prescribed but cannot afford, rationing, and choosing between paying rent or paying for prescriptions they need.” [AARP & Patients for Affordable Drugs, 10/21/21]
Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs at AARP: “Letting Medicare negotiate is the BEST and most effective policy to lower prices and save Medicare money.” [@BillSweeneyDC, 10/26/21]
Geoff Gain, President of Hart Research: “Support For Medicare Negotiations Is Nearly Universal, And Establishing A System To Lower Drug Prices Is A Top Priority For Voters.” “As we head into the final days of debate, we must understand that there is overwhelming consensus in this country that the amount pharmaceutical companies charge for prescription drugs is unreasonable. Support for Medicare negotiations is nearly universal, and establishing a system to lower drug prices is a top priority for voters. Even in the face of the strongest opposition from pharmaceutical companies, voters continue to support lowering prescription drug prices through Medicare negotiations.” [Protect Our Care Press Call, 10/25/21]
Arizona — Today, Monday, October 25 12:00 PM MST, Protect Our Care Arizona will sponsor a mobile billboard outside U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s (D-AZ) office, urging her to support Medicare negotiations for lower drug prices for all Americans. The mobile billboard will also circle the State Capitol as constituents and advocates highlight potential consequences of Congress passing a watered-down version of Medicare negotiations in the Build Back Better Act.
President Biden and patient advocates are fighting tirelessly to pass historic health care investments, including giving Medicare real power to negotiate for lower drug prices, as part of the Build Back Better Act. However, the fight is not over. Big Pharma and other special interests are ramping up lobbying and scare tactics to protect profits and lie to the American people.
Polling shows that the health care provisions are the most popular components of the Build Back Better Act. Americans from across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. This event will make it clear that Senator Sinema must deliver on her promises to her constituents and all Americans by supporting legislation to give Medicare the power to negotiate prescription drug prices.
Event Details:
WHO: Protect Our Care Arizona Local Advocates and Constituents
WHAT: Mobile Billboard Urging Sen. Sinema to Support Medicare Negotiations and Lower Drug Prices
WHERE:3333 E Camelback Rd Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
WHEN: Monday, October 25 at 12:00 PM MST
Note: Billboard will run daily from Monday, October 25 through Thursday, October 28.
The mobile billboard will circle Sen. Sinema’s office and the Arizona State Capitol.
The mobile billboard will play audio of Protect Our Care’s new television ad highlighting the late U.S. Senator John McCain’s (R-AZ) strong support for allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices.
Ad Script (30s):
“Why in the world, if we’re interested in lower prices for prescription drugs, would we put a prohibition in that Medicare can’t use its market share to negotiate better prices for drug companies? I mean, it makes no sense.”
Senator John McCain was right.
It makes no sense that Medicare can’t negotiate for lower prices — but Congress can fix that and lower drug prices for Arizona patients.
New York — Today, Protect Our Care announced a new radio ad calling on U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice (D-NY-04) to support giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for all Americans. The new ad comes as President Biden and patient advocates are fighting tirelessly to include Medicare negotiations and other critical health care investments in the Build Back Better Act. However, Big Pharma has tightened its grip on its allies in Congress — potentially threatening Medicare negotiation, the most popular and transformative health care measure in the entire bill. The ad makes clear it’s not too late for Rep. Rice to do the right thing for patients and stand up to Big Pharma for lower drug prices now.
“New Yorkers are tired of the broken system that puts Big Pharma’s profits above the needs of working families,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “It is shameful that, in the wealthiest country in the world, families are forced to choose between affording essential medications and putting food on the table or paying rent. Under President Biden’s strong leadership, Congress finally has the opportunity to put an end to Big Pharma’s unchecked greed and lower prescription drug prices, and Rep. Rice must get on board to bring long-overdue relief to the American people.”
Script (60s):
[President Biden]: “We’re going to bring down the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to finally be able to negotiate drug prices with producers.”
That’s President Joe Biden, promising that his new Build Back Better plan will lower prescription drug prices.
For years, the big drug companies have been charging us whatever they want for the medicine that we need.. And now Americans pay 3-times more for the same prescription drugs as they do in other countries around the world.
It’s not fair. It’s not right. And we finally have a solution.
But, so far, Congresswoman Kathleen Rice has voted against it – against President Biden’s plan that will give Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices.
To get it done, we need Congresswoman Rice to stand up for seniors, stand up for working people and stand up for patients.
Call her at (516) 739-3008 and tell Congresswoman Rice to support Medicare negotiations for lower prescription drug prices.
Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT-AL) joined Hart Research’s Geoff Garin, Brookings Institution’s Dr. Richard Frank, Patients for Affordable Drugs’ David Mitchell and Protect Our Care to discuss the latest developments in Washington as Congress works to pass budget reconciliation legislation. During the call, speakers sounded the alarm against Congress passing a completely watered-down version of Medicare negotiations in the Build Back Better Act.
As President Biden and patient advocates are fighting tirelessly to include Medicare negotiations and other critical health care investments in the Build Back Better Act, Big Pharma has tightened its grip on its friends in Congress — potentially threatening the most popular and transformative measure in the entire bill. Recent reporting indicates that as Congress comes closer to a deal, a small handful of members are trying to gut Medicare negotiations to the point of being nearly meaningless.
“When we fight for price negotiation, we are standing up for patients, consumers, and employers who get hammered by the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs,” said U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-VT-AL). “Average prescription drug prices in the US are far higher than anywhere else in the world, and we must take action to protect our citizens from the constant price gouging. This is a source of enormous anxiety for folks who need these drugs for themselves or the ones they love. It’s outrageous and it’s unjustifiable and it would be political malpractice for Congress to do nothing. By saving money — simply by stopping this ongoing pharma rip off — we can help Americans afford lifesaving drugs, whether they voted for Trump or voted for Biden.”
“As we head into the final days of debate, we must understand that there is overwhelming consensus in this country that the amount pharmaceutical companies charge for prescription drugs is unreasonable,” said Geoff Garin, President of Hart Research. “Support for Medicare negotiations is nearly universal, and establishing a system to lower drug prices is a top priority for voters. Even in the face of the strongest opposition from pharmaceutical companies, voters continue to support lowering prescription drug prices through Medicare negotiations.”
“Medicare negotiations are targeting areas where the market is failing. Half of the Medicare Parts B and D prescription drugs have been on the market for long periods and have received massive profits while having little effect on new science or new cures,” said Dr. Richard Frank, Director of the USC-Brookings Center Schaeffer Initiative on Health Policy. “However, the evidence pharmaceutical companies are using to oppose Medicare negotiations does not highlight that. It is important to keep that in mind when accessing the claims against giving Medicare the power to lower prescription drug prices.”
“As a patient with an incurable blood cancer, my doctors have me on a four drug combination with a list price of $900,000 per year,” said David Mitchell, founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs. “We are closer than we have been in almost two decades to achieving reforms. The key now is to hold the line on the last minute push by Pharma and its handmaidens in Congress to find ways to gut the drug pricing provisions of Build Back Better and render the bill ineffective. Let’s be clear: Medicare must be able to negotiate over any and all high cost drugs that have little or no competition in both Parts B and D. Period.”
“As Congress closes in on a deal to transform health care for millions of Americans, Big Pharma’s friends in Washington are working overtime to eviscerate Medicare negotiations and protect drug company profits. The so-called alternatives being floated — prohibiting negotiations for drugs that are still on patent and have no competition, and removing penalties for drug companies that refuse to negotiate at all — will not meaningfully lower drug prices for patients, period,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Watering down Medicare negotiations means lawmakers are turning their backs on the Americans who are being forced to choose between affording essential medications and putting food on the table or paying rent. Let’s be clear: the Build Back Better health care provisions, and specifically giving Medicare the power to negotiate, are the most important measures in the entire bill. Democrats ran and won on health care in 2020, and voters are demanding they deliver on their promises and lower drug prices now.”
***PRESS CALL ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 AT 11:30 AM ET***
PRESS CALL: Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) Joins Experts and Advocates to Urge Congress Not to Eviscerate Medicare Negotiations in Build Back Better Act
Washington, DC — On Monday, October 25 at 11:30 AM ET, Hart Research’s Geoff Garin, Brookings Institution’s Dr. Richard Frank, and Patients for Affordable Drugs’ David Mitchell will join Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT-AL) and Protect Our Care to discuss the latest political situation in Washington as Congress works to pass budget reconciliation legislation and to sound the alarm of the potential consequences of Congress passing a completely watered-down version of Medicare negotiations in the Build Back Better Act.
President Biden and patient advocates are fighting tirelessly to pass historic health care investments as part of the Build Back Better Act, including giving Medicare real power to negotiate for lower drug prices. However, the fight is not over: Big Pharma and other special interests are ramping up their lobbying and scare tactics to protect profits and lie to the American people. According to recent reporting, Pharma’s friends in Congress are trying to eviscerate Medicare negotiations to the point of being nearly meaningless. Polling shows that the health care provisions are the most popular components of the Build Back Better Act. Americans from across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices.
PRESS CALL:
WHO: U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-VT-AL) Geoff Garin, President of Hart Research Dr. Richard Frank, Director of the USC-Brookings Center Schaeffer Initiative on Health Policy David Mitchell, President and Founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care
WHAT: Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) Joins Experts and Advocates to Urge Congress Not to Water Down Medicare Negotiations in Build Back Better Act
Watered-Down Versions of the Provision Being Floated by Pro-Pharma Members of Congress Would Not Provide Americans the Relief They Need
Washington, DC — According to press reports, including from Politico, pro-Pharma members of Congress are demanding that Democrats water down Medicare drug negotiations in the Build Back Better Act or drop the provision entirely. Polling shows that the health care provisions are the most popular components of the Build Back Better Act. Americans from across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:
“Pharma’s friends in Congress are trying to eviscerate Medicare negotiations to the point of being nearly meaningless. Let’s be clear, the alternatives being floated — prohibiting negotiations for drugs that are still on patent and have no competition, and removing penalties for drug companies that refuse to negotiate at all — will mean negotiations are no longer meaningful and create more reasons for drug companies to further abuse the patent system. If Pharma’s allies are successful, Americans will still pay three times more for the same drugs than people do in other countries, and millions will still have to choose between the drugs they need to stay alive and paying for food or a roof over their heads. Congress must finally stand up to drug companies and stop giving them the power to dictate prices for the drugs Americans need.”
Protect Our Care Hosted Activities in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio
Protect Our Care continued its events and activities calling on members of Congress to pass all of President Biden’s health care priorities in the Build Back Better Act. Democrats are continuing to negotiate a final budget agreement that will give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, extend coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, expand Medicare benefits to include vision, dental and hearing, and reduce health care costs for millions of people purchasing coverage on their own. Polling released this week from Public Policy Polling on behalf of Protect Our Care confirms these proposals are overwhelmingly popular among voters in key congressional districts.
Through press events, TV and radio ads, and polling, 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. Leading up to the final passage of the Build Back Better Act, Protect Our Care will work to ensure lawmakers understand the importance of lowering drug prices and expanding coverage so all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care.
ARIZONA
TV AD: Protect Our Care announced a new television ad highlighting the late U.S. Senator John McCain’s (R-AZ) strong support for allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices. The ad urges U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) to do the right thing and support legislation to end the current ban and give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans.
Brahm Resnik (12 News/KPNX TV) Twitter: NEW @ProtectOurCare TV ad airing in AZ highlights Sinema ‘hero’ John McCain’s support for letting Medicare negotiate drug prices. Sinema supported in past, widely reported to be opposing it now. Spox says she hasn’t said either way. Ad: https://bit.ly/3vAS6Br [@brahmresnik, 10/21/21]
CALIFORNIA
RADIO AD: Protect Our Care released a new radio ad on KOGO-AM and KGB-FM San Diego calling on Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-52) to give Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for all Americans. In the ad, San Diego nurse Rachel Compton tells the devastating story of her patient who passed away because he couldn’t afford the medications he needed to survive.
NEW POLL: A new Public Policy Polling survey finds strong bipartisan support in California’s 52nd Congressional District for the key reforms to health care that are part of the Build Back Better Plan that will lower drug costs and insurance premiums, expand Medicare benefits, and increase coverage. 81% of CA-52 voters say they support giving Medicare the power to lower prescription drug prices for all Americans, with 63% saying they strongly support it. Just 11% say they oppose it.
NEW POLL: A new Public Policy Polling survey finds strong bipartisan support in Florida’s 7th Congressional District for the key reforms to health care that are part of the Build Back Better Plan that will lower drug costs and insurance premiums, expand Medicare benefits, and increase coverage. 80% of FL-07 voters say they support giving Medicare the power to lower prescription drug prices for all Americans, with 65% saying they strongly support it. Just 11% say they oppose it.
PRESS EVENT: State Senator Nan Orrock and local health advocates joined Protect Our Care Georgia at an event to call on Congress to bring relief to Georgians struggling to afford their medications by giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices.
PRESS CALL: New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and local advocates joined Protect Our Care New Jersey at an event to call on Congress to stand up to Big Pharma and bring relief to New Jerseyans struggling to afford their medications by giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices.
NEW POLL: A new Public Policy Polling survey finds strong bipartisan support in New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District for the key reforms to health care that are part of the Build Back Better Plan that will lower drug costs and insurance premiums, expand Medicare benefits, and increase coverage. 77% of NJ-05 voters say they support giving Medicare the power to lower prescription drug prices for all Americans, with 61% saying they strongly support it. Just 11% say they oppose it.
NEW POLL: A new Public Policy Polling survey finds strong bipartisan support in New York’s 4th Congressional District for the key reforms to health care that are part of the Build Back Better Plan that will lower drug costs and insurance premiums, expand Medicare benefits, and increase coverage. 78% of NY-04 voters say they support giving Medicare the power to lower prescription drug prices for all Americans, with 63% saying they strongly support it. Just 13% say they oppose it.
PRESS EVENT: State Rep. Brigid Kelly, Cuyahoga County Council member Shontel Brown and local advocates on Wednesday joined Protect Our Care Ohio for a virtual event to call on Congress to stand up to Big Pharma, and bring relief to Ohioans struggling to afford their medications by giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices.
***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 22 AT 11:00 AM ET***
New Jersey — Today, October 22 at 11:00 AM ET, New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and local advocates will join Protect Our Care New Jersey for an event to call on Congress to stand up to Big Pharma by giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices.
Giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices is the single most effective way to bring down drug prices, potentially saving patients more than $150 billion and creating $500 billion in savings for the federal government.
Protect Our Care released a new poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling, showing that 77 percent of voters in New Jersey’s 5th Congressional district support giving Medicare the power to lower prescription drug prices for all Americans. The poll also shows that more than 60 percent of district voters support the overall Build Back Better plan, which includes paid family and medical leave, Medicare expansion for seniors, and lower health care costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.
Still, Big Pharma is ramping up its lobbying and scare tactics to protect its profits and lie to the American people. New Jerseyans have had enough and are urging Congress to put patients over profits and lower drug costs now.
VIRTUAL CONFERENCE:
WHO: New Jersey State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg Michael Fedida, Pharmacist and Owner of J&J Pharmacy Laura Waddell, New Jersey Citizen Action Health Care Organizer Protect Our Care New Jersey
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Call on Congress to Give Medicare the Power to Negotiate for Lower Rx Drug Prices
Arizona — Today, Protect Our Care announced a new television ad highlighting the late U.S. Senator John McCain’s (R-AZ) strong support for allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices. The ad urges U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) to do the right thing and support legislation to end the current ban and give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans.
President Biden and Democrats in Congress are continuing to work to pass Medicare negotiation and other critical health care priorities in the Build Back Better budget legislation. The ad makes clear Senator Sinema must protect patients instead of Big Pharma’s profits. The ad will begin running on broadcast TV in Phoenix.
“Senator Sinema has a choice to make: she can either stand up for Arizonans and deliver lower drug prices, or she can stand with the big drug companies,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Arizonans are fed up with the broken system that forces them to pay three times more for medications than people in other countries. Medicare negotiation is a no-brainer that has long been supported by voters across the political spectrum. Senator McCain fought for what was right for patients, and now Arizonans need Senator Sinema to do the right thing and rein in Big Pharma’s greed to bring relief to the American people.”
Script (30s):
“Why in the world, if we’re interested in lower prices for prescription drugs, would we put a prohibition in that Medicare can’t use its market share to negotiate better prices for drug companies? I mean, it makes no sense.”
Senator John McCain was right.
It makes no sense that Medicare can’t negotiate for lower prices — but Congress can fix that and lower drug prices for Arizona patients.
Call Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
Tell her to follow Senator McCain’s lead.
Vote to lower drug prices now.
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