***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 11 AT 11:00 AM ET***
A Year Ago, Republicans Voted Against American Rescue Plan Which Made Health Coverage for West Virginians More Affordable, Expanded Access, and Helped Us Better Respond to the Pandemic
Huntington, WV — Today, March 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM ET, speakers will join Protect Our Care West Virginia to mark the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan by calling on Congress to pass legislation to make many of the law’s health care provisions permanent. The American Rescue Plan – which Democrats passed without Republican support – has put money into the pockets of families struggling to make ends meet, delivered robust funding for vaccine distribution, and helped safely reopen schools and the economy. The American Rescue Plan also lowered the cost of health care coverage for West Virginians with enhanced premium tax credits allowing four out of five eligible enrollees to find a plan for $10 or less per month.
In his first State of the Union, President Biden highlighted successful efforts to deliver significant relief to millions of American families. Thanks to Biden’s leadership over 30 million Americans now have health coverage, including a record 14.5 million covered under the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. In fact, West Virginia saw an 19% increase in enrollment in the last year. Additionally, the ARP has helped 76 percent of Americans receive at least one dose of the vaccine, with 93 million receiving a booster shot to bolster protection against the omicron variant. Democrats continue to work to lower insurance premiums, give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, close the coverage gap, extend Medicare benefits, and improve care for veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities.
VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE:
WHO:
Mayor Steve Williams, Huntington, WV
Dr. Jessica Ice, West Virginians for Affordable Health Care
Ryan Frankenberry, West Virginia Working Families Party
Lynette Maselli, Protect Our Care West Virginia
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference
WHERE: Register for the Event Here
WHEN: Friday, March 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM ET