John,

As a former congressional staffer and now as an advocate, I’ve devoted my career to two closely connected goals: progressive tax policy and high quality affordable health coverage for all. Now we’re on the verge of taking a big step forward for both.

Included in the tax and investment plan announced this past week by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are provisions that would allow Medicare to negotiate prices for some costly drugs, penalize drug companies that raise prices faster than the rate of inflation, and cap Medicare recipients’ out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 each year.[1]

This is a huge deal, not only for the millions of seniors and younger people with disabilities who rely on Medicare, but for every one of us, even those with private health insurance.

Congress proposed to use the money saved by reining in Big Pharma’s greed to keep healthcare more affordable for 13 million Americans. As currently drafted, the package will extend the expanded financial assistance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that has helped them afford comprehensive, high quality health insurance during the pandemic.

But that doesn’t mean our work is done. Currently missing from the bill are provisions to close the coverage gap created in 12 states that have refused to expand Medicaid, leaving 2 million low-income adults with no way to access either Medicaid or assistance through the ACA.  

Write to your members of Congress right now and urge them to extend the ACA healthcare subsidies for 13 million Americans and to close the Medicaid coverage gap to help 2 million low-income people access healthcare services.

Thanks to you, we’re close to enacting a tax and investment plan that will make historic investments in our future.

Thank you for taking action today.

Sarah Christopherson
Legislative and Policy Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund

[1] “In a major boost to Democrats, Manchin and Schumer announce deal for energy and health care bill,” CNN, July 28, 2022

-- Frank's email --

John,

Drug corporations have been ripping off the American people by price gouging consumers and dodging taxes. According to a U.S. Senate report earlier this month, drug maker AbbVie has been reporting just 1% of its annual income in the U.S. for tax purposes while 75% of its 2020 sales were made to American consumers.[1] It’s booking U.S. profits in offshore tax havens!

But it’s not just tax dodging. Big Pharma has been price gouging the American people, charging us more than double what others pay around the globe.[2] That’s about to change.

Democrats in Congress are close to passing historic legislation that will raise about $750 billion: $450 billion from increased taxes on corporations and the rich and $300 billion by reining in skyrocketing drug prices. Some of that revenue will be used to keep healthcare through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) more affordable for 13 million Americans—including 3 million people who are at risk of losing their healthcare entirely if Congress fails to act.

Unfortunately, not currently included in the bill is closing the gap in coverage in 12 states that have refused to expand Medicaid, which will continue to leave 2 million low-income adults without healthcare.

Let’s get this bill across the finish line and make it as strong as possible! Click here to send a message directly to your senators and representative and urge them to extend ACA subsidies for 13 million Americans and close the Medicaid coverage gap so that 2 million low-income adults don’t have to go without healthcare services.

If Congress doesn’t act in the coming weeks, health insurance companies will hike healthcare premiums for the coming year, forcing millions of Americans to lose their healthcare, and millions more to have to deal with skyrocketing out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

Of added incentive for Congress to act now, these 2023 premium increases will be announced this October, just weeks before the 2022 midterm election.

Tell Congress to extend ACA subsidies for 13 million Americans and don’t leave 2 million poor people uninsured!

We’re on the verge of a critical victory to lower costs for working families and make greedy, tax dodging corporations pay their fair share. Thank you for taking action today.

Frank Clemente
Executive Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund

[1] “Wyden Releases Interim Report in Big Pharma Tax Investigation,” U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, July 7, 2022
[2] “How do prescription drug costs in the United States compare to other countries?” Health System Tracker, Feb. 8, 2022