Dear Health Advocates,

Congress is now set to negotiate what will stay and what will be cut in the budget reconciliation package. Now is a critical moment to dial up pressure on major health priorities being considered in the bill, including prescription drug prices, Medicare dental benefit, expanding the Medicaid coverage gap, and marketplace affordability. 

Join us TODAY, from 12:00-12:30PM ET for a 30 minute Twitter storm to let Congress know that these legislative priorities cannot wait any longer-- now is the time to take action!

Please feel free to use and customize social posts below from our regularly updated Thursday 30 Toolkit. Suggested content for this week includes:

1. Congress has a historic chance to improve health care access & affordability so we can #BuildBackBetter. Families need action to lower #HealthCare costs, make care more accessible regardless of skin color or where you're born & ensure everyone in the US can lead a healthier life.
2. The price of #PrescriptionDrugs is a huge health & economic problem in the US. Almost 1 in 3 people can’t fill #RX due to cost. Nearly 90%, across party lines say they want Congress to act now to lower the price of prescription drugs. https://familiesusa.org/resources/whats-at-stake-for-americas-families-why-congress-must-go-big-and-bold-in-reconciliation-to-improve-health-and-health-care-for-millions-of-people/
3. Dental care is the no.1 medical service that people across America skip due to cost. Adding #DentalCoverage to #Medicare would mean that millions of people could afford necessary #OralHealth care, staying healthier & ensuring lower #HealthCare costs for everyone.
4. 53% of people told @KFF they are worried about their ability to afford their #HealthInsurance deductible – BEFORE #COVID19! Congress can do something about this, now let’s get it done! https://familiesusa.org/resources/whats-at-stake-for-americas-families-why-congress-must-go-big-and-bold-in-reconciliation-to-improve-health-and-health-care-for-millions-of-people/
5. #MedicaidExpansion has been crucial to making sure more people get #HealthCare. Most states have expanded the number of low-income adults who are eligible. The rest need to so more ppl have insurance, better access to care and everyone has lower costs. #UniteForHealthCare https://familiesusa.org/resources/whats-at-stake-for-americas-families-why-congress-must-go-big-and-bold-in-reconciliation-to-improve-health-and-health-care-for-millions-of-people/

State-Specific Tweets:

1. Congress can make sure that [insert # amount from page 16] more people in [insert state] get health insurance. Tell [insert congressperson handle], we need #MedicaidExpansion in [insert state] now! https://familiesusa.org/resources/whats-at-stake-for-americas-families-why-congress-must-go-big-and-bold-in-reconciliation-to-improve-health-and-health-care-for-millions-of-people/
2. In 2022, [insert # amount from page 10 of the report] of [insert state here] would gain #HealthInsurance due to the American Rescue Plan. [insert congressperson handle], we are counting on you to ensure these people can retain the health insurance they have. https://familiesusa.org/resources/whats-at-stake-for-americas-families-why-congress-must-go-big-and-bold-in-reconciliation-to-improve-health-and-health-care-for-millions-of-people/
3. [insert # amount from page 6 of the report] people in [insert state] would benefit from adding oral health coverage to Medicare. Tell [insert congressperson handle] it’s time to modernize #Medicare to include an oral health benefit. https://familiesusa.org/resources/whats-at-stake-for-americas-families-why-congress-must-go-big-and-bold-in-reconciliation-to-improve-health-and-health-care-for-millions-of-people/
4. [Insert state] would save [enter amount from page 3 of the report] on #PrescriptionDrugs under the Lower Drug Costs Now Act. [insert congressperson handle], it’s time to include key drug pricing elements of H.R. 3 in the upcoming reconciliation bill. https://familiesusa.org/resources/whats-at-stake-for-americas-families-why-congress-must-go-big-and-bold-in-reconciliation-to-improve-health-and-health-care-for-millions-of-people/

Be sure to check out these resources and additional opportunities for collective action:

• Report: What’s at Stake for America’s Families
• Comment: Diverse Stakeholders Support House Energy & Commerce Drug Pricing Legislation Heading Into Markup of H.R. 3
• Social Media Infographics: Oral Health Care is Too Expensive Without Medicare Coverage
• Affordable Health Care Insights Column: Finishing the Job: It's Time to Build Back Better with Affordable Health Care
• Medicaid Expansion Video: Why Does Oklahoma Medicaid Expansion Matter?

To your health,

Tiana Rodriguez
Strategic Partnerships Coordinator