A screenshot of the ProtectOurCare ad, first published on April 13, 2022, praised Axne’s record of affordable medical practices in Congress. (Submitted)
On April 13, Protect Our Care released a new ad praising Cindy Axne, a Democratic U.S. member of the Third Parliamentary District of Iowa, for reducing family health care costs.
The 30-second ad is part of a $ 5 million campaign for television and streaming services in eight major districts across the country by left-wing medical advocates. Protect Our Care, a 501 (c) (4) project under the Incubator 16 30 Fund, lobbying for patient protection and affordable care law protection, commonly known as “Obama Care”. The law began at the beginning of the March 2020 pandemic. This ad has been duplicated with the same claim to other representatives of Congress.
Let’s take a look at the ad claims. It introduces Axne in this statement before initiating the three claims.
“Too many families are worried about the cost of medical and prescription drugs, so Congressman Cindy Axne did something about it.”
Claim: “… pass a bipartisan bill banning surprising medical expenses.”
Protect Our Care quoted an article from CNN Politics published in December 2020. This is about Congress’s move to stop sudden medical billing as part of a spending transaction.
Surprising medical billing occurs when a health insurance patient receives care from an off-network doctor or hospital, or from an off-network healthcare provider while being cared for at a facility within the network. rice field.
The new rules aim to protect patients by limiting excessive out-of-pocket costs and allowing them to continue emergency services without prior permission, regardless of whether they are in the insurance network or not. increase.
“Previously, if consumers had health insurance and were cared for by off-network providers, their health plans usually did not cover the entire off-network costs,” Medicaid said. & The description of Medicaid Service Center is stated. “Often, off-network providers may charge consumers the difference between the amount charged by the provider and the amount paid by the consumer’s health insurance. This is called a balance claim. . “
This idea was first introduced in the HR 3630, a no-surprise law that was forwarded to the entire Commission by voice vote in July 2019. After that, no action was taken on the idea until it was incorporated into the integrated budget law HR 133. It was signed by President Donald Trump on December 27, 2020.
Although the Integrated Expenditure Act was significantly broader than the protection of sudden medical bills, Axne voted for HR133 alongside many other Democrats and Republicans.
Axne didn’t pass the bill herself, but her vote helped pass it.Instep species
Claim: “Currently, Congresswoman Axne is working to further reduce costs by empowering Medicare to negotiate drug price cuts and limiting insulin costs.”
This claim can be divided into two parts. One is for Medicare drug negotiations and the other is for limiting the cost of insulin.
For the former, Protect Our Care quoted Vox’s article on House Democrats who passed the $ 185 trillion Social Spending Bill, the Build Back Better Act.
Among many others on the Democratic wish list, the bill requires the Department of Health and Social Welfare, which manages Medicare and Medicaid, to negotiate the highest prices for certain branded drugs under Medicare. Was included.
Axne voted in favor of the bill, which was largely passed along the House party line in November 2021.
For the latter, Protect Our Care quoted an article about house passing through the HR 6833, Affordable Insulin Now Act. This limits the patient’s insulin price to $ 35 per month or 25% of the negotiated price of the insurance plan, whichever is lower.
Axne also voted in favor of the bill. The bill passed the House of Representatives with a slightly higher margin than the Buildback Better Act.
Insulin costs in Iowa are a hot topic. On April 1, Democrats in Iowa criticized Republican U.S. lawmakers Randy Feenstra and Ashley Hinson for voting on insulin cost caps.
The Affordable Insulin Now Act was accepted by the Senate on April 4, and no further action has been taken since then.
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Conclusion
Based solely on her vote on the three bills in question, the ad gets a relatively simple A for all measurable claims filed.
Axne’s election, which defeated incumbent US Congressman David Young in 2018, was partially successful with her message on Young’s health records. Young’s vote to abolish and replace the Affordable Care Act in 2017 was a highlight of the race.
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The Fact Checker team checks what Iowa’s politicians or officers, or national candidates / officers, have made about Iowa or in political or public policy advertisements displayed on our market.
Claims must be independently verifiable. Grade the statement from A to F based on accuracy and context.
If you find a complaint that you think needs confirmation, please email factchecker@thegazette.com.
Members of the fact checker team are Elijah Decious, Erin Jordan, Marissa Payne and Michaela Ramm. This fact checker was researched and created by Elijah Decious.
