Protect Our Care Bus Tour Visits Cedar Rapids

The nationwide tour highlights rising health care costs and access ahead of the November midterm elections.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Cancer

Screen-print poster illustration of a bus on a country road, evoking the theme of national health advocacy travel. — Advocates are touring Iowa and other regions to gather public testimony on healthcare affordability and coverage ahead of the November midterm elections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Is the rising cost of health care the most important issue facing voters this election?

The Care Force One bus tour stopped in Cedar Rapids to engage with residents about health care costs and insurance coverage. Advocates and lawmakers are traveling across the country to discuss these issues with voters.

Why it matters

Organizers aim to bring attention to health care access and affordability concerns before the upcoming midterm elections in November. The tour collects personal experiences from individuals facing coverage challenges and rising expenses.

The tour includes 40 stops across the country to address national health care issues. The total number of events scheduled for the remainder of the tour remains subject to change as the campaign progresses.

The players

Lindsay James

She is an Iowa state representative and a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District.

Laura Packard

She is a health care advocate who has been active since her cancer diagnosis in 2017.

The details

The tour features advocates like Laura Packard, who has campaigned on health issues since her 2017 cancer diagnosis. State Representative Lindsay James, a candidate in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, joined the effort to inform local voters about current health care realities.

October 22, 2026: Protect Our Care bus tour stopped in Cedar Rapids.
October 23, 2026: Bus tour visits Davenport and Des Moines.
November 2026: Midterm elections occur.
2017: Laura Packard received a cancer diagnosis.

Health Landscape

This tour follows a pattern set by advocacy groups aiming to protect and expand upon the framework of the Affordable Care Act consumer protections. It reflects a broader effort to maintain visibility for health policy issues during major election cycles.

Residents in the area may engage with the tour to share personal stories regarding insurance coverage and health care costs. These interactions provide a direct channel for voters to voice their concerns to representatives before the midterm elections.

The takeaway

The tour highlights how local engagement serves as a critical mechanism for voters to influence health policy discussions. Individuals concerned about insurance access can monitor future stops to ensure their feedback reaches legislative candidates.