03.08.2024 / Statement

Health care is a right, not a privilege: President Biden highlights progress making health care more affordable and equitable for all

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yael Lehmann, interim executive director of Families USA, issued the following statement on critical health care achievements and initiatives outlined during the President’s State of the Union address.

“President Biden has focused intently on protecting the health and wallets of American families by building an economy that gives all of us a fair shot, leaves no one behind and puts the reckless business tactics of greedy corporations in check.

“His vision for the future is one of lower costs for health care, prescription drugs, and insurance premiums; strong protections for reproductive health and rights and stalwart defense of critical programs like the Affordable Care Act, Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare – which help ensure that all families, regardless of where they live, where they are from or how much money they make, have access to affordable, equitable and high quality care.

“Thanks to his efforts, families in America have improved coverage options and better protection against surprise medical bills and health insurance junk fees to prevent them from going into debt or getting ripped off. He’s promised to keep the momentum going by making health insurance tax credits permanent, closing the Medicaid coverage gap and ensuring families who rely on the program for their health care don’t lose coverage due to weaponized paperwork.

“One of the President’s most significant achievements is taking on big drug companies that drive high prescription drug costs. He’s helped older adults save money on their life-saving medication by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices for the first time—and wants the program to help even more people by negotiating prices for at least 50 drugs per year. To give all Americans the peace of mind that they can fill their prescriptions without skipping doses or forgoing them altogether, he’s calling on Congress to expand the $2,000 out-of-pocket Medicare prescription drug cap to all private insurance.

“President Biden’s speech showed us that progress and possibilities for a stronger, more equitable health care system are endless when we are committed to putting people over politics and prioritizing patients over corporate greed.”