Press Release
United States of Care Responds to 2023 State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. — United States of Care just released a statement from CEO and co-founder Natalie Davis on President Joseph R. Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address:
“Over the past few years, the United States has faced several onerous and, frankly, unprecedented challenges. In many ways, these events have exacerbated existing divisions within our society, shining a spotlight on the fractures that persist and grow larger in America. However, we have also seen areas of cooperation, innovation, and partnership.
“Tonight, we were pleased to see the President elevate the issues we know matter to people across party lines and demographics. In an era of often-bitterly divided government, we are seeing signs of progress and cooperation.
“Over the last two years, we have seen the President and Congress work hand-in-hand across party lines to deliver on important health care priorities with real meaning for people. When we cut through the noise, what we have learned is that progress is possible. Change is possible. Bipartisanship and compromise are possible. We have been thrilled to see many instances of Democrats and Republicans working together to pass common-sense legislation and improve the health care system for everyone.
“Through our thousands of conversations with people across the country, United States of Care knows that affordability is top of mind for people when it comes to health coverage. In 2022, President Biden and Congress delivered:
- 49 million Medicare beneficiaries no longer face outrageous price hikes for prescription drugs. Medicare now has the power to negotiate the prices of 80 of the most expensive medications directly with drug companies, which is expected to save billions of tax dollars while substantially lowering costs for Medicare recipients.
- The 80% of people living with Diabetes who have taken out debt to pay for prescriptions will now have a price cap of $35 per month on this critical medication.
- 37 States plus the District of Columbia have extended (or plan to extend) Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months following pregnancy.
- Medicare beneficiaries, including people living in rural communities and those with unreliable transportation, will now have access to expanded Telehealth services for an additional two years.
- As the Public Health Emergency ends, guardrails have been established to prevent people from losing coverage prematurely while at the same time paving the way for states to support solutions that provide access to affordable care for people who will no longer qualify for Medicaid.
“Despite all of this progress in 2022, the American health care system still has a very long way to go to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, dependable, and personalized care that they can understand. United States of Care is focused on championing change towards people-centered solutions to the pressing challenges in our health care system. We look forward to continued collaboration with the White House and Congress in 2023 and beyond.”
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About United States of Care
United States of Care is a nonpartisan organization committed to ensuring that everyone has access to quality, affordable health care.