Press Call

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 21 AT 1:30 PM ET // 12:30 PM CT***

PRESS CALL: U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Former Biden COVID-19 Senior Advisor Andy Slavitt, Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo (Johns Hopkins), Dr. Jeff Huebner, Protect Our Care Will Counter Flood of COVID-19 Disinformation

Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, July 21 at 1:30 PM ET // 12:30 PM CT, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), former Obama and Biden administration advisor and former acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt, Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, senior scholar and associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Dr. Jeff Huebner, a public health expert and family physician from Madison, Wisconsin; and Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach will hold a virtual press conference with Defend the Science to counter the disinformation and wacky conspiracy theories that are endangering millions of Americans and discuss the efforts of the Biden administration.

Right now, coordinated disinformation efforts from Republicans like unvaccinated Senator Rand Paul and Congressman Jim Jordan have led to vaccine hesitancy among millions of Americans and causing unnecessary deaths, despite widespread availability of the vaccine. As the Delta variant becomes dominant in the world and thousands of younger, unvaccinated Americans are becoming sick with this new strain of Covid-19, the time is now to end the disinformation that is keeping 37% of American adults unvaccinated. 

At Tuesday’s hearing of the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), Republican Senators Rand Paul and Roger Marshall repeated ridiculous conspiracy theories to cover for the Trump Administration’s disastrous handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. They want to shift blame to public health experts who are leading us out of the crisis, like Dr. Anthony Fauci. In the process, they are threatening the lives of far too many Americans. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Andy Slavitt, former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and senior advisor to the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator
Jennifer Nuzzo, DrPH, SM, Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering and the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a Senior Fellow for Global Health at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Jeff Huebner, MD, practicing family physician from Madison, Wisconsin, and Board of Directors, Doctors for America
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Counter Flood of COVID-19 Disinformation

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Wednesday, July 21 at 1:30 PM ET // 12:30 PM CT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 AT 10:00 AM ET // 9:00 AM CT***

PRESS CALL: U.S. Reps Jim Clyburn & Robin Kelly to Call for Action On Closing the Medicaid Coverage Gap in Upcoming American Families Plan Legislation

Call Will Demonstrate Need for a Federal Solution To Give Millions of Americans, Including 2.4 Million People of Color, Access to Health Care in States That Have Refused To Expand Medicaid

Washington, DC — On Wednesday, U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC-06) and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) will join Protect Our Care for a press call advocating for federal action to close the Medicaid coverage gap. To date, Republican leaders in 12 states have rejected Medicaid expansion, blocking millions of people from access to coverage.

Research confirms that Medicaid expansion increases access to care, improves financial security, and leads to better health outcomes. Medicaid expansion has played a vital role in reducing racial disparities in health care access and has served as a critical safety net during the pandemic. However, in the 12 states that have failed to expand Medicaid, four million uninsured people have been locked out of this essential coverage option. At least 2.4 million people of color, 500,000 people with disabilities and almost a million older Americans who are currently uninsured could gain Medicaid coverage if the remaining states adopted Medicaid expansion.

The press call comes after leaders of the Congressional Tri-Caucus, which includes the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), joined more than 60 of their colleagues on a letter to Congressional leadership and President Biden calling for adopting a federal solution to close the coverage gap in the upcoming American Families Plan legislation. The letter reads: “Closing this gap is one of the single most important steps we can take to reduce health inequities across the United States.”  

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn (D-SC-06), House Majority Whip
U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02)
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care
Yvette Fontenot, Policy and Legislative Affairs Consultant for Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Call for Action on Closing the Medicaid Coverage Gap

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Wednesday, June 23 at 10:00 AM ET // 9:00 AM CT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 17 AT 12:30 PM ET ***

PRESS CALL: Protect Our Care Reacts to Resounding SCOTUS Health Care Victory

Washington, DC — Today, June 17 at 12:30 ET, Andy Pincus, a noted Supreme Court expert who played an important role in defending the Affordable Care Act against Republican legal challenges at the Supreme Court, along with Protect Our Care will hold a press call to react to the Supreme Court decision in California v. Texas, the Trump-Republican lawsuit to overturn the ACA. Today, in an 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court delivered a massive repudiation of the Republican war on health care. By throwing the lawsuit out on standing, the court protected the health care coverage of more than 20 million Americans and prevented more than 135 million people with pre-existing conditions from losing the protections they rely on, and many other key ACA provisions. The decision to affirm the ACA should mean the end of the road for Republicans’ endless attacks on the law and increases the momentum behind President Biden’s and the Democratic majorities in Congress to deliver on their health care agenda that voters elected them to enact. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
Andy Pincus, Visiting Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care
Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Protect Our Care Responds to California v. Texas Decision

WHERE: Dial-In: 877-229-8493, PIN: 118261

WHEN: Thursday, June 17 at 12:30 PM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 15 AT 3:00 PM ET // 2:00 PM CT***

PRESS CALL: U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Protect Our Care to Call Out Big Pharma for Its Lies About Drug Pricing Reform

Call Will Convey Urgent Need To Stand Up To Big Pharma And Give Medicare the Power to Negotiate for Lower Drug Prices 

Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, June 15 at 3:00 PM ET // 2:00 PM CT, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Dr. Richard Frank of Harvard Medical School will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to push back against Big Pharma’s boldest lies to patients about the cost of drug prices. As costs skyrocket, Big Pharma continues to tout lies about how efforts to bring down drug prices will harm research and innovation, all while lining their executives’ pockets and spending billions on stock buybacks. 

The event is part of Week 2 of Lower Rx Summer, which is focusing on debunking Big Pharma’s most powerful scare tactics. Throughout the week, Protect Our Care will host events and release additional research to push back on Big Pharma’s biggest lies. Protect Our Care recently announced Lower Rx Summer as part of The Campaign to Reduce Drug Prices. Lower Rx Summer consists of themed weeks of action to demonstrate the urgent need for legislation to lower drug prices principally by giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for all Americans.

In the coming months, President Biden and members of Congress have an unprecedented opportunity to finally take action to lower drug prices. In 2019, the House of Representatives passed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), bold legislation to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower prices — the single most effective measure to bring down drug costs for patients. In April, House Democrats reintroduced this legislation, giving Congress another opportunity to lower prescription drug prices and meet the demands of voters across the political spectrum.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Energy and Commerce Committee Member
Dr. Richard Frank, Margaret T. Morris Professor of Health Economics, Harvard Medical School
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Call Out Big Pharma for Its Lies About Drug Pricing Reform

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Tuesday, June 15 at 3:00 PM ET // 2:00 PM CT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, JUNE 7, AT 11:15AM ET***

PRESS CALL: Health Care Advocates and Storytellers React to New Poll Showing Delawareans’ Broad Support for Prescription Drug Reform

West Health Poll Shows Strong Support For Medicare Negotiation Among Voters in Delaware

DOVER, DE — On Monday, June 7, State Senator Sarah McBride and a patient storyteller from Dover will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss a new poll conducted by Global Strategies Group on behalf of West Health showing health care is a top priority for Delaware voters. 

Lowering prescription drug prices in particular remains a priority for Delaware voters, with an overwhelming majority of Delawareans reporting that they support giving Medicare the power to negotiate prescription drug prices for all Americans. The poll also shows that voters reject drug companies’ arguments on innovation. 

Protect Our Care recently launched The Campaign to Reduce Drug Prices, a seven-figure investment to demonstrate the urgent need for comprehensive legislation to lower drug prices. Protect Our Care will host events both nationally and in 13 key states, including Delaware, throughout the summer. 

PRESS CALL: 

WHO:

• Sarah McBride, State Senator for Delaware’s 1st District

• Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care

• Vanessa Ladson, Dover resident who faces high prescription drug costs
• Anne Shoup, Communications Director for Protect Our Care

WHAT:
Virtual Press Conference and Poll Briefing on Reducing Drug Prices for Delawareans

WHERE:
Register for the virtual press conference here.

WHEN: 

MONDAY, JUNE 7, at 11:15AM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, JUNE 7 AT 10:30 AM ET***

PRESS CALL: Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Pallone and Health Advocates Will Call on Congress to Give Medicare the Power to Negotiate for Lower Drug Prices

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) Will Join Protect Our Care and Leaders from AARP and Little Lobbyists to Announce Summer Activities to Reduce Drug Prices for All Americans

New Jersey — On Monday, June 7 at 10:30 AM ET, U.S. Representative and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), Nancy LeaMond of AARP, and Elena Hung of Little Lobbyists will join Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to kick off a summer of activities in support of congressional action to lower prescription drug prices for Americans. It is time to put an end to Big Pharma’s rigged system and put patients, not profits, first. 

In the coming months, President Biden and members of Congress have an unprecedented opportunity to finally take action to lower drug prices. In 2019, the House of Representatives passed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), bold legislation to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower prices — the single most effective measure to bring down drug costs for patients. In April, Rep. Pallone reintroduced this legislation, giving Congress another opportunity to lower prescription drug prices and meet the demands of voters across the political spectrum. 

During the call, Protect Our Care will announce “Lower Rx Summer” as part of The Campaign to Reduce Drug Prices. Protect Our Care recently launched the seven-figure campaign to demonstrate the urgent need for comprehensive legislation to lower drug prices. Protect Our Care will continue to host events both nationally and in 13 key states throughout the summer.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman
Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer
Elena Hung, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Little Lobbyists
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Call for Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Monday, June 7 at 10:30 AM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, MAY 28 AT 10:30 AM ET // 9:30 AM CT***

PRESS CALL: Senator Casey and Governor Wolf Join Senator Baldwin and Governor Evers to Discuss How Medicaid Expansion Has Improved Access to Care in Pennsylvania

Senator Casey and Governor Wolf Will Highlight the Benefits of Medicaid Expansion in Pennsylvania

Senator Baldwin and Governor Evers Will Highlight the Damaging Consequences of Republican Opposition to Expansion

Philadelphia, PA — On Friday, May 28 at 10:30 AM ET, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) will join Governors Tom Wolf (D-PA) and Tony Evers (D-WI) for a virtual press conference to highlight the vital benefits of Medicaid expansion in Pennsylvania, as a comparison to the 14 states, including Wisconsin, that have yet to expand Medicaid, despite new federal financial incentives in the American Rescue Plan.

Senator Casey and Governor Wolf will highlight how Medicaid expansion in Pennsylvania has been a lifesaving program for many, including rural communities, communities of color, aging communities, and people with disabilities. Senator Baldwin and Governor Evers will then highlight what Wisconsin could gain from expanding the popular program, and describe how Republicans’ refusal to expand Medicaid is harming Wisconsinites. A new report from the Commonwealth Fund details the vast economic benefits of Medicaid expansion.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Governor Tom Wolf (D-PA)
Governor Tony Evers (D-WI)

WHAT: Press Call with Sen. Bob Casey, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Gov. Tom Wolf and Gov. Tony Evers to Contrast Lifesaving Medicaid Expansion in PA With Urgent Need for WI Republicans to Accept Expansion 

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Friday, May 28 at 10:30 AM ET // 9:30 AM CT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, MAY 4 AT 10:00 AM ET***

PRESS CALL: U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone and Local Health Advocates Call for Congressional Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices for New Jerseyans

With COVID-19 Crisis Ongoing, Ensuring Access to Affordable Health Care and Prescription Drugs Must Be a Priority for Congress 

New Jersey — On Tuesday, May 4 at 10:00 AM ET, U.S. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06) and local health advocates will join Protect Our Care New Jersey for a virtual press conference to call on Congress to take action to lower prescription drug prices for Americans. For too long the system has been rigged in favor of drug companies, and it’s time to put patients, not profits, first. 

Lowering prescription drug prices remains a priority for New Jerseyans and patients across the country. New polling shows that after addressing COVID-19, the top issue for voters is lowering health and drug costs, and 93% support giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices.

In 2019, House Democrats passed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), bold legislation to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug costs — the single most effective measure to bring down drug prices. In April, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone reintroduced this legislation, giving Congress another opportunity to lower prescription drug costs, and meet the demands of voters. The time to act to lower prescription drug prices is now. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman
Dr. Aakash Shah, MD, MBA, MSc, Emergency medicine physician
Gretchen Landenburger, Medicare patient

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Call for Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Tuesday, May 4 at 10:00 AM ET

New Polling Shows Overwhelming Bipartisan Majority of Voters Want Congress to Address Prescription Drug Prices, Lower Health Care Premiums and Expanding Medicaid

Washington, DC — On Monday, April 26 at 2:30 PM ET, U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-VT), Protect Our Care and Hart Research President Geoff Garin will hold a press call to discuss the health care priorities that voters want included in Congress’s next legislative big package. New polling found broad and deep support among voters for addressing skyrocketing prescription drug prices, expanding Medicaid and reducing the costs of health care premiums. This polling underscores that health care remains a critical kitchen table issue for Americans and voters overwhelmingly trust Democrats to deliver on health care.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-VT)
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care
Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care
Geoff Garin, President of Hart Research

WHAT: Press Call About Health Care Priorities Voters Want Urgently Addressed 

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Monday, April 26 at 2:30 PM ET