As members of Congress headed home over the recess, Republican lawmakers were hit by a deluge of pleas to protect Medicaid for the 72 million Americans who rely on it for health care. From California to Maine, during town halls and press conferences, constituents across the country made it clear: cuts to Medicaid are unacceptable.
Tomorrow, Republicans in the House of Representatives will vote on their budget resolution after the GOP Senate approved its own last week. Recent reporting shows congressional Republicans intend to slash Medicaid funding by at least $880 billion and up to $2 trillion to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and big corporations, resulting in millions losing coverage, including children, new moms, seniors, and people with disabilities. Last week, President Trump endorsed the House budget plan and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick confirmed the GOP plan to dismantle Medicaid includes at least “a trillion” in cuts. Americans across party lines oppose cuts to Medicaid, and new polling finds that a majority of Americans think the government should spend more on health care — not less.
HEADLINES:
New York Times: Republicans Face Angry Voters at Town Halls, Hinting at Broader Backlash.
- “It was a nod to the uncertainty surrounding the Republican budget plan, even as House leaders hope to hold a vote on it within days. Already, the level of cuts they are contemplating to Medicaid has drawn resistance from some G.O.P. lawmakers whose constituents depend heavily on the program, raising questions about whether they will have the votes to pass their blueprint at all.”
Axios: Some Republicans Shrug Off DOGE Protests and Town Halls.
- “Why it matters: The muted reaction signals at least some willingness, even by electorally vulnerable Republicans, to continue marching into this firestorm on behalf of the president to whom they’ve tethered their fates.”
- “‘House Republicans have galvanized voters across the country to come out in protest against their Medicaid cuts, veteran layoffs, and defunding of health care for 9/11 first responders,’ said CJ Warnke, a spokesperson for Democrats’ House Majority PAC.”
New York Times: Medicaid Cuts Pose Budget Conundrum for Valadao and Republicans Nationwide.
- “With the House in recess this week, angry constituents across the country, even in deep-red districts, confronted Republicans about the sharp cuts they are proposing and Mr. Trump is making to every corner of the government.”
- “Further complicating the picture for Republicans, Mr. Trump promised on the campaign trail not to touch Medicare — and added in an interview that aired this week that he also did not want to lay a finger on Medicaid. The next day, he endorsed the House blueprint that calls for doing just that.”
Wisconsin Public Radio: US Rep. Glenn Grothman Faces Hostile Crowd at Oshkosh Town Hall Meeting.
- “One woman asked Grothman if he would oppose the House’s upcoming government funding bill if it includes cuts to Social Security and Medicaid. ‘Certainly, if Social Security is cut,’ he answered. ‘And Medicaid, we’ll have to see.’ In response to a different question, Grothman said cutting Medicaid funding ‘would be a mistake.’”
Hermiston Herald: Bentz’s Pendleton Town Hall Draws Major Crowd, Criticism.
- “Harry Geller, CEO of CHI St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton, was one of a few people asking about Medicare and Medicaid. Bentz said he understands how ‘terrifically important’ rural hospitals are and told Geller someone from his office would reach out.”
The New Republic: Republican Congressman Faces Backlash at Town Hall Furious at Trump.
- “McCormick’s comments on Medicare and Medicaid also drew immediate backlash. ‘If you don’t do something with Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, which is 75 percent of our budget–’ This comment, a far cry from the Republicans’ earlier promise not to touch these programs, led to an uproar from the crowd, as some constituents even yelled out ‘no it isn’t’ in response to the 75 percent line McCormick rattled off. Others implored him to tax billionaires rather than cut programs that people use every day.”
The Arizona Republic: Rep. Juan Ciscomani Signals Doubt About GOP’s Proposed Medicaid Spending Cuts.
- “Slashing Medicaid, which is a government health insurance program for primarily low-income people, ‘would have serious consequences, particularly in rural and predominantly Hispanic communities where hospitals and nursing homes are already struggling to keep their doors open,’ Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., and seven other Hispanic GOP members of the House of Representatives wrote in a Feb. 19 letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.”
- “The advocacy group Protect Our Care has invested in a “Hands Off Medicaid” campaign that’s part of a $10 million national effort. The campaign includes examples of how the program helps lower-income people access care without going into medical debt.”
Politico: California Playbook: Can Valadao Avoid His Health Care Kryptonite?
- “The Republican congressman, whose Central Valley district is being bombarded with TV ads pressuring him not to slash Medicaid, is parrying the Democratic-led campaign by withholding his support for a House resolution to cut at least $1.5 trillion from the federal budget — a goal that would be impossible to meet without reductions to the popular health care program.”
Georgia Public Broadcasting: Georgia Today: Possible Medicaid Cuts; Child Care Tax Credit; Postmaster General Dejoy to Step Down.
- “Republicans are weighing billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, jeopardizing health care coverage for some of the 80 million U.S. adults and children enrolled in the safety net program. Georgia’s Democratic congressional delegation says possible cuts to Medicaid will endanger those who depend on it, and among those people are seniors. Georgia Representative Hank Johnson says more than 60% of nursing home patients are on Medicaid.”
Fox23: State Lawmaker Joins Portland Rally Against Medicaid Cuts.
- “Members of the group “Protect Our Care Maine” say potential budget cuts could jeopardize funding for hospitals, strain the state budget, and hurt Maine families.”
- “‘The GOP is putting healthcare at risk for 417,000 or 30% of Mainers, including 61,000 seniors, 109,000 children, and 60,000 people with disabilities,’ State Rep. Anne Graham said.”
Maine Morning Star: U.S. Senate Dems Issue Warning on ‘Massive Cuts’ to Medicaid Predicted in GOP Budget.
- “Pushback also occurred in Maine on Wednesday, with State Rep. Annie Graham (D-North Yarmouth) joining Protect Our Care, a Democratic-aligned health care advocacy group, for a press conference in Portland to similarly criticize possible GOP cuts to Medicaid. Since rural communities rely on Medicaid more than urban areas, cuts to the federal program would hurt states like Maine disproportionately, potentially leaving thousands in the state without affordable health care.”
WGME: State Lawmaker Joins Portland Rally Against Medicaid Cuts.
- “A state lawmaker joined a group in Portland on Wednesday, calling for the protection of Medicaid funding and slamming proposed cuts by President Trump and Congress. Members of the group “Protect Our Care Maine” say potential budget cuts could jeopardize funding for hospitals, strain the state budget, and hurt Maine families.”
Maine Public: Health Care Advocates Are Calling On State Lawmakers to Protect Medicaid Funding.
- “At a Portland press conference Wednesday, some raised concerns that failure to pass the supplemental budget next week will jeopardize funding for hospitals, strain the state budget and prevent Mainers from receiving the care they need.”
The Tip Sheet: Experts Warn Medicaid Cuts Threaten New Hampshire’s Budget and Health Care Access.
- “Research Director, New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute and Lisa Beaudoin – Disability policy professional, Strategies for Disability Equity joined Protect Our Care NH to highlight the devastating impact of proposed Medicaid funding cuts on New Hampshire’s families, hospitals, and state budget. The discussion focused on how block grants, spending caps, and restrictive reporting measures could force the state to absorb up to $493 million annually in lost federal Medicaid funds, putting essential health care services at risk.”
Long Island Herald: Medicaid Cuts Threaten Long Island Healthcare Access.
- “According to Nate Jackson, NY Director of Protect our Care, these cuts will hurt Long Island families, jeopardize funding for hospitals and strain the state healthcare budget. Children, new moms, seniors and people with disabilities across Nassau and Suffolk counties rely on Medicaid to cover essential health care costs.”
NCNewsline: US, NC Representatives Blast GOP Plan to Slash Medicaid Funding for North Carolina.
- “U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross and state Rep. Sarah Crawford spoke at a virtual press conference Wednesday sponsored by the advocacy group Protect Our Care to condemn congressional Republicans for including cuts to Medicaid funding in their latest proposed budget plan.”
Lehigh Valley News: Outside Congressman’s Office, Protesters Make Noise Over Potential Medicaid Cuts.
- “Bearing signs and chanting, “Stand up, fight back!,” more than 100 protesters gathered outside U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s office Wednesday to urge him to stand against potential cuts to Medicaid.”
WFMZ: Rally Held Outside Local Congressman’s Office, as Lawmakers Consider Cutting Funding From Medicaid.
- “A rally was held outside Congressman Ryan Mackenzie’s South Cedar Crest, 7th Congressional District office. ‘He’s going to vote on this and it’s going to be so tight, every vote is going to make a difference. He can make a difference to our kids,’ said pediatrician Linda Famigilo.”
Fox43: PA. Healthcare Workers Rally Against Medicaid Cuts Concerns in Nursing Care Push.
- “Healthcare workers from across Pennsylvania gathered in Cumberland County for a rally this week, voicing their concerns about the future of skilled nursing facilities and possible Medicaid funding cuts.”
WJAC: Area residents protest proposed cuts to Medicaid
- “Local residents were protesting in Blair County on Friday, outside of Representative John Joyce’s office, ahead of a vote on a budget that could affect Medicaid.”
WTAJ: Local federal, healthcare workers demand Joyce vote ‘no’ to Medicaid cuts
- “Local veterans, federal employees and healthcare workers protested outside of Congressman John Joyce’s (R-13th District) Altoona office Friday, asking him to vote, “No” to proposed cuts to Medicaid spending.”
Altoona Mirror: Dozens protest Medicaid cuts
- “About 25 individuals demonstrated Friday in front of the local office of U.S. Rep. John Joyce, R-Altoona, in opposition to the Trump administration’s budget proposal to cut billions from Medicaid, a federal-state program that covers health care costs for people with limited income and resources.”
Dominion Post: Local Health Systems Concerned Over Possible Medicaid Cuts.
- “The Trump administration effort to trim the federal deficit and the national debt has many worried that Medicaid might take a hit – affecting the healthcare for low-income citizens.”
Your Alaska Link: Alaskans Rally Against Trump’s Government Overhaul, Demanding Change.
- “People are protesting right along the street here to protect their democracy, Medicaid, access to education and other rights.”
- “‘Don’t take the Medicare and Medicaid. Do not let the children starve, people. It doesn’t matter what party you’re on,’ stated Ana.”
Detroit News: Opinion: Brian Peters: Protecting Medicaid Protects Michigan.
Brian Peters is CEO of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association.
- “As the CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, I know firsthand what Medicaid cuts would do to hospitals, essential services, Michigan’s healthcare industry and the economy as a whole. Medicaid is an important program across all state hospitals, but especially for the 65 rural hospitals that depend on it to keep their doors open.”
VIDEOS
California
- KPFA: Health Care Policy Advocate Leslie Dach Analyzes the New Republican Budget With Proposed Radical Dismantling of Medicare and Medicaid.
- KUSI [San Diego FOX]
- KPBS [San Diego NPR]
- KOGO [San Diego Radio]
- KNSD [San Diego NBC]
- KGTV [San Diego ABC]
Iowa
- WHO-DM: Iowans call on Rep. Nunn to save Medicaid
- KDSM: Iowans deliver a petition to Rep. Nunn’s office
North Carolina
- WPTF: Protect Our Care launches a multimillion dollar “Hands Off Medicaid” campaign
- WPTF: Protect Our Care launches a multimillion dollar “Hands Off Medicaid” campaign
- WPTF: Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach Interview