Protect Our Care: Closing the Medicaid Coverage Gap in Build Back Better Act Will Save Lives, Improve Coverage for Millions, Reduce Racial Disparities in Health Care

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSPol) -- Protect Our Care issued the following statement on Oct. 28, 2021:

* * *

Democrats secured a provision to close the Medicaid coverage gap as part of the Build Back Better Act framework. Closing the Medicaid coverage gap will finally extend health insurance to over four million people in the 12 states that have rejected Medicaid expansion and address deep racial inequities in our health care system. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse released the following statement:

"This historic expansion of health insurance coverage will finally ensure that Americans in states like Georgia, South Carolina, and Wisconsin will be able to access affordable, quality care.

"Because of Republicans' partisan war on health care, millions of people have been left uninsured in 12 states -- it's just not right.

"Thanks to the hard work of Majority Whip James E. Clyburn and Senators Rev. Raphael Warnock, Tammy Baldwin, Jon Ossoff, as well as President Biden and the Democratic leadership, the promise of Medicaid expansion in every state is finally a reality.

"Medicaid is a lifeline; it reduces racial disparities in health care, creates healthier communities and strengthens economies. The health care measures in Build Back Better will lower costs and improve and expand access to lifesaving care."