TAKE ACTION
We know the work to protect our patients does not stop. In the wake of our tremendous victory to defeat efforts to repeal the ACA, join us in taking some important steps during this August recess to hold members of Congress accountable for their votes on ACA repeal and to urge congress to move forward in a bipartisan manner to improve health care.
- View this map or list of events in key states to find rallies, protests, forums, and visits planned to members of congress in key states. You can also check townhallproject.com for information about public events where Members of Congress will be present.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
Amidst the uncertainty, insurers are still expected to make final adjustments to their proposed 2018 premiums by August 16 and must make final decisions about whether to sell Obamacare plans in 2018 by September 27. Molina Healthcare is one among some other insurers that have been exiting the exchanges, recently announcing its exit in Utah and Wisconsin, citing hefty second quarter losses in those markets. Anthem Blue Cross has also reduced individual health plan coverage for some 150,000 Californians, exiting from 16 of the 19 California regions it covers. Following its pullback from the exchanges, Aetna reported a 52% jump in second-quarter profits and raised its 2017 forecast. And at least six states with GOP governors— Arkansas, Kentucky, Arizona, Maine, Wisconsin and Indiana— have already drafted plans that would change eligibility guidelines for Medicaid. This is likely to impact low-income Americans and those with certain disabilities, if states add work requirements, introduce drug testing for recipients or raise premium prices.
This past week the Senate also passed a key funding bill, which renews the FDA’s authority to collect feesfrom the prescription drug and medical device industries. The bipartisan legislation will account for $8-9 billion over five years and represents over a quarter of all FDA funding. The bill passed after the Senate passed a separate bill which expanded access to experimental treatments for people with terminal illnesses. The “Right to Try Act,” championed by Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) allows patients to request access to experimental drugs directly from drug companies without having to go through the FDA; but, does not require drugmakers to make the experimental treatments available.
And on the last day before leaving for the August recess, the Senate confirmed Dr. Jerome Adams to be the 20th Surgeon General of the United States. Adams served as Indiana’s state health commissioner and stated in his hearing that his main priorities would be the opioid epidemic, wellness and community and employer engagement.
MEMBERS IN ACTION
With the threat of coverage for millions on the line, doctors and medical students from Washington, DC to California took to the streets to make their voices heard and successfully beat back the latest attempts to repeal the ACA.
In addition to rallying to save coverage, DFA’s Drug Pricing, Value, and Affordability Campaign, led by Bruce Rector and Justin Lowenthal, organized national stakeholders for a conversation on the pressing issue of rising drug prices.
Tell us about what you are up to! Email your updates and photos to [email protected].
CALIFORNIA
Board Member Dr. Kyle Ragins joined with Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) to speak about the importance of preserving the ACA at the “Our Lives On The Line” bus tour kick-off in Los Angeles. The bus will be traveling across the country this summer.
MASSACHUSETTS
As the ACA repeal voted loomed, Board Member Shalini Pammal organized doctors and health advocates for a vigil on the steps of the Massachusetts State House to urge Senators to put patients over politics.
After the vote, State Leader Dr. Umbereen Nehal attended a rally in Cambridge to thank members of Congress who stood with patients and voted against ACA repeal. She was mentioned in a Boston Globe article covering the event.
NEW YORK
Dr. Katherine Scheirman shares the DFA NY, together with a coalition of state physicians, participated in a “die in” to continue to raise awareness for the deadly consequences of taking away coverage. The team also conducted meetings and outreach to Senators Gillibrand and Schumer.
Medical students at Mount Sinai also participated in several phone banking efforts to defend the ACA and Medicaid. Students were able to provide unique perspectives due to their broad exposure to the healthcare system and the fact that some are on Medicaid themselves.
NORTH CAROLINA
William Coe, a medical student at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, penned a powerful op-ed in his hometown paper in Raleigh, North Carolina. In the piece he discussed the opioid epidemic and the necessity of expanding and maintaining Medicaid in NC to support efforts to save lives.
“Individuals suffering from mental health and addiction stand to benefit the most from Medicaid expansion. Across the country, Medicaid accounts for 25 percent of all spending for mental health disorders and 21 percent of all spending for substance use disorders, making it the largest source of financial support for such services, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).”
OHIO
State Leader Dr. Donald Nguyen recently joined health advocates for “Our Lives On The Line” rally in Dayton, Ohio to urge Congress to put an end to repeal efforts and focus on bipartisan action to improve and strengthen the ACA. The event was part of a national day of action across the country.
State Leader Dr. Arthur Lavin, joined by colleagues from Cleveland, meet with Senator Rob Portman and Senator Sherrod Brown’s office to underscore the disaster repeal would spell for patients across Ohio.
PENNSYLVANIA
Dr. Benjamin Abella participated in a Facebook panel discussion with Congressman Raul Ruiz MD and Dr. Don Berwick (former director of CMS) about the consequences of repealing the ACA.
WASHINGTON, DC
Board Member Dr. Meghana Rao spoke at the “Our Lives On The Line” rally in the nation’s Capitol about the life changing impact the ACA has had on her patients in Baltimore. After the rally she marched with hundreds of advocates, patients, and health providers to the White House.
DRUG PRICING, VALUE, AND AFFORDABILITY CAMPAIGN
Dr. Bruce Rector and medical student Justin Lowenthal, leaders of DFA’s Drug Pricing, Value, and Affordability Campaign, convened a meeting with dozens of organizations working on prescription drug pricing and affordability. Attendees included major physician, labor and patient groups to discuss strategy on state and national efforts to reduce the cost of prescription drugs.
Don’t forget to tell us about what you are up to. Email [email protected] with your updates and photos.