Press Call

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 AT 10:45 AM ET***

Lawmakers Have Long Promised to Rein in High Drug Prices, Lower Health Costs, and Expand Access — President Biden and Democrats Are Getting the Job Done.

LANSING, MI – On Thursday, Feb. 16, at 10:45 a.m. ET, Congressman Dan Kildee and policy advocates will join Protect Our Care Michigan to discuss how President Biden and Democrats in Congress have worked to pass historic health care measures, lower costs, and expand access to care in Michigan and across the country.  

This event comes after President Biden’s State of the Union address, where he celebrated the administration’s accomplishments and outlined further action to lower costs and improve care for people across the nation. Prior to the president’s address, Protect Our Care released its agenda for 2023, calling on Congress to keep up the momentum to lower health care costs, improve care, and advance health equity. 

In January, the Inflation Reduction Act’s lifesaving provision to cap insulin Medicare copays at $35 per month went into effect, benefiting more than 3 million seniors. Last year, Republicans in Congress blocked Congressman Kildee’s legislation which would have extended the cap to people with private insurance — putting Big Pharma’s profits over real people. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are fighting to extend these savings to everyone. This would help an estimated 21 million patients afford this vital medication. 

PRESS CALL: 

WHO:
Dan Kildee, U.S. Congressman, Michigan’s Eighth District
Amber Bellazaire, Policy Analyst, Michigan League for Public Policy
Eric Schneidewind, Michigan Senior on Medicare 

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference 

WHEN: Wednesday, February 16, at 10:45 AM ET 

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

 ***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 AT 12:30 PM ET // 9:30 AM PT***

Senator Wyden, Rep. Neal, and Protect Our Care to Celebrate Lower Health Care Costs and Discuss Need to Protect and Strengthen the Inflation Reduction Act

Washington, DC — On Monday, February 6, 2023 at 12:30 PM ET, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) will join patient advocates and Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss how Democrats have delivered the most important health care improvements since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expanding affordable coverage, driving down prescription drug costs, strengthening Medicaid for moms and kids, and reducing inequities in care. As it stands, a record 16.3 million people signed up for coverage under the ACA marketplaces, seniors are saving on insulin and vaccine costs, and the uninsured rate has reached an all time low. 

The event comes ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union address, where he will celebrate the administration’s accomplishments and outline further action to lower costs and improve care for people across the nation. Republicans, on the other hand, are doubling down on their war on health care by raising premiums, ending Medicare and Medicaid as we know it, reversing recent coverage gains, and hiking prescription drug costs for the American people. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
U.S. Representative Richard E. Neal (D-MA)
Linda Hamacher, patient advocate
Randie Snow, patient advocate
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Monday, February 6, 2023 at 12:30 PM ET // 9:30 AM PT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 AT 11:30 AM ET // 10:30 AM CT***

Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (IL-02) and U.S. Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) along with Sarah Coombs from the National Partnership for Women and Families will join Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss how the Congressional end-of-year package provides a critical opportunity to improve coverage for children, moms, and everyone on Medicaid. 

During the event, speakers will outline an agenda to expand postpartum coverage, require 12 months of “continuous coverage” for children, permanently reauthorize CHIP funding, pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021, and strengthen Medicaid coverage in Puerto Rico. These steps will prevent coverage loss, support rural hospitals, improve health outcomes, advance equity, and save lives. Protect Our Care’s end-of-year agenda can be found here. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02)
U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14)
Sarah Coombs, National Partnership for Women and Families
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference 

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Tuesday, November 15 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, 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