Former President Barack Obama, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Representatives Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ron Kind (WI-03), G.K. Butterfield (NC-01), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Susie Lee (NV-03), Susan Wild (PA-07), Matt Cartwright (PA-08), Nikema Williams (GA-5), Dwight Evans (PA-3), and Gwen Moore (WI-4) Joined State & Local Elected Officials and Storytellers for Events In 12 States
This month, Protect Our Care hosted 36 events and released eight op-eds to commemorate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and American Rescue Plan anniversaries and bring attention to critical health care issues facing the nation. The events come as President Biden and Democrats are working tirelessly to lower health care costs, put more money in families pockets, expand coverage, and control the COVID-19 pandemic. Events and activities focused on four key areas:
- Affordable Care Act Anniversary: Protect Our Care released a video with former President Obama and NowThis and hosted events in eight states to mark the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), highlighting how the law is stronger than ever with more than 30 million Americans getting health coverage through the Marketplace and Medicaid expansion. Lawmakers and advocates also urged Congress to pass provisions that will build on the successes of the ACA and bring down the cost of health care for American families.
- American Rescue Plan Anniversary: Protect Our Care joined lawmakers, advocates, and storytellers in nine states to commemorate the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, health care is more affordable than ever. At each event, speakers called on Congress to pass legislation to make many of the law’s health care provisions permanent.
- State of the Union: Ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union Address, Protect Our Care joined members of Congress, state and local elected officials, health care advocates, and storytellers to discuss the urgent need to pass President Biden’s health care proposal and highlight the importance of lowering health care costs and expanding access to care.
- COVID-19 Funding: Protect Our Care hosted events in six states as warnings mounted about the consequences if Congress fails to provide additional COVID-19 funding to maintain testing capacity and supply life-saving treatment. Despite rising vaccination rates, we could see a significant setback in our nationwide COVID-19 response without additional funding requested by the Biden administration.
NATIONAL
Wednesday, March 23 — NowThis Video Features President Obama Thanking Health Care Storytellers For Their Advocacy On The Affordable Care Act’s 12th Anniversary. You can watch the full video here.
Wednesday, March 16 — Health Experts Zeke Emanuel and Howard Forman Joined Local Officials to Discuss the Importance of Passing COVID Relief. You can watch the event here.
Thursday, March 10 — American Rescue Plan Anniversary and Affordable Insulin Now Act Event with Senators Tammy Baldwin and Raphael Warnock and Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Insulin costs have sky-rocketed; Warnock-sponsored bill would cap co-pays
- Wisconsin Health News: Baldwin Eyes Bipartisan Support for Insulin Plan
ALASKA
Monday, March 21 — Covid Funding Bill Accountability Event with Assemblywoman Suzanne LaFrance, Alaskan Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
ARIZONA
Wednesday March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans and Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Saturday, March 5 — Arizona Republic Op-ed by Mario Diaz on AZ PPP Poll Results: Protect Our Care Arizona placed an opinion piece in the Arizona Republic by Mario Diaz, former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Napolitano and former Arizona State Director for John Kerry for President. You can read the full op-ed here.
Wednesday, February 23 — State of the Union Preview Event with Rep. Ruben Gallego, State Senator Raquel Terán, Representative Melody Hernandez and Storytellers. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
- KAET-TV (Cronkite News/PBS-Phoenix): Rep. Gallego and Advocates Discuss Health Care Reforms Ahead of SOTU
FLORIDA
Wednesday, March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Florida Health Care Advocates: You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
- Florida Phoenix: FL Dems highlight protection of Obamacare as an issue in 2022 elections
- WFOR-TV (CBS Miami): FL Dems Highlight ACA Protections
Thursday, March 10 — Thursday March 10 at 10AM ET — American Rescue Plan Anniversary Event with Rep. Kathy Castor and FL Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
- WFLA-AM Radio (Tampa): Rep. Castor Marks ARP Anniversary, Calls for Lower Health Care Costs
- News Radio 610 WIOD (Miami): Rep. Castor Marks ARP Anniversary, Calls for Lower Health Care Costs
Thursday, March 3 — Mobile Billboard Circles Florida State Capitol Showing DeSantis Bullying Masked Students.
Coverage:
- Florida Politics: Mobile billboard displays DeSantis masked student incident around Florida Capitol building
GEORGIA
Tuesday, March 22 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Interview with Georgia Small Business Owner Himali Patel, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. You can watch Himali’s interview here.
Friday, March 25 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary and Republican Accountability Event Ahead of Trump Rally with Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Democratic Party of Georgia, and Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
- FOX 5 (Atlanta): Georgia Democrats Hold News Conference to Call Out Republicans Over Healthcare
- CBS46 (Atlanta): Democrats Hold Meeting Ahead of Trump Visit
- WSB-TV (Atlanta): Georgia Democrats Rally Virtually Against Trump’s Candidates
- GPB News: Trump’s Republican revenge tour falters in Georgia
- Georgia Recorder: Trump GOP kingmaking power to be tested after Georgia rally
MAINE
Thursday March 24 — Covid Funding Event with ME Healthcare Advocates. You can watch the event here.
NEVADA
Wednesday, March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Congresswoman Susie Lee, Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow, and Nevada Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Friday, March 11 — American Rescue Plan Anniversary Event with Nevada Providers and Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Wednesday, March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Local New Hampshire Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Friday, March 11 — American Rescue Plan Anniversary Event with NH Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Monday, February 28 — State of the Union Preview Event with NH Policy Experts. You can watch the event here.
NEW JERSEY
Wednesday March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Assemblywoman Shama Haider and New Jersey Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
- Insider NJ: Assemblywoman Haider, Health Care Advocates Call on Congress to Build on Success of the Affordable Care Act and Lower Health Care Costs
- WMBC-TV: NJ Healthcare & the Affordable Care Act
Thursday, March 17 — Covid Funding Bill Accountability Event with Congressman G.K. Butterfield, Wake County Commissioner Maria Cervania, Deputy Director for Public Health Dr. Susan Kasangra and Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
- Cardinal & Pine: Lack of Funding Will Undermine COVID Response, NC Congressman Says
- WNCN: Congressional Funding Battle
Thursday, March 10 — American Rescue Plan Anniversary Event with Assemblyman John Mckeon and New Jersey Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
- Insider NJ: Assemblyman John McKeon, Health Care Advocates Urge Passage of Health Care Reforms to Build on Success of American Rescue Plan
- WMBC: Health Care Reforms to Build on Success of American Rescue Plan
OHIO
Wednesday March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Ohio Providers and Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Thursday, March 17 — Covid Funding Bill Accountability Event with State Rep. Beth Liston, Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak, and Ohio Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Friday, March 11 — American Rescue Plan Anniversary Event with City Councilmembers and Ohio Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Friday, February 25 – SOTU Preview Event with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, State Representative Emilia Sykes, and Ohio Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
PENNSYLVANIA
Friday March 25 — ACA Prescription Drug Event with Rep. Susan Wild and Rep. Dwight Evans with PA Health Care Advocates.
Coverage:
Thursday, March 24 — Morning Call Op-ed by Donna Bowers on Lowering Prescription Drug Costs. You can read the full op-ed here.
Wednesday March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Councilwoman Helen Gym and Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
- Northeast Times: Gym, others celebrate 12 years of the Affordable Care Act
Wednesday, March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Congressman Matt Cartwright and Advocates.
Coverage:
- Times Leader: On ACA’s 12th anniversary, Cartwright advocates for lower prescription costs
- Yahoo News: On ACA’s 12th anniversary, Cartwright advocates for lower prescription costs
Tuesday, March 22 — DNC Affordable Care Act Anniversary Virtual Event with Congresswoman Susan Wild, State Rep. Bridget Kosierwoski, and Pennsylvania Storytellers. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
- Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Does the GOP want to repeal Obamacare? Take them literally and seriously
Thursday, March 17 — Covid Funding Bill Accountability Event With Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole and PA Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
- WHYY: Pa. health care leaders and advocates urge Congress to approve more COVID funding
- WCAU-PHI (NBC10 Philadelphia): Philadelphia Healthcare Commissioner Urges More Covid Funding
Friday, March 4 — Philadelphia Inquirer Op-ed by Zach Sherman on Open Enrollment in PA: Protect Our Care Pennsylvania placed an opinion piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer by executive director of Pennie Zach Sherman, the state ACA health care marketplace. You can read the full op-ed here.
Monday, February 28 — State of the Union Preview Event with Rep. Susan Wild and Pennsylvania Health Care Advocates and Storytellers. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
WEST VIRGINIA
Thursday March 24 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Local West Virginia Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Thursday, March 17 — Covid Funding Bill Accountability Event With State Senator Dr. Ron Stollings and WV Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Friday, March 11 — American Rescue Plan Anniversary Event with Huntington Mayor Steve Williams and WV Health Care Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Thursday, March 10 — Charleston Gazette-Mail Op-Ed by Kat Stoll on the American Rescue Plan Anniversary: Protect Our Care West Virginia placed an opinion piece in the Charleston Gazette-Mail by Kat Stoll, policy director of West Virginians for Affordable Healthcare. You can read the full op-ed here.
Thursday, February 24 — State of the Union Preview Event with West Virginia Health Care Advocates and Storytellers. You can watch the event here.
WISCONSIN
Wednesday March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary and Insulin Costs Event with Congressman Ron Kind, State Senator Brad Pfaff, and Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
- WIZM Radio: Area Democrats join call to protect Affordable Care Act, approved 12 years ago
- News8000: U.S. Senate to vote on limiting prescription drug costs, insulin prices in Build Back Better bill
- La Crosse Tribune: Pfaff, Kind urge action to lower health care costs
Wednesday March 23 — WisDems Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with State Democratic Assembly Leader Rep. Greta Neubauer, WisDems Chair Ben Wikler, and Advocates. You can watch the event here.
Coverage:
- WisPolitics: Wisconsin Democrats celebrate ACA anniversary, blast Johnson and GOP for raising costs and fighting coverage
- WKOW-TV(ABC 27): Democrats, supporters of Obamacare rally on 12th anniversary of passage
Wednesday March 23 — Affordable Care Act Anniversary Event with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, The Committee to Protect Health Care, For Our Future Wisconsin, and Advocates.
Coverage:
- Public News Service: On 12-Year Anniversary of ACA, Wisconsinites Discuss its Impacts
Monday, March 28 — Cap Times Affordable Care Act Anniversary Op-Ed by Dr. Kristin Lyerly. You can read the full op-ed here.
Friday, March 24 — Milwaukee Courier Affordable Care Act Anniversary Op-Ed by Julie Buckholt. You can read the full op-ed here.
Tuesday, March 22 — Up North News Affordable Care Act Anniversary Op-Ed by Joe Zepecki. You can read the full op-ed here.
Tuesday, March 15 — Up North News Op-Ed by Joe Zepecki on the American Rescue Plan Anniversary. You can read the full op-ed here.