U.S. Chamber Endorsement Puts Spotlight on Tillis’ Anti-Health Care Record

U.S. Chamber Endorsement Puts Spotlight on Tillis’ Anti-Health Care Record

Lobby for big corporations pushed aggressively to repeal ACA, fought against lower drug costs

Raleigh, N.C. -  Today, the Piedmont Rising released the following statement after the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of Senator Thom Tillis. The U.S. Chamber, the largest corporate lobbyist organization in the nation, has consistently fought to undermine the Affordable Care Act and worked against legislation that would lower the cost of prescription drugs.

“In the midst of a pandemic that has seen hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians lose their jobs and their health care, Senator Tillis is accepting the endorsement of anti-health care, anti-worker special interests,” said Piedmont Rising Executive Director Casey Wilkinson. “Unfortunately, Tillis has repeatedly sided with corporate lobbyists by voting to raise premiums, deductibles, and the cost of prescription drugs. Pharmaceutical companies and the insurance industry have enough friends in Washington. Senator Tillis should start voting to protect access to health care, not to make it more expensive.”

Background:

• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supported multiple legislative efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Sen. Tillis has voted seven times to repeal the ACA

• The U.S. Chamber also opposes the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which would limit prescription drug price hikes and out-of-pocket drug costs for Americans. Sen. Tillis has refused to take a position on this legislation

• The U.S. Chamber supported allowing insurance companies to sell “junk” insurance plans that do not comply with the ACA’s requirements to limit out-of-pocket costs and cover Essential Health Benefits, like prescription drugs. Sen. Tillis voted in favor of such plans in 2018

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About Piedmont Rising

Piedmont Rising is a 501(c)4 issue advocacy organization built by and for North Carolinians to advocate for lower insurance premiums and prescription drug costs and to ensure that more people have access to safe and affordable health care. Through grassroots organizing, education, and engagement, we are amplifying our health care stories and holding our elected officials accountable to the people, and issues they were elected to represent. www.piedmontrising.org