Republicans Want to Slash Health Care and Threaten a Lifeline for Over 72 Million Americans to Fund Tax Breaks for Billionaires
This week, Protect Our Care joined health care advocates and union members for press conferences in California, New York, and Pennsylvania to tell Congress that Medicaid cuts must be off the table as Republicans negotiate a forthcoming budget reconciliation package. Leading Republicans are ramping up threats to cut Medicaid in order to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. This would mean ripping away health care from millions of families who count on it, including kids, moms, seniors, people of color, rural Americans, workers whose employers don’t provide health insurance, and people with disabilities. Medicaid is the largest health insurance program in the country, providing health care to more than 70 million Americans. The consequences of any cuts to Medicaid would touch nearly every household in America.
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA
Yesterday, outside the office of Rep. David Valadao (CA-22), SEIU-UHW and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care for a “Hands off Medicaid” rally calling out Republicans’ efforts to gut federal funding for Medicaid, which would force the state to slash benefits and coverage for millions of Californians.
- CBS Eyewitness News at 5 on KBAK: Medicaid Rally Outside Rep. Valadao Office
- Bakersfield Now – CBS KBAK/FOX 58: Healthcare workers rally against Medicaid cuts outside Congressman’s Valadao’s office
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
Yesterday, outside the office of Rep. Ken Calvert (CA-41), SEIU-UHW and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care for a “Hands off Medicaid” rally calling out Republicans’ efforts to gut federal funding for Medicaid, which would force the state to slash benefits and coverage for millions of Californians.
- KESQ ABC 3: Residents rally against Medicaid cuts outside Congressman Calvert’s office (Spanish: KUNA (TEL))
- KMIR – NBC Palm Springs news at 5: Seniors, Health Care Workers Rally Against Proposed Medicaid Cuts Outside Calvert’s Office
- KDFX (FOX) – Palm Springs, CA: Medi-Cal Rally “Hands Off Our Healthcare” – Preview
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA
Yesterday, outside the office of Rep. Young Kim (CA-40), SEIU-UHW and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care for a “Hands off Medicaid” rally calling out Republicans’ efforts to gut federal funding for Medicaid, which would force the state to slash benefits and coverage for millions of Californians.
PATCHOGUE, NEW YORK
Yesterday, outside the office of Rep. Andrew Garbarino (NY-2), 1199SEIU and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care for a “Hands off Medicaid” rally calling out Republicans’ efforts to gut federal funding for Medicaid, which would force the state to slash benefits and coverage for millions of New Yorkers. “I’m out here today in the freezing cold because so many of our seniors depend on Medicaid, but I’m worried about the program’s future,” said Sheike Ward-Kidd, an activities aide at a Long Island nursing home. “Where would my residents go if extremist politicians slashed the program to pay for huge tax cuts for their billionaire donors? Not only would my residents lose access to their healthcare, their medicine, their meals, their activities, their friends and their caregivers, but they would lose the only home they now have if the extremists had their way.”
PEARL RIVER, NEW YORK
Yesterday, outside the office of Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17) 1199SEIU and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care for a “Hands off Medicaid” rally calling out Republicans’ efforts to gut federal funding for Medicaid, which would force the state to slash benefits and coverage for millions of New Yorkers. “We are here today to raise the alarm that federal Medicaid cuts by the incoming administration would have a devastating impact on millions of Americans,” said Milly Silva, Secretary Treasurer of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, which represents 450,000 healthcare workers throughout the East Coast. “It would impact every community, including right here in New York where seven million residents benefit from the Medicaid and CHIP programs. Our message is simple: all elected leaders, regardless of party affiliation, must totally reject any attempts to weaken the Medicaid program.”
- LoHud: Healthcare Workers Speak Out Against Medicaid Cuts at Mike Lawler’s Office
HAUPPAUGE, NEW YORK
Yesterday, outside the office of Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-1), 1199SEIU and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care for a “Hands off Medicaid” rally calling out Republicans’ efforts to gut federal funding for Medicaid, which would force the state to slash benefits and coverage for millions of New Yorkers. “We want a future where everyone can get high quality healthcare, no matter their income or where they live. But we will never achieve healthcare justice if we are facing deep and devastating cuts instead,” said Cynthia Ngombe, Healthcare Advocate at the Healthcare Education Project, an initiative of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and the Greater New York Hospital Association. “We are asking our elected officials to stand with the most vulnerable members of their communities, and keep their hands off Medicaid.”
LANGHORNE, PENNSYLVANIA
Yesterday, outside the office of Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), SEIU and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care for a “Hands off Medicaid” rally calling out Republicans’ efforts to gut federal funding for Medicaid, which would force the state to slash benefits and coverage for millions of Pennsylvanians. “Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress plan to turn their backs on working families by passing a fresh round of tax breaks benefitting billionaires and ultra-wealthy corporations, said Rachele Fortier of the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy. “They plan to pay for these tax breaks with cuts to care programs like Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and Head Start. Pennsylvanians need affordable, high-quality child care, home and community-based care for the aging and disabled, and lower costs for their life-saving medications – not another tax break for big corporations and the ultra-wealthy.”
ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
Yesterday, outside the office of Rep. Ryan MacKenzie (PA-07), SEIU and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care for a “Hands off Medicaid” rally calling out Republicans’ efforts to gut federal funding for Medicaid, which would force the state to slash benefits and coverage for millions of Pennsylvanians. “The loss of Medicaid would impact my three-year-old daughter’s physical and emotional health. My daughter suffers from eczema,” said Magdara Pierre, Make the Road PA Allentown Member Leader. “Without health insurance, access to preventive services, such as vaccines and regular checkups, her health is compromised. This could increase the risk that preventable diseases that are not detected in time, which could lead to more serious complications.”
JENKINS TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA
Yesterday, outside UFCW 1776, SEIU and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care for a “Hands off Medicaid” rally calling out Republicans’ efforts to gut federal funding for Medicaid, which would force the state to slash benefits and coverage for millions of Pennsylvanians.