U.S. Representative G.K. Butterfield (NC-01), State Officials, and Health Care Advocates Headlined Events in North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia
This week, Protect Our Care hosted events in four states, and nationally, urging Congress to pass additional funding to support the nation’s sustained response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts have warned of severe consequences to the American people without additional funds to maintain testing capacity and supply lifesaving treatments. In a matter of weeks, our ability to fight against COVID-19 will be severely diminished if Congress fails to approve additional funding.
When President Biden took office, his administration had to build a COVID response from nothing. Today, the majority of Americans are vaccinated, boosters are easily obtainable, testing is widespread and convenient, and there are multiple therapeutics to treat COVID — ALL at no cost to Americans. But we can’t stop short. Americans are counting on Congress to vote to provide these critical resources to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, and support a return to normalcy.
NATIONAL
On Wednesday, March 16, health care experts Ezekiel Emanuel and Howard Forman joined local officials from Florida and Wisconsin for a press call urging Congress to pass additional funding in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. During the call, speakers warned of severe consequences without additional funds to maintain testing capacity and supply lifesaving treatments. Failure to pass additional COVID funding threatens the health and safety of the American people and the nation’s ability to recover from the pandemic. Watch the full event here.
NORTH CAROLINA
On Thursday, March 17, Congressman G.K. Butterfield, Dr. Susan Kansagra of the NC Division of Public Health, and Wake County Commissioner Maria Cervania joined Protect Our Care North Carolina to call on Congress to vote to provide additional funding to support the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “President Biden’s administration has made it abundantly clear to Congress that additional funding is needed for tests, treatments, and vaccines to sustain our COVID-19 response,” said Congressman G.K. Butterfield. “Critically, reimbursements for doctors and providers that are caring for the uninsured could end in April – costing North Carolinians more. Wake County Commissioner Maria Cervania added: “As a local government official, I know the importance of widespread testing and treatment. This funding would ensure that we can maintain a significant testing capacity and be prepared for future variants.” You can watch the event here.
COVERAGE:
- Cardinal & Pine: Lack of Funding Will Undermine COVID Response, NC Congressman Says
OHIO
On Thursday, March 17, State Rep. Beth Liston, Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak, and Ohio health care advocates joined Protect Our Care Ohio to call on Congress, including U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), to vote to provide the funding to support the nation’s sustained response to the pandemic as warnings mount about the consequences if Congress fails to provide additional COVID-19 funding. “The work to combat the virus is not done. We’re at a transition point,” said Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak. Congress has not yet provided the funding to sustain a program to keep us safe moving forward. The presidential administration has laid this out as necessary to keep us safe. I’m asking Senator Rob Portman to step up and ensure we’re prepared to protect our families and the economy from COVID. Senator Portman can take this leadership role, and we hope that he will.” You can watch the event here.
PENNSYLVANIA
On Thursday, March 17, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole and State Representative Chris Rabb joined Protect Our Care Pennsylvania, For Our Future Pennsylvania, and other health groups to call on U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-OH) to vote to provide additional funding to support the nation’s sustained response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts have warned of severe consequences to the American people without additional funds to maintain testing capacity and supply lifesaving treatments. In a matter of weeks, our ability to fight against COVID-19 will be severely diminished if Congress fails to approve additional funding. “In cities like Philadelphia, cutting the funds that pay for testing, treatment, and vaccinations for those who don’t have health insurance means putting all of us at risk,” said Pennsylvania Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole. “Congress needs to fund the tools we need so that we don’t find ourselves unarmed against the next threat to public health.” You can watch the event here.
COVERAGE:
- WHYY: Pa. health care leaders and advocates urge Congress to approve more COVID funding
- WCAU-PHI (NBC10 Philadelphia): Philadelphia Healthcare Commissioner Urges More Covid Funding
WEST VIRGINIA
On Thursday, March 17, Dr. Ron Stollings and Dr. Jessica Ice joined Protect Our Care West Virginia today to urge Congress to provide additional funding to support the nation’s sustained response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts have warned of severe consequences to the American people without additional funds to maintain testing capacity and supply lifesaving treatments. In a matter of weeks, our ability to fight against COVID-19 will be severely diminished if Congress fails to approve additional funding. “Let’s not spike the ball before we cross the goal line,” said Dr. Ron Stollings, an internal medicine expert from Madison, WV and state senator representing Boone County. “We’re all experiencing COVID fatigue, but we can’t just sit by and let this funding lapse. We need to be concerned with ongoing testing, vaccinations and antibody treatments, as well as research on any new viruses.” You can watch the event here.
