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Dear Partners: 

Given the reality of COVID-19, the state of the union (SOU) will look different this year. Tomorrow night’s speech marks the first time President Biden will speak to Congress. We anticipate the president will outline his "American Families Plan” largely focused on paid family leave, childcare and free community college. While there is mounting pressure to include health policies, it remains unclear how much the president will focus on health care as a core component of the next infrastructure proposal. We will be listening carefully for any signals of commitment to health care policies. 

A healthy workforce is central to restarting our economy and infrastructure. Our job is to remind the Biden administration and policymakers that health care is central to infrastructure – and the time to be bold is now.

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You can play an important role in lifting up the urgent need to finish what we started in the American Rescue Plan, building on its foundation to lower the cost of health coverage and care over the long run. 

Below are key ways that you can engage and leverage President Biden’s address to the country to lift up what communities need now: 

  • Join us on Twitter. We'll be amplifying a health care message during the event.

  • Amplify our coalition letter. Use social media to highlight our call for the president and Congress to prioritize health care. Some sample tweets from our friends at Families USA: 

  •  -insert organization name- is proud to join @FamiliesUSA @CommCatHealth @NPWF & over 200 other orgs in calling for @POTUS @SenSchumer @LeaderMcConnell @SpeakerPelosi @GOPLeader to prioritize health care in this upcoming package. #FamiliesWantHealthReform https://bit.ly/3vgJQVY  

  • This recovery package must be a transformational health care bill that is centered in equity & deliver on true affordability & coverage. -insert organization name- is proud to join nearly 200 other orgs in calling for health care in this upcoming package.  #FamiliesWantHealthReform https://bit.ly/3vgJQVY  

  • The American Rescue Plan’s improvements to make health plans more affordable must be made permanent – there is no going back. Nearly 200 organizations agree: #FamiliesWantHealthReform https://bit.ly/3vgJQVY  

  • Part of recovery is making sure everyone is safe and healthy. Immigrants need access to health care through Medicaid and the marketplace - these investments are critical building back better. #FamiliesWantHealthReform https://bit.ly/3vgJQVY  

  • Use our social media graphics here

  • Share this letter with your members of Congress. Hold them accountable on health care priorities.  

  • Use the opportunity to engage your coalition members and network. Push key messages (below) around health care affordability and the broader set of health care priorities. 

Use these key message points to drive home shared health care priorities: 

  • As the president and Congress iron out the details of the next relief package, the American Families Plan, we must recognize that the work started by the American Rescue Plan is not done.  

  • We have a unique opportunity to continue good policies that are pulling families out of the economic and health crises created by the pandemic and address some of the longstanding barriers that contributed to the disproportionate toll COVID-19 took on low-income people and Black and brown communities as a result of longstanding unfair and discriminatory barriers to economic security. 

  • The next relief package must continue to lower the cost of premiums and other out of pocket costs like prescription drugs that put coverage out of reach for many families.  

  • Temporary policies have lowered the cost of ACA coverage for people who buy their own insurance. They should be permanently enshrined into law in order to provide the peace of mind that affordable, accessible health care can provide.  

  • And the president and Congress must follow through on their promise of bold action on prescription drug costs by empowering Medicare to negotiate drug prices. 

  • We’re glad the president and Congress are still working to support people’s ongoing recovery from the pandemic and look forward to working to advance an American Families Plan that builds back better by making health coverage and care more affordable, accessible and equitable for all of America's families. 

In solidarity,  

Eva Marie Stahl
Director of Policy and Partnerships

About Community Catalyst:
Community Catalyst works to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill.
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