GREEN BAY, WI – This morning, Protect Our Care’s Care Force One arrived in Green Bay to spotlight how recent legislative victories by President Biden and Democrats in Congress are “driving down” health costs for the American people. The Inflation Reduction Act and other measures are already saving people thousands of dollars a year — with even more savings on the way.
August marks the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act and the savings it delivers for Wisconsinites. During today’s event, speakers heralded policy changes directly impacting people’s lives, including the coming $2,000 out-of-pocket cap on prescription drug costs for Seniors on Medicare.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers also pledged to continue pushing to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Wisconsin is one of just ten states that have failed to do so to date.
“Expanding BadgerCare would provide healthcare coverage to nearly 90,000 Wisconsinites—including about 30,000 who are currently uninsured—improve health outcomes,
and draw down more than $2 billion in federal funds, saving our state more than $1.6
BILLION over the biennium,” said Evers. “That’s a win-win for our people and our state.
It defies logic that Republican lawmakers continue to refuse this commonsense action
that would help hardworking Wisconsinites get the care they need.”
NE Wisconsin advocates Sarah Conklin and Michael Hovde shared how they have been directly impacted by federal healthcare legislation.
“I am now on Medicare with a supplemental plan and drug plan. Last year I paid $6,068.82 for prescriptions alone. I cannot express the relief I will feel when that is capped at $2000.00 a year,” said Conklin. “Lowering of any of my yearly medical costs is a huge factor to my life and believe me when I say I am very grateful for the Inflation Reduction Act.”
Hovde found health coverage through his employer unaffordable and turned to the ACA Marketplace. “After less than half an hour, I found multiple affordable plan options. In the end, the plan I chose covered all my preferred doctors and medications, provided solid coverage, and, with tax credits I received, only cost around $100 a month,” he said. “My ACA plan allowed me and my daughter to afford health insurance, so we could see our doctors, therapists, specialists, and more.
“Six years ago I walked into the doctor’s office with a nagging cough and walked out with a stage four cancer diagnosis,” said Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate. “Luckily, I had good insurance that paid for the chemotherapy and radiation that I needed. The Inflation Reduction Act lowers health care costs for millions of people like me so they can afford the treatment they need to survive. President Biden and Democrats in Congress, Senator Tammy Baldwin, continue to deliver on their promise to lower health care costs as hardworking people begin to see even more savings.”
Tomorrow, the “Lower Costs, Better Care” tour will continue in Minnesota. Over four weeks, Care Force One will travel to more than 16 states, make more than 30 stops, and travel nearly 8,000 miles. For more information, click here.
