During the October recess, Protect Our Care held 15 roundtable discussions, town hall meetings, and accountability events with elected officials and health care advocates across the country to highlight the work Democrats are doing to lower skyrocketing drug prices and protect Americans with pre-existing conditions, while holding Republicans accountable for sabotaging health care.
While the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans continue to back the disastrous Texas lawsuit that would strip away our health care, Democrats in the House are working to pass the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), a bill that would take the drug companies to task and lower prescription drug prices for American families nationwide. In the Senate, Democrats filed a discharge petition to force a vote on the Protect Pre-Existing Conditions Act, making their Republican colleagues choose between supporting protections for pre-existing conditions and Trump’s sabotage agenda.
Here’s a look at the events and some of the news coverage that took place over the recess:
House Events:
ARIZONA
Tuesday, October 8 – Health Care Town Hall with Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick’s (AZ-02) Office
Protect Our Care Arizona joined Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick’s office at a community town hall in Tucson, to discuss the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), historic legislation, introduced by House Democrats, that will drastically lower prescription drug costs and hold insurance companies accountable. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick discussed her support for health policy proposals that lower prescription drug costs and protect people with preexisting conditions, as she works to ensure that every Arizonan has access to quality, affordable care. View the post-event release here.
KGUN TV 9: Community members share their health care concerns at health care town hall
GEORGIA
Wednesday, October 9 – Roundtable with Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06)
Rep. Lucy McBath held a healthcare round table with Protect Our Care to talk with constituents about the current challenges facing the healthcare system, her fight to protect pre-existing conditions, and Speaker Pelosi’s latest push to lower drug costs with the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3). View the post-event release here.
Yahoo Finance: Rep. McBath Meets with AARP Georgia to Discuss Lowering Prescription Drug Prices
MICHIGAN
Monday, October 7 – Costs of Care Conversation with Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08)
Protect Our Care Michigan joined Rep. Elissa Slotkin for a “Costs of Care Conversation” at the Old Persons’ Commission in Rochester, Michigan. At the roundtable discussion, Rep. Slotkin discussed Democrats’ bill to lower prescription drug costs, which would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. She urged both Democrats and Republicans to put pressure on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring the bill to a vote in the Senate. View ICYMI here.
WXYZ-TV Detroit: Rep. Elissa Slotkin outlines her prescription drug cost reform bill
MLive: Slotkin commits to legislative priorities while GOP impeachment criticism surges
MINNESOTA
Wednesday, October 9 – Press Call Before Trump Rally in Minneapolis
Ahead of President Trump’s visit to Minnesota on Wednesday, Protect Our Care Minnesota hosted a press call calling on Donald Trump and Republicans to stop sabotaging Minnesotans’ health care, including the Trump administration’s efforts to repeal current health care protections through the courts and eliminate coverage for millions of Minnesotans with preexisting conditions. This is in stark contrast to how Democrats like Reps. Angie Craig and Dean Phillips are leading the charge to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions, and are passing legislation to lower costs and improve care. View the post-call release here and listen to the full audio of the call here.
NEVADA
Wednesday, October 9 – Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) Health Care Town Hall
Nevada health care advocates championed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) at an event on October 9. The bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and is supported by Rep. Susie Lee. The Nevada Hospital Association, AARP Nevada, Nevada Alliance for Retired Americans, Culinary Health Fund, and Protect Our Care joined Rep. Susie Lee for a discussion on the importance of lowering prescription drug costs. View the post-event release here and an ICYMI including clips from the event here.
Nevada Today: Rep. Susie Lee Holds Community Discussion on Prescription Drug Costs
NBC 3 Las Vegas: Lee on backing impeachment inquiry: No regrets
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Tuesday, October 8 – Health Care Costs Roundtable with Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01)
Protect Our Care New Hampshire joined Congressman Chris Pappas at Potters Bakery and Cafe in Rochester, NH for an intimate discussion with constituents on health care. They discussed the skyrocketing costs of health care, and what Rep. Pappas is doing in Congress to lower costs of prescription drugs. View the post-event release here and ICYMI here.
Seacoast Online: Pappas touts effort to lower Rx drug costs
Fosters: Pappas touts effort to lower Rx drug costs
SENATE EVENTS:
ALASKA
Wednesday, October 2 – Sen. Murkowski Accountability at Health Care Conference
Alaskans attended the State of Reform health care conference in Anchorage and asked Sen. Lisa Murkowski to sign on to the Pre-Existing Conditions Act. Long-time Alaska resident Susanna Orr called on Murkowski to support people with pre-existing conditions. Just a little over one year ago, Orr lost her husband, Jason Moore, to complications caused by Hodgkins Lymphoma that he successfully overcame during his childhood. “Jason was passionate about protections for pre-existing conditions,” said Orr. “I strongly encourage Senator Murkowski to support the Pre-Existing Conditions Act.” View the post-event release here.
Friday, October 11 — Letter Drop Off + Press Conference at Sen. Murkowski’s Office
Alaskans gathered ask to demand that Senator Murkowski support Senator Mark Warner’s (D-VA) resolution to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. Alaskan Anette Alfonsi spoke to the senator’s staff in her Anchorage office and asked that the senator sign on to the resolution. View the post-event release here.
ARIZONA
Tuesday, October 8 – Accountability Event at Sen. McSally’s Phoenix Office
Arizonans gathered to demand that Senator McSally support Senator Mark Warner’s (D-VA) resolution to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. Senator McSally was nowhere to be found. Patricia Thomas of Tolleson, Arizona drove almost an hour to visit Senator McSally’s office this morning. “Protections for pre-existing conditions are crucial. I have a pre-existing condition and so does just about everyone I know. If Senator McSally doesn’t vote to keep these protections in place, she will put millions of Arizonans in danger. We need her to do the right thing and stand up for the people she is supposed to represent.” View the post-event release here.
Arizona Capitol Times McSally foe of people with pre-existing conditions
COLORADO
Friday, October 4 – Accountability Event at Sen. Gardner’s Denver Office
Protect Our Care Colorado was joined by health care advocates to call on Senator Gardner to stand up for health care by signing onto Senator Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Warner’s (D-VA) Protect Pre-Existing Conditions Act. Even though his own state prohibits “junk plans,” Senator Cory Gardner refuses to stand up to the Trump Administration by protecting people with pre-existing conditions and opposing bare bones short term plans at the federal level. View the post-event release here.
IOWA
Friday, October 4 – Sen. Ernst Town Hall
Protect Our Care Iowa attended a town hall hosted by Sen. Ernst to ask her to sign on to the Pre-Existing Conditions Act introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Mark Warner. Instead, Sen. Ernst confessed to the crowd that she “did vote to repeal the ACA.” In fact, she’s voted to repeal the ACA numerous times — which would eliminate protections for the 1,288,400 Iowans with pre-existing conditions. View the post-event release here.
Iowa Starting Line: Joni Ernst: “Yes, I Did Vote to Repeal the ACA”
Thursday, October 10 – Sen. Ernst Accountability Event
Iowans gathered on Thursday to demand that Senator Ernst support Senator Mark Warner’s (D-VA) resolution to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. They converged on Sen. Ernst’s office in Cedar Rapids and asked the Senator to support key health care legislation. “It’s beyond frustrating to visit your Senator’s office and feel like you can’t get an answer,” said Linda Fritts, from Hiawatha, Iowa. “Senator Ernst has the chance to once and for all protect people with pre-existing conditions, and she’s refusing to do it. Thankfully we’ll have a vote of our own next year, and we will remember whose side she’s really on.” View the video of the office visit here and read the post-event release here.
MAINE
Thursday, October 10 – Event at Sen. Collins’ Portland Office
Protect Our Care Maine was joined by state legislators to call on Senator Collins to stand up for Mainers with pre-existing conditions by signing on to Senator Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Warner’s (D-VA) resolution to protect people with pre-existing conditions and limit junk insurance plans. State Senator Heather Sanborn, State Representative Drew Gattine, and State Representative Victoria Foley joined the event. View the post-event release here.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Wednesday, October 9 – Sen. Shaheen Thank You Event with Protect Our Care
Protect Our Care New Hampshire presented Senator Shaheen and her health care staff with a certificate of appreciation for her “efforts to defend the health care of our most vulnerable citizens. Sen. Shaheen has been on the frontlines of working to limit the push of “junk” health insurance plans, which cover less and cost more, including introducing a resolution in the Senate. See press release here.
NORTH CAROLINA
Thursday, October 10 – Resolution Drop at Sen. Tillis’ Charlotte Office
North Carolina advocates demanded Senator Tillis support Senator Mark Warner’s (D-VA) resolution to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. North Carolinians also voiced their support of House Democratic legislation, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, and urged Thom Tillis to support it. View the post-event release here.
