Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Laura Packard

@laurapackard.com

140K followers 1.4K following 580 posts

Founder @healthcarevoices.org @voicesofhealthcare.org, Exec Dir Health Care Voter, Principal PowerThru LLC, host weekly streaming health care call-in show & podcast #CareTalk, #CancerSurvivor, Speaking Inquiries @collectivespeakers.bsky.social, she/her

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Laura Packard @laurapackard.com · Nov 15

For those that don’t know me, I’m the stage 4 cancer survivor that was blocked by Trump on Twitter in 2017, while he was trying to strip away my/our health care. Shared my story with Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention in 2020. In remission, and fighting for your health care every day.

I’m a stage 4 cancer survivor and the Affordable Care Act saved my life. We’re not going back.

61 230 1.2K

Laura Packard @laurapackard.com · 50m

“This is a great victory for patients in Colorado, because what good are medications to patients if we can’t afford to access them?”-me

Jesse Aaron Paul @jesseapaul.bsky.social · 1d

Colorado just became the first state to cap the price of a prescription drug. What comes next is uncertain. coloradosun.com/2025/10/07/p... #copolitics #coleg

Colorado just became the first state to cap the price of a prescription drug. What comes next is uncertain.

The Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board imposed a first-in-the-nation price cap on the drug Enbrel, starting in 2017.

coloradosun.com

6 23

Reposted by Laura Packard

Voices of Health Care Action @voicesofhealthcare.org · 21h

Why did the government shut down? Republicans in Congress failed to extend help for middle class families to afford health care, prioritizing billionaires.

Learn more from @laurapackard.com @shoupshouts.bsky.social @protectourcare.org: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyFP...

Shocking Truth About Health Coverage Costs!

YouTube video by Voices of Health Care Action

youtube.com

12 20

Laura Packard @laurapackard.com · 1d

Virginians need and deserve lower drug prices now. And next year could be our chance for change.
My latest, for @vadogwoodnews.bsky.social.

OPINION: Virginia needs lower drug prices now

As a Virginian and a cancer survivor, lowering the cost of prescription drugs is deeply personal to me. While going through treatment, I nearly died without a pricey medication that my insurance wouldn’t cover. I spent a week in the hospital recovering.

vadogwood.com

6 17

Reposted by Laura Packard

MSW Media @mswmedia.com · 1d

New #CareTalk⚕️with @laurapackard.com of @healthcarevoices.org #MSWMedia

Guest: Laura Rodriguez of
@americanprogress.bsky.social

Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

5 7

Laura Packard @laurapackard.com · 1d

On #CareTalk live Laura Rodriguez @americanprogress.bsky.social talks about government shutdown w/ me @healthcarevoices.org @mswmedia.com & Diane @socialsecurityworks.org @louisenorris.bsky.social @healthinsuranceorg.bsky.social answer your health ins q’s

The Government Shut Down. Now What? #CareTalk

Laura Packard

www.youtube.com

3 6

Laura Packard @laurapackard.com · 1d

Trump and the Republicans are so determined to take away our health care that they are keeping the government shut down to do it. #TrumpsHealthcareShutdown

5 16 41

Laura Packard @laurapackard.com · 2d

So our government did shut down. Now what?
Learn more from my conversation with @shoupshouts.bsky.social @protectourcare.org⁩: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyFP...

What Really Happens When The Government Shuts Down?

So our government did shut down. Now what? Learn more from my conversation with Anne Shoup @ProtectOurCare: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyFPvV1BxxY #governmentshutdown #healthcare #healthinsurance

youtube.com

1 6 11

Reposted by Laura Packard

KFF @kff.org · 2d

KFF polling suggests many Marketplace enrollees would be surprised by the jump in their premiums if the enhanced premium tax credits aren’t renewed before the 2026 open enrollment period begins on Nov. 1. https://on.kff.org/4q7ElGy

KFF chart showing results from a new KFF Health Tracking Poll about the enhanced subsidies for those with Marketplace health insurance. Its title is "Most Adults Have Heard Little or Nothing About the Enhanced Subsidies for Those Who Purchase Coverage on ACA Marketplaces"

1 14 36

Reposted by Laura Packard

Timothy McBride @mcbridetd.bsky.social · 3d

Congressional District Interactive Map: How Much Will ACA Premium Payments Rise if Enhanced Subsidies Expire? | KFF www.kff.org/affordable-c...

Congressional District Interactive Map: How Much Will ACA Premium Payments Rise if Enhanced Subsidies Expire? | KFF

This analysis and interactive map illustrate how much more enrollees in Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans would pay in premiums at the congressional district level if the enhanced subsidies ...

www.kff.org

60 84

Laura Packard @laurapackard.com · 3d

"Any day now I'm going to get a letter in the mail with my premiums for next year.. She's [Winsome Earle-Sears] not doing a thing to support Virginians like me."-me
www.wusa9.com/video/news/l...

Virginia GOP gov. candidate Winsome Earle-Sears speaks at Mothers for Liberty event amid protests

Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears' appearance at a Mothers for Liberty event drew protesters.

www.wusa9.com

2 1 9

Reposted by Laura Packard

Voices of Health Care Action @voicesofhealthcare.org · 4d

Great news! Colorado’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board is the first state in the nation to limit the cost of expensive prescription medications for patients, starting w/ Enbrel. #LowerDrugPricesNow
cohealthinitiative.org/media-releas...

BREAKING: Colorado LEADS nation in lowering cost of medicine

WHY IT MATTERS: CO's Rx Affordability Board is the first in the nation to set a limit on the cost of expensive prescription medications. THANK YOU! Thanks to the Board and state leaders, Enbrel will cost less and save Coloradans money on health care

35 100

Laura Packard @laurapackard.com · 4d

Trump and the Republicans are so determined to take away our health care that they shut the government down to do it. #TrumpsHealthcareShutdown

3 14 54

Reposted by Laura Packard

Protect Our Care @protectourcare.org · 5d

📈 Health care premiums are spiking in Virginia, Idaho, and Georgia.

💸 Virginia Beach: +$1,295/month
💸 Boise: +$1,472/month
💸 Fulton County: +$2,064/month

These numbers don’t lie—and families are paying the price.

6 41 38

Laura Packard @laurapackard.com · 5d

“They’re [Earle-Sears campaign] focused on things that don’t matter and they’re ignoring the millions of Americans whose health care is at risk"-me
We need Virginia's next Governor to listen to us. www.cnn.com/2025/10/03/p... @evamckend.bsky.social @davidwright6.bsky.social

Republicans double down on trans issues as a wedge with Virginia voters | CNN Politics

It’s early on a Thursday evening and Winsome Earle-Sears, Virginia’s Republican candidate for governor, is in a familiar place. She’s standing outside of a school board meeting to call attention to po...

www.cnn.com

5 16

Laura Packard @laurapackard.com · 5d

Health insurance open enrollment is coming soon, for Medicare, Affordable Care Act, and private insurance. This means it's time to choose your coverage for next year. Pay attention to the changes in your policy, because it could cost you.

Learn more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpBG...

Big Changes Coming to Health Insurance in 2025!

YouTube video by Laura Packard

youtube.com

3 18 30

Reposted by Laura Packard

Pete Buttigieg @petebuttigieg.bsky.social · 5d

790 7.3K 24K

Reposted by Laura Packard

Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 6d

In general, if you're running for statewide office, voting is underway, and the election's in just a few weeks, this doesn't seem like the kind of headline you want to see. LOL bluevirginia.us/2025/09/2025... h/t @PollTracker2024

Politics & Poll Tracker referencing this story (https://americanjournalnews.com/tumblr-linked-to-republican-john-reid-engaged-with-nazi-porn-accounts/): "A pornographic blog linked to Virginia lieutenant governor candidate John Reid shared content from accounts that fetishized Nazism and sexual violence.”

14 160 360

Laura Packard @laurapackard.com · 6d

Sharing my health care story yesterday on Capitol Hill with @whipkclark.bsky.social and the @demwomencaucus.bsky.social.

We cannot allow Republicans to take away our health care! Lives depend on it.

Healthcare Activist Shares Emotional Story About Impact Of ACA As A Cancer Survivor

YouTube video by Forbes Breaking News

www.youtube.com

2 13 45

Laura Packard @laurapackard.com · 7d

I will be sharing my story sometime after 4pm.

House Democrats @housedemocrats.bsky.social · 7d

TUNE IN: @RepJeffries and House Democrats are going live for 24 hours as we fight to protect Americans' health care and keep the government open. www.youtube.com/live/2dm-OKj...

Stop the Republican Shutdown

YouTube video by Rep. Jeffries

www.youtube.com

6 20

Laura Packard @laurapackard.com · 7d

I will be one of the first speakers at 4pm

1 1 8

Reposted by Laura Packard

House Democrats @housedemocrats.bsky.social · 7d

TUNE IN: @RepJeffries and House Democrats are going live for 24 hours as we fight to protect Americans' health care and keep the government open. www.youtube.com/live/2dm-OKj...

Stop the Republican Shutdown

YouTube video by Rep. Jeffries

www.youtube.com

13 59 89

Reposted by Laura Packard

Health Care Voices @healthcarevoices.org · 8d

When some people lose health insurance, it impacts everyone, increasing all of our costs and shutting hospitals down which limits access.

Learn more from @louisenorris.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpBG...