Press Call

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9 AT 11:30 AM ET***

Kelley v. Becerra Threatens to End Free Lifesaving Preventive Health Care for 150 Million Americans

Washington, DC — On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 11:30 AM ET, U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), legal experts and health care advocates will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss the latest developments in the Kelley v. Becerra lawsuit, which threatens lifesaving preventive care services guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

The call comes after U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor ruled yesterday to invalidate all of the benefits covered under the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, including lifesaving colorectal and other cancer screenings, depression screenings, hypertension screenings, and access to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Judge O’Connor’s ruling also threatens to wipe out free access to contraception, prenatal care, vaccinations, and more. More than 150 million Americans relied on these services in 2020. Read more about the case here.  

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-03)
Katie Keith, Georgetown University
Sharita Gruberg, VP for Economic Justice at the National Partnership for Women & Families
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Friday, September 9, 2022 at 11:30 AM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9 AT 11:30 AM ET***

Kelley v. Becerra Threatens to End Free Lifesaving Preventive Health Care for 150 Million Americans

Washington, DC — On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 11:30 AM ET, legal experts and health care advocates will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss the latest developments in the Kelley v. Becerra lawsuit, which threatens lifesaving preventive care services guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

The call comes after U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor ruled yesterday to invalidate all of the benefits covered under the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, including lifesaving colorectal and other cancer screenings, depression screenings, hypertension screenings, and access to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Judge O’Connor’s ruling also threatens to wipe out free access to contraception, prenatal care, vaccinations, and more. More than 150 million Americans relied on these services in 2020. Read more about the case here.  

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
Katie Keith, Georgetown University
Sharita Gruberg, VP for Economic Justice at the National Partnership for Women & Families
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Friday, September 9, 2022 at 11:30 AM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 AT 1:30 PM ET // 12:30 PM CT***

Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, September 7 at 1:30 PM ET // 12:30 PM CT, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) and health care advocates will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss how millions of seniors will benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act’s prescription drug savings. Speakers will also discuss how the historic legislation works to drive down premium costs for families nationwide. On average, Americans could save thousands of dollars a year thanks to these provisions, delivering long-overdue relief to help them get the health care they need and pay for other essentials like food, gas, and rent. 

The event comes as Protect Our Care is continuing to highlight the Inflation Reduction Act’s critical measures to drive down health care costs, reduce prescription drug prices, and combat racial disparities in care. This week, Protect Our Care is focusing on how the bill reduces health care premiums for 13 million families purchasing coverage on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. More information on Protect Our Care’s Inflation Reduction Act theme weeks can be found here. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09)
Doug Hart, patient storyteller and Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans member
Dr. Jessica Ice, Executive Director of West Virginians for Affordable Healthcare and patient storyteller
Anne Shoup, Communications Director for Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Wednesday, September 7 at 1:30 PM ET // 12:30 PM CT

*** MEDIA ADVISORY: TUESDAY AUGUST 23 AT 11 AM ET ***

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

Flint, Michigan — On Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 11 AM ET, a Michigan retiree and mom to a disabled daughter as well as a health care advocate will join Congressman Dan Kildee of Flint to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower prescription drug costs and health insurance premiums for millions of Americans.

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

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

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
Cheryl Hadsall, a retiree who cares for a disabled daughter with diabetes
Jim Milanowski, president and CEO of Genesee Health Plan
Congressman Dan Kildee of Flint

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHEN: Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 11 AM ET

WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event (Registration required)

Inflation Reduction Act Will Drive Down Health Care Costs for Millions of Americans

Washington, DC — On Friday, August 12, 2022 at 9:15 AM ET, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05) and U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06) will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act’s measures to lower health care premiums and prescription drug costs for the American people.  

The Inflation Reduction Act lowers health care premiums by extending enhanced premium tax credits for ACA plans for three years and drives down prescription drug prices by giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower costs, capping seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for drugs at $2,000 per year, and stopping many of Big Pharma’s egregious annual price hikes. This bill will help lower costs for millions of working families and address the deep racial inequities in our health care system. The House is set to pass the historic legislation on Friday. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05)
U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06)
Himali Patel, small business owner and patient storyteller from Georgia
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Friday, August 12, 2022 at 9:15 AM ET

 ***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 9 AT 2:00 PM ET***

Inflation Reduction Act Includes Historic Measures to Lower Health Care Costs for Millions

Washington, DC — On Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 2:00 PM ET // 1:00 PM CT, U.S. Representatives Peter Welch (D-VT-AL) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) will join patient advocates and Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act’s critical measures to lower health care premiums and prescription drug costs for the American people.  

The event comes after the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act, and now the House is expected to vote on the historic legislation later this week. The bill lowers health care premiums by extending enhanced premium tax credits for ACA plans for three years and drives down prescription drug prices by giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower costs for millions of Americans, capping seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for drugs at $2,000 per year, and stopping Big Pharma’s egregious annual price hikes. This bill will help lower costs for millions of working families and address the deep racial inequities in our health care system. For years, lawmakers have promised to lower health care costs and rein in high drug prices, but President Biden and Democrats are actually getting the job done. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-VT-AL)
U..S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14)
Chrysa Otenso, Patient Storyteller from Wisconsin
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 2:00 PM ET // 1:00 PM CT

 ***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 AT 11:15 AM ET// 9:15 AM MT // 8:15 AM PT***

Senators Join Protect Our Care as Congress on the Cusp of Passing the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

Washington, DC — On Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 11:15 AM ET, Finance Committee Chairman Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) will join patient advocates and Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act’s critical measures to lower health care premiums and prescription drug costs for the American people.  

The event comes as momentum is building on Capitol Hill to pass The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which lowers health care premiums by extending enhanced premium tax credits for ACA plans for three years and drives down prescription drug prices by giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower costs for millions of Americans, capping seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for drugs at $2,000 per year, and stopping Big Pharma’s egregious annual price hikes. This bill will help lower costs for millions of working families and address the deep racial inequities in our health care system. For years, lawmakers have promised to lower health care costs and rein in high drug prices, but President Biden and Democrats are actually getting the job done. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
Himali Patel, small business owner and patient storyteller from Georgia
Gail deVore, patient storyteller and Type 1 diabetic from Colorado
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 11:15 AM ET

 ***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, JULY 25 AT 11:30 AM ET***

Kelley v. Becerra Threatens to End Free Lifesaving Preventive Health Care for 150 Million Americans

Washington, DC — On Monday, July 25, 2022 at 11:30 AM ET, Andrew Pincus, Kaye Bender from APHA, and a patient advocate will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss the Kelley v. Becerra lawsuit, which would end the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) guaranteed access to free preventive care. The little known lawsuit was initiated by longtime foes of the ACA, abortion rights, marriage equality, vaccination mandates, and diversity policies, is being argued on July 26 before the same 5th circuit district court judge whose decision invalidating the entire ACA was reversed by the Supreme Court in 2021. 

The ACA guarantees access to over 100 preventive health services completely free of charge, including routine vaccinations, well baby and child visits, cancer screenings, prenatal care, contraception, and more. In 2020 alone, more than 150 million Americans used these services.   The ACA’s guaranteed coverage requirement applies not just to Marketplace coverage – it applies to health plans offered by employer sponsored, individual, small group, large group and self funded group plans.  During the call, speakers will make clear that this case is a grave threat to essential health care services that millions of Americans depend on. Read more about the case and the dire consequences here.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
Andrew Pincus, Visiting Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School and Partner at Mayer Brown LLP
Kaye Bender, PhD, RN, FAAN, President of the American Public Health Association
DonnaMarie Woodson, cancer survivor and advocate
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Monday, July 25, 2022 at 11:30 AM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, JULY 21 AT 10:00 AM ET***

Experts and Patients Hold Press Call as Parliamentarian Reviews Biggest Health Care Bill Since ACA 

Washington, DC — Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM ET, AARP, P4ADNow, National MS Society, patient advocates, and more will join Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss how the historic drug provisions included in the new reconciliation bill will change lives. 

As the drug pricing provisions in the reconciliation package are being reviewed by the parliamentarian, drug pricing experts and patients invite the press to join a call to walk through the impact of the historic reforms on Americans. This legislation – which is the largest healthcare bill since the ACA – will, for the first time, authorize Medicare to negotiate prices directly for some of the most expensive prescription medicines; institute a cap on out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries; and limit annual price increases to stop price gouging by drug corporations.

VIRTUAL EVENT:
WHO:
AARP
P4ADNow
National MS Society
Patient advocates
Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM ET

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***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, JULY 21 AT 10:00 AM ET***

Experts and Patients Hold Press Call as Parliamentarian Reviews Biggest Health Care Bill Since ACA

Washington, DC — Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM ET, AARP, P4ADNow, National MS Society, patient advocates, and more will join Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss how the historic drug provisions included in the new reconciliation bill will change lives.

As the drug pricing provisions in the reconciliation package are being reviewed by the parliamentarian, drug pricing experts and patients invite the press to join a call to walk through the impact of the historic reforms on Americans. This legislation – which is the largest healthcare bill since the ACA – will, for the first time, authorize Medicare to negotiate prices directly for some of the most expensive prescription medicines; institute a cap on out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries; and limit annual price increases to stop price gouging by drug corporations.

VIRTUAL EVENT:

WHO:
AARP
P4ADNow
National MS Society
Patient advocates
Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM ET