Press Call

 ***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY JULY 14 AT 10:45 AM ET // 9:45 AM CT***

Washington, DC — On Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 10:45 AM ET // 9:45 AM CT, U.S. Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Susan Wild (D-PA-07) and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss the urgent need for Congress to protect and expand women’s access to health care in the wake of the Supreme Court’s elimination of the federal right to an abortion. Protect Our Care is releasing a new report that lays out the dire consequences for women and children if Congress fails to make the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium tax credits permanent and close the Medicaid coverage gap. 

Three million people stand to lose their health coverage if Congress fails to extend the American Rescue Plan’s tax credits — which means the loss of access to free contraceptives, lifesaving maternal care, and care for children. At the same time, in states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas, Republican lawmakers are not only rolling back abortion rights, but they are continuing to block Medicaid expansion, which only leaves mothers and families without access to essential care. This press call makes clear that Congress must move quickly to extend premium subsidies and close the coverage gap to avoid exacerbating the damage being done as states revoke abortion rights. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO: 

U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14)
U.S. Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-07)
Peggy Ramin, Counsel on Health/Poverty at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Leslie Dach, Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Discuss How Overturning Roe Exacerbates Need to Lower Costs and Expand Health Care Coverage 

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 10:45 AM ET // 9:45 AM CT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY JUNE 23 AT 1:00 PM ET // 12:00 PM CT***

Washington, DC — On Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 1:00 PM ET // 12:00 PM CT, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05) and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) will join Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss the urgent need for Congress to prevent the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium tax credits from expiring. The event comes as health care activists, advocacy groups and concerned citizens across the country engage in Protect Our Care’s day of action calling on Congress to act urgently to keep health care premiums low. 

Last year, a record 14.5 million people signed up for coverage through the ACA marketplaces thanks in large part to the enhanced tax credits, which saved families hundreds of dollars on their monthly health care costs. Now, Democrats are fighting to extend these tax credits for working families — but if Congress fails to act, premiums will skyrocket at the end of this year. The press call makes clear, lawmakers must act now to ensure working families can continue to afford the health care they need. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD-05)
U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14)
Dr. Jessica Ice, Executive Director of West Virginians for Affordable Health Care and APTC storyteller from West Virginia
Anne Shoup, Protect Our Care

WHAT: Press Call to Discuss Urgent Need to Stop Health Care Premium Hikes

WHERE: Dial-In: 877-229-8493; Pin: 118261

WHEN: Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 1:00 PM ET // 12:00 PM CT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 10 AT 12:15 PM ET // 11:15 AM CT*** 

Senators Baldwin and Warnock Are Leading the Charge to Lower Prescription Drug Prices, Cap Insulin Costs, and Expand Affordable Coverage

Washington, DC — On Thursday, March 10 at 12:15 PM ET, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) will headline a virtual press conference hosted by Protect Our Care. Ahead of the American Rescue Plan anniversary, speakers will celebrate the law’s provisions to make health care premiums more affordable than ever and discuss the steps Congress can take now to further lower Americans’ health care costs. 

Senators Baldwin and Warnock, joined by their Democratic colleagues, are working tirelessly to lower costs by capping insulin prices, giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, and keeping health care premiums low. If passed, these measures could put thousands of dollars in working families’ pockets and make health care affordable at a time when patients need relief most. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care
Mary Jonker, retiree and patient storyteller from Wisconsin
Teresa Acosta, single mom to a Type 1 diabetic and small business owner from Georgia

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Thursday, March 10 at 12:15 PM ET // 11:15 AM CT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 AT 1:00 PM ET // 11:00 AM MT***

Arizonans Are Eager to Hear President Biden’s Plans to Lower Rx Drug Prices and Expand Access to Affordable Health Care

Phoenix, AZ — On Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 1:00 PM ET // 11:00 AM MT, Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-07), State Senator Raquel Terán, and State Representative Melody Hernandez, will join local advocates and Protect Our Care Arizona at the state Capitol to discuss what Arizonans hope to hear from President Biden when he delivers his first State of the Union address on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. President Biden and the Democrats in Congress have made lowering costs and expanding access to health care a priority, and have been working hard to lower insurance premiums, give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, expand affordable coverage to millions by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, extend Medicare benefits, and invest in care for seniors and people with disabilities. 

Provisions in the 2021 American Rescue Plan made coverage more affordable than ever before, with enhanced premium tax credits allowing four out of five eligible enrollees to find a plan for $10 or less per month. A record number of Americans signed up for coverage during the ACA open enrollment period, underscoring the need for Congress to make benefits such as the ACA subsidies in the American Rescue Plan permanent.

President Biden is expected to address the urgent need to pass these health care measures as soon as possible, and highlight the importance of lowering health care costs for Arizonans and millions of Americans across the country. 

PRESS EVENT:

WHO:
Congressman Ruben Gallego, (D-AZ-07)
Arizona State Senator Raquel Terán
Arizona State Representative Melody Hernandez
Iesha Meza, Arizona patient and advocate
Kathy Saulsberry, Arizona patient and advocate

WHAT: Arizona Press Conference 

WHERE:
Arizona State Capitol
1700 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

WHEN: Wednesday, February 23 at 1:00 PM ET // 11:00 AM MT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 AT 9:30 AM ET***

Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07) and AARP’s Nancy LeaMond will join Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss the ongoing efforts to ensure that Congress passes legislation to bring down prescription drug prices. Representative Wild has been a tireless advocate for lowering drug prices, most recently leading a letter alongside 40 House Democrats urging leadership move as quickly as possible to address the problem. President Biden has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to bringing down drug prices to lower the cost of living for Americans. 

During the call, speakers will call for passing all of the drug pricing provisions in the House-passed Build Back Better Act, including giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, limiting insulin prices for diabetics, capping out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, and limiting outrageous price hikes. All of these polices enjoy overwhelming support from voters and would dramatically bring down health care costs for families. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07)
Nancy LeaMond, Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer and Executive Vice President at AARP
Sarah Opatovsky, constituent storyteller
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference 

WHEN: Wednesday, February 23 at 9:30 AM ET

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 25 AT 1:30 PM ET // 10:30 AM PT***

Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-VT-AL) will join Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss the ongoing efforts to ensure that the final iteration of the Build Back Better Act includes strong measures to bring down prescription drug prices. The event comes after President Biden emphasized his dedication to bringing down prescription drug prices last week. 

Along with West Virginia-based storyteller Mindy Salango, speakers will call for all of the drug pricing provisions in the House-passed bill, including giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, limiting insulin prices for diabetics, capping out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, and limiting outrageous price hikes. All of these polices enjoy overwhelming support from voters and would dramatically bring down health care costs for families, at a time they are worried about inflation.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Representative Peter Welch (D-VT-AL)
Mindy Salango, patient advocate from Morgantown, West Virginia
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference 

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Tuesday, January 25 at 1:30 PM ET // 10:30 AM PT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 13 AT 11:30 AM ET // 10:30 AM CT***

Call Will Convey the Importance of Ensuring Americans Sign-Up for Lower Health Care Coverage and the Need to Make Rep. Underwood’s Enhanced Premium Subsidies Permanent 

Washington, DC — On Thursday, January 13 at 11:30 AM ET // 10:30 AM CT, U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and health care advocates will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference ahead of the January 15 open enrollment deadline. A record 13.8 million people have signed up for coverage through the ACA marketplaces thanks in large part to the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced premium tax credits, which were championed by Rep. Underwood and allowed four out of five eligible enrollees to find a plan for $10 or less per month. The House-passed Build Back Better Act would make these tax credits permanent, driving down health care costs for families and expanding coverage to millions of Americans.  Congresswoman Underwood will speak to the importance of Americans taking advantage of lower health care costs and enroll for coverage in 2022. 

As Americans enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a more urgent time to ensure families can get the health care they need. Polling shows strong, unwavering support among voters across the political spectrum for the Build Back Better health care priorities. The House-passed Build Back Better Act would make these tax credits permanent, driving down health care costs for families and expanding coverage to millions of Americans. It is essential that the Senate work quickly to pass the Build Back Better Act to level the playing field for working families and lower insurance premiums and prescription drug costs, improve care for seniors, and expand health coverage to millions nationwide. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14)
Peter Lee, Executive Director of Covered California
Audree Hall, health care storyteller from Lake County
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Discuss Urgent Need to Lower Health Costs & Expand Coverage In Build Back Better Act

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Thursday, January 13 at 11:30 AM ET // 10:30 AM CT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7 AT 3:00 PM EST // 12:00 PM PST***

The Build Back Better Act Will Lower Insulin Costs for Millions

Washington, DC — On Tuesday, December 7 at 3:00 PM EST/ 12:00 PM PST, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA-18) will join Protect Our Care and Kevin Wren, a health care storyteller from Washington, to discuss the Build Back Better Act’s critical provisions to make insulin more affordable. The bill gives Medicare the power to negotiate for lower insulin prices and caps insulin costs at $35 per month for millions of patients with health insurance.

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 families by giving Medicare the power to negotiate, cracking down on outrageous price increases, and capping seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs. During the call, speakers will call for immediate passage of the Build Back Better Act in the Senate with all of the bill’s health care measures fully intact. 

PRESS CALL

WHO:
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN)
U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA-18)
Kevin Wren, Type 1 diabetic from Washington State

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference With Senator Patty Murray, Senator Tina Smith, and Representative Eshoo to Urge Senate Passage of Build Back Better Act For Lower Insulin Costs

WHERE: Register for the Event Here.

WHEN: Tuesday, December 7 at 3:00 PM EST // 12:00 PM PST

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19 AT 10:15 AM ET // 9:15 AM CT***

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

Washington, D.C. — On Friday, November 19 at 10:15 AM ET, U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) will join Protect Our Care to react to the passage of the Build Back Better Act in the House. 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 to cover hearing, 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 CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman

U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14)

U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) 

Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference Reacting to House Passage of the Build Back Better Act

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Friday, November 19 at 10:15 AM ET // 9:15 AM CT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29 AT 1:30 PM ET***

As Congress Finalizes Budget Legislation, U.S. Rep. Welch Will Call on Congress to Deliver Lower Drug Prices for the American People

Washington, DC — Today, Friday, October 29 at 1:30 PM ET, U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-VT-AL) will join Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss ongoing efforts to include strong provisions on Medicare negotiation in the final Build Back Better package and to call on Congress to deliver lower costs and better care to Americans by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Medicare negotiation is widely supported by nearly every Democratic member of Congress and 9 in 10 Americans.

Yesterday, Democrats announced a framework for the Build Back Better Act that fails to include any measures to lower prescription drug prices. Democratic leadership have pledged to include Medicare negotiation in the final bill. This event will make clear that this is not the time for half measures; Congress must give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans. 

WHO:
U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-VT-AL)
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Press Call on the State of Play for Medicare Negotiations in Build Back Better Act 

WHERE: Register for the Event Here