Skip to main content
Category

News

ashoup
In News

Running Scared: Republicans Scramble To Determine How To Take Away Americans’ Health Care to Fund Tax Breaks for the Wealthy

Over the next few weeks, Republicans in Congress will have to put pen to paper and codify their scheme to use massive Medicaid cuts to bankroll tax breaks for the wealthy. Their plan could force seniors out of nursing homes, jeopardize the health care of half of all children in America, and take lifesaving care away from people with disabilities. With nowhere left to hide, key Republicans are scrambling as they feel the consequences of how cruel and unpopular their plan is.

Poll after poll after poll finds a majority of voters, including most Republican voters, oppose any cuts to Medicaid. Facing continued pushback from constituents and widespread public outcry, Republicans are feeling the heat for their decision to target the nation’s largest health care provider just to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. Taking a dollar from Americans’ health care to hand a dollar to already-rich people is unfair and indefensible. The GOP is prioritizing billionaires and big companies over everyday Americans, and the fight to stop them is just getting started.

Politico: ‘It’s a dangerous situation’: GOP Rep. with most Medicaid constituents sends a warning

  • “What can pass the Senate? Don’t ask a bunch of us in the House just to vote for something that will fail in the Senate and or get vetoed by the President on things that we’re very, very concerned with,” he said. “It’s a dangerous situation,” he added, referring to President Donald Trump’s vague pledges to not cut Medicaid, save for changes addressing waste, fraud and abuse.
    • Valadao is representative of a broader bloc of House Republicans worried about the potential impacts of deep Medicaid cuts on patients and hospitals — and the potential political blowback. He also raised concerns about other GOP proposals to push federal food aid costs onto states – which, paired with changes to Medicaid, could hit millions of low-income Americans.
    • Valadao lost his seat in Congress in 2018 after voting to repeal the Democrats’ 2010 health law, and has treaded lightly on the issue ever since. 
  •  But Valadao is leaving the door open to capping the overall funding for certain beneficiaries in the 41 states that have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, like California, while also creating a “rainy day fund” for individual states. “I still think $500 billion is a lot, depending on how they score things,” Valadao said, but added the cost estimate “might be all foo-foo numbers just to make people happy.”

Fox News: Trump slams Republican ‘grandstanders’ opposing budget bill, predicts massive US tax increases if it fails 

  • [President Trump] said his bill has “100% just about Republican support,” adding it “would be nice if we had just a couple of Democrats just to make sure, because, you know, every once in a while, you have a grandstander Republican. We have some grandstanders.” As the crowd booed, Trump noted there were “not many” Republicans opposing his bill, but he urged viewers to “remember who those grandstanders were and vote them the hell out of office.” Trump cautioned that if the bill fails, the U.S. is “going to have the highest tax increase in history instead of the greatest tax cut in history.”

Politico: House Republicans raise new Medicaid proposal to offset Trump’s megabill 

  • According to four Republicans who were present for the meeting of GOP members of Energy and Commerce — convened to finalize their panel’s portion of the party’s megabill — lawmakers discussed at length a new version of a plan to place so-called “per capita caps” on Medicaid funding to certain beneficiaries in states that have expanded the program under the Affordable Care Act.
    • The emerging plan would still risk Medicaid health care services for millions of low-income people by shifting the costs of any additional coverage beyond the federal allotment to states as Republicans hunt for savings to pay for the party-line package to enact President Donald Trump’s agenda.

Politico: E&C Chair Guthrie to huddle with Republicans on Medicaid 

  • The meeting [with key House Republicans wary of major cuts] is being scheduled amid growing skepticism about how the committee plans to hit its savings target of $880 billion to help finance the megabill central to President Donald Trump’s agenda without catastrophic cuts to Medicaid. 
  • “My sense is that would be a cut, and I’m not in favor of that,” Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) told reporters Tuesday. “But I do want to hear more from the Guthries of the world who have studied this issue for years.”

The Hill: GOP wrestles with disagreements over Medicaid cuts 

  • “We’re still having discussions on FMAP and per-capita allotments. Those are the biggest discussions we have to have,” Guthrie told reporters Tuesday. “If we can get there, that’s what we’re looking at.” Guthrie was referring to proposals to either lower the federal government’s 90 percent matching reimbursement rate for expansion states — known as FMAP — or to cap federal spending on a per beneficiary basis. 

Axios Pro: Health Care: Moderates’ Medicaid pushback

  • Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) said he would also look at any cap proposal but wants details such as how federal payments would increase over time to account for the cost of care. “You really have to know the rate that they are going to use, what kind of growth are they going to allow,” he said.

Semafor: Republican senators pan proposed House changes to Medicaid as ‘cutting benefits’

  • Sens. Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Josh Hawley of Missouri both warned in interviews that proposals to cut the federal government’s share of the costs in states that have expanded Medicaid, and to otherwise cap Medicaid expansion spending, could lead to coverage losses. Moreno bluntly told Semafor that both ideas amount to “cutting benefits.” “We don’t need to cut benefits. And it actually really infuriates me to hear people here talking about that, because it stresses people out. This is life and death for them,” Moreno said.
ashoup
In News, Roundup

Medicaid Awareness Month: Protect Our Care, Americans From All Walks of Life Urge Republicans to Abandon Cuts to Medicaid At Events Across the Country

Thursday, April 24 – SEIU Disability Week of Action Medicaid Rally in David Valadao’s District

Thursday, April 24 – SEIU Disability Week of Action Medicaid Rally in David Valadao’s District

Senators Tammy Baldwin, Ruben Gallego, and Peter Welch; Representatives Gwen Moore, Mark Pocan, Bobby Scott, George Latimer, Robert Garcia, Lateefah Simon, Paul Tonko, and Betty McCollum; Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords Headlined Events Across the Nation

As the eighth annual Medicaid Awareness Month comes to a close, Medicaid is under fire like never before as Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress pursue the largest cuts in history to fund tax cuts for the rich. Throughout the month, Protect Our Care released fact sheets, placed op-eds, launched new ads, and hosted more than 30 nationwide events with 14 members of Congress alongside state and local elected officials and Medicaid providers and patients. Medicaid is the largest health insurance program in the country, providing coverage and affordable health care for over 70 million Americans, including people from all backgrounds. Despite providing critical services for millions of Americans, these MAGA efforts jeopardize health care just to fund massive tax breaks for the wealthy and large corporations. Research shows that, if Trump and Republicans get their way, millions will lose their health care, costs will go up, and people will die. 

Alongside partners, lawmakers, and other advocates, Protect Our Care is continuing to work to defend Medicaid from these ruthless Republican-led attacks. Read more about Protect Our Care’s “Hands Off Medicaid” campaign here. 

Medicaid Awareness Month Fact Sheets

New Ads

ALASKA

Frontiersman: Opinion: Medicaid Saved My Son’s Life: Cutting It Would Destroy Ours. 

  • “And yet, even with Medicaid, we are constantly on the edge. Zak qualifies for 20 hours of in-home support, 12 hours of community day programs, 10 hours of personal care assistant support, and 10 hours of respite per week—but due to staffing shortages and Medicaid billing restrictions, we haven’t had more than 30–40 of those hours billed in total since 2020. The rest? That’s me—unpaid labor from a mother who also provides his private insurance coverage.”

Anchorage Daily News: Opinion: Trump’s Threat to the Alaska Economy. 

  • “Along with Essential Air Service and Bypass Mail, Medicaid-funded travel is part of what allows rural air carriers to stay open and serve rural communities,” Fields writes. “With Elon Musk and his supporters targeting Essential Air Service and Bypass Mail, many of our rural communities face the real risk of losing most, if not all, air service.” 

Friday, April 11 – Medicaid Awareness Month/SEIU Caregiver Event with SEIU 775 Members Shirley Johnson and Shanah Kinison: Caregivers and SEIU 775 members Shirley Johnson and Shanah Kinison joined Protect Our Care Alaska to discuss their recent trip to DC to speak with Senator Dan Sullivan about the importance of Medicaid to Alaska seniors and people with disabilities, and to deliver the clear message: “don’t cut Medicaid.” Both Johnson and Kinison pushed back on the senator’s repeated references to “fraud, waste, and abuse” in Medicaid, urging him to focus instead on the lives that would be upended by cuts to care. “I asked him directly, ‘Am I fraud? Am I waste?’” said Shanah Kinison, a Haines Caregiver, who cares for a medically fragile teen living in the Tlingit village of Klukwan. “Medicaid pays for my job. Medicaid pays for my health care. I don’t feel like a waste.” You can watch the full event here, and read the post-event release here. 

Anchorage Daily News: Opinion: Thanks to Sen. Murkowski for Supporting Medicaid. 

  • “As a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations and Health committees, you know that Medicaid is critical for treating opioid addiction, and that Medicaid cuts would also disproportionately affect communities of color, which are more likely to rely on Medicaid for health access due to historic inequities and current economic realities” McGee writes. “I’m grateful to have a leader who understands the importance of this critical program and who has pledged to protect the program going forward. So-called “block grant” proposals and other cuts would have long-lasting negative effects here in Alaska and elsewhere.”

Monday, April 21 – SEIU “Medicaid Monday” Event with SEIU Caregivers, Clients and Community Members outside Nick Begich’s Anchorage Office: SEIU Caregivers, clients, and community members allied outside Representative Nick Begich’s Anchorage office today to deliver a powerful message: their work is essential, and it’s time lawmakers treated it that way. The rally was organized in response to proposed Medicaid cuts that would harm Alaskans who rely on home- and community-based care. Participants shared their stories and called on lawmakers to protect the services that allow seniors and people with disabilities to live with dignity and independence.  “We’re here to fight for our families, our jobs, and our clients,” said Sasha Johnson, a caregiver and frontline advocate. “We are NOT waste—our work isn’t wasteful, our clients aren’t waste, and our experience isn’t a waste. Matter of fact, we SAVE the government so much money, and that’s what we came to say.” You can read the post-event release here. 

Thursday, April 24 – Medicaid Day of Action Community Conversation with Alaska Advocates in Anchorage: Stand UP Alaska, Alaska March On, Protect Our Care Alaska, Action Alaska, and various partner organizations hosted a community conversation to highlight how Medicaid is under threat for Alaskans and urged Representative Nick Begich and Senators Sullivan and Murkowski to take action and protect the program.  Community members discussed what cuts to Medicaid would mean for them and their community, and the event brought together labor leaders, small business owners, organizers, and artists. 

Anchorage Daily News: Opinion: Health Care Is Sacred. As Christian, Jewish and Muslim Leaders in Alaska, We Urge That Medicaid Be Protected. 

  • “We must all raise our voices to ensure Medicaid remains strong and intact. Elected officials need to hear from the people whose lives depend on it. And they need to understand: health care is not a luxury. It is a right. In one of the richest states in one of the wealthiest nations on Earth, no one should die from something that costs $30 to treat. Medicaid saves lives. And as people of faith, as Alaskans, and as human beings — we must protect it.” 

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: Opinion: Alaskans Rally Behind Support of Title X and Medicaid. 

  • “Access to abortion is already increasingly challenging across the country, and Alaska only has two public providers of abortion left — the Planned Parenthood health centers in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Alaskans deserve access to lifesaving abortion care without any further barriers, and we hope the Alaska delegation will stand with the overwhelming majority of Alaskans who support access to this critical health care.” 

ARIZONA

Monday, April 21 – Medicaid Panel Event in Tucson with Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, State Senator Priya Sundareshan, Reproductive Freedom for All and Advocates: Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, State Senator Priya Sundareshan, Reproductive Freedom for All, and emergency physician Dr. Larry DeLuca gathered for a panel highlighting Medicaid’s crucial role in Arizona’s health care system and what’s at stake for Arizonans if funds are cut. “When we talk about Medicaid, we need to stop saying they, and we need to start saying we,” said Dr. Larry DeLuca. “You don’t plan to be in a car accident. No one puts themselves in front of a loaded gun. People can unexpectedly have their lives radically changed, and not just in the short term […] People are not going to get less sick because we took away their healthcare; just the opposite.” You can read the post-event release here. 

  • KGUN 9: Giffords joins reproductive health group in Tucson forum opposing Medicaid cuts 

Tuesday, April 22 – Medicaid Town Hall with Senator Ruben Gallego and Reproductive Freedom for All:  US Senator Ruben Gallego and Reproductive Freedom for All hosted a town hall in Phoenix alongside Protect Our Care Arizona in Phoenix to highlight the devastating consequences of Republican-led efforts to cut Medicaid, known as AHCCCS in Arizona, and the impacts it will have on essential reproductive healthcare for millions of Arizonans. “Women in Arizona deserve to have control over their own bodies,” said Senator Gallego. “But Republicans in Congress want to strip access to reproductive care from poor women in order to give tax cuts to the rich. I’m doing these town halls across the state to hear from people who will be impacted from these cuts and to make clear that Arizonans won’t stand for it.” You can read the post-event release here. 

  • KJZZ:  Sen. Ruben Gallego says proposed Medicaid cuts will leave families uninsured
  • Cronkite News (AZ PBS): Medicaid Cuts- Medicaid Awareness Month (segment begins at 18:40)

CALIFORNIA

Friday, April 11 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Congressman Robert Garcia and California Medicaid Advocates: US Rep. Robert Garcia, family physician Dr. Ian Kim, and health care advocates Karen Reside and Josephine Rios joined Protect Our Care CA to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress like David Valadao, Young Kim, and Ken Calvert are working to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax-breaks to the ultra-wealthy. “House Republicans, including some here in California, are directly lying to the American public about this budget proposal. There’s no question: there are Medicaid cuts in this budget framework.” said Congressman Robert Garcia. “For us in California, the millions and millions of people who rely on Medi-Cal, they are going to either lose coverage, have reduced coverage, or be forced to leave coverage.” You can watch the event here.

  • KPFA: Healthcare advocates and CA congressmember Robert Garcia blast republican move to slash Medicaid by $880 billion

Wednesday, April 16—Children’s Health Care Rally at Rep. David Valadao’s Office: Kids, parents, advocates, and the broader community rallied in support of Medicaid in front of Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) in Bakersfield to call on the congressman to protect Medi-Cal for children who rely on the program for health care.

  • CBS: Hands Off Medicaid Rally in Bakersfield
  • Fox: Hands Off Medicaid Rally in Bakersfield

Thursday, April 17 – Children’s Health Care Rally at Rep. Young Kim’s Office: Kids, parents, advocates, and the broader community rallied in support of Medicaid in front of Rep. Young Kim’s office (CA-40) in Anaheim to call on the congresswoman to protect Medi-Cal for children who rely on the program for health care.

Monday, April 21 – SEIU Disability Week of Action Medicaid Rally in Ken Calvert’s District: California health care advocates came together in Palm Desert to call on Rep. Ken Calvert (CA-41) to protect Medicaid for Californians with disabilities. Advocates discussed the need to protect Medicaid funding and called on the congressman to reject cuts to the program’s budget that could rip care away from disabled Californians. You can watch an Instagram reel of the rally here.

  • KESQ: Rally outside Calvert’s office urging he block potential Medicaid cuts
  • Roll Call: The Bernie Sanders tour puts California GOP on notice
  • NBC Palm Springs: Advocates Rally in Palm Desert Urging Rep. Ken Calvert to Reverse Vote on Medicaid Cuts

Tuesday, April 22 – SEIU Disability Week of Action Medicaid Rally in Young Kim’s District: California health care advocates came together in Anaheim to call on Rep. Young Kim (CA-40) to protect Medicaid for Californians with disabilities. Advocates discussed the need to protect Medicaid funding and called on the congresswoman to reject cuts to the program’s budget that could rip care away from disabled Californians. You can watch footage from the event here.

  • ABC 7: Protesters rally outside SoCal congresswoman’s office over potential Medicaid cuts
  • NBC Los Angeles: Rally against proposed cuts to Medicaid
  • Fox 11: Rally to protect Medicaid in Anaheim
  • KTLA 5: Rally to protect Medicaid in Anaheim
  • Telemundo 52: Rally to protect Medicaid in Anaheim
  • LA Live: Rally to protect Medicaid in Anaheim
  • Fullerton Observer: Protest Rally at Congressmember Young Kim’s Office to Oppose Medicaid Cuts
  • KABC-LA

Thursday, April 24 – SEIU Disability Week of Action Medicaid Rally in David Valadao’s District: California health care advocates came together in Bakersfield to call on Rep. Young Kim (CA-22) to protect Medicaid for Californians with disabilities. Advocates discussed the need to protect Medicaid funding and called on the congressman to reject cuts to the program’s budget that could rip care away from disabled Californians. You can watch footage from the rally here.

  • ABC23: Rally against potential cuts to Medicaid draws community support in Bakersfield
  • ABC23: Community rallies in Bakersfield to oppose Medicaid cuts
  • KBAK: Dolores Huerta, protesters from around California rally against potential healthcare cuts

Friday, April 25 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Congresswoman Lateefah Simon and Health Care Advocates: Lateefah Simon and Medi-Cal advocates joined Protect Our Care CA to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. During the event, speakers discussed what’s at stake for this vital program and for the 15 million Californians who rely on Medicaid for health care, including millions of Californians with disabilities. “This isn’t just a war on poor people. It’s a war on children. It’s a war on the disabled. It’s a war on the elderly. It’s a war we have to win. There’s no other choice.” said Rep. Lateefah Simon. “The Trump administration has made it blatantly clear that they don’t care about us. But what they don’t understand is that if you rip Medicaid and Medicare from any state, it dilapidates the entire health care infrastructure. Middle class folks and poor people alike will suffer.” You can watch the event here.

IOWA

Tuesday, April 22 – Office Visit, Petition Delivery, and Storyteller Sharing at Representative Marianette Miller-Meeks’ Indianola District Office: Storytellers and advocates visited Representative Miller-Meeks’ office to discuss the importance of Medicaid and what’s at risk for vulnerable Iowans. Eleven storytellers and three staff members listed above met at Rep. Miller-Meeks’ Indianola office to speak with office staff about the proposed cuts to Medicaid and the impacts it would have on Iowans. “Any vote Congresswoman Miller-Meeks makes to gut Medicaid funding is a direct hit to the health and well-being of thousands of Iowans in her district,” said Jill Kordick of Norwalk. “Medicaid is a vital lifeline for children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. These cuts would jeopardize access to care, force impossible choices for families, and deliver a fiscal sucker punch to rural health systems. You can view the post-event release here.

Thursday, April 24 – Medicaid Community Forum with Health Care Advocates: Protect Our Care Iowa co-hosted a community forum with SEIU, AFGE, Planned Parenthood, and ICAN to highlight what’s at risk for Iowans if the proposed Medicaid cuts in the federal budget become a reality. Doctors, health care workers, and Iowa residents with lived experience shared stories and insight into how these cuts would affect access to care, local hospitals, and families across our state. “We are here today to let Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks know that we want answers and we don’t want Medicaid to get cut,” said Gabriela Fuentes of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa. “As you can see, people are really looking for answers. What is going to happen with Medicaid? There are so many people that are going to be affected if Medicaid is cut.” 

  • KGAN: Iowans voice concerns over Medicaid cuts at North Liberty forum, urge action from lawmaker
  • KCRG: Putting a Balanced Budget to the Test

MAINE

Portland Press Herald: Opinion: Mainecare Saved My Life. We Can’t Let It Be Cut Back.

  • “Earlier this month, Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services announced that it was pausing MaineCare reimbursements for some providers and health care facilities because of the $118 million budget shortfall,” Ortloff writes. “GOP state legislators blocked a budget bill that would have shorn up funding for MaineCare. Their callous move comes on the heels of the GOP-controlled House passing a federal budget framework that includes a shocking $880 billion in Medicaid cuts.” 

Thursday, April 24 – Medicaid Day of Action Event with Maine House Chair of Appropriations Drew Gattine and Dr. Jessica Faraci: Maine House Chair of Appropriations Drew Gattine and Dr. Jessica Faraci of Maine Medical Association joined Protect Our Care Maine to highlight how Medicaid, referred to as MaineCare in Maine, is under attack like never before. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are working to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. Medicaid plays a vital role in providing affordable health care coverage for 400,000 Mainers, including seniors, people with disabilities, with nearly half being Maine children and people suffering from opioid addiction and mental health disorders. Gattine and Faraci discussed how the most vulnerable Mainers, particularly in rural counties, rely on MaineCare as a social safety net. “Medicaid is a vital necessity for Mainers,”  said State Rep. Drew Gattine. “In rural counties like Aroostook, Somerset, and Washington, 40% of the population benefits from MaineCare. Cutting Medicaid will also jeopardize an important element of Maine’s economy. Thousands upon thousands of Mainers’ jobs in the health care industry is at stake. Hospitals, mostly rural, will be jeopardized.” You can read the post-event release here. 

  • Spectrum News: Potential federal cuts could jeopardize MaineCare coverage, officials say
  • WABI Augusta: Protect Our Care Maine speak out against potential federal Medicaid cuts (also ran during 5pm, 7am broadcast)
  • WPFO Fox Portland: Protect Our Care Maine to Discuss What Potential Medicaid Cuts Would Mean for Mainers (also ran during 7am broadcast)
  • WGME: Protect Our Care Maine to Discuss What Potential Medicaid Cuts Would Mean for Mainers (also ran during 8am, 6am, 5am, and 4am broadcasts) 
  • WGME CBS Portland: Protect Our Care Maine, Democratic Lawmaker Discuss Threat of Medicaid Cuts
  • WPFO Fox Portland: Protect Our Care Maine, Democratic Lawmaker Discuss Threat of Medicaid Cuts
  • Maine Public: Washington Republicans propose billions of dollars in Medicaid cuts that would threaten MaineCare

MINNESOTA

Wednesday, April 16 – Medicaid Defense Event with Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Health Care Advocates: Congresswoman Betty McCollum and SEIU Advocates joined Protect Our Care Minnesota to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are working to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax-breaks to the ultra-wealthy. “One out of four Minnesotans rely on Medicaid for their health care. That includes 620,000 children and 90,000 seniors.  Working parents and children are 65% of enrollees,” said Congresswoman Betty McCollum. “We’re better than this. We need to budget. We need to plan with honesty and integrity, including families that are going to be directly impacted by these cuts. These are our brothers, our sisters, our cousins, our neighbors. They’re us.” You can watch the event here.

  • Red Lake Nation News: Congresswoman Betty McCollum and SEIU Advocates Join Protect Our Care Minnesota to Call Out GOP Plans to Cut Medicaid, Take Away Vital Health Care from Minnesotans
  • KSTP: McCollum Highlights Threats to Medicaid

Duluth News Tribune: Opinion: Medicaid on the Chopping Block for Northland Seniors. 

  • “Medicaid is a critical source of care for millions of seniors across the nation, providing essential care on which older Minnesotans rely. Medicaid helps cover high medical costs for those who have limited income and is the primary payer for long-term care across Minnesota. Medicaid also provides home- and community-based care essential to keep loved ones at home with their families and friends. Many seniors would not be able to afford these desperately needed services with Medicare alone. Cuts to Medicaid would not only jeopardize the vital care seniors depend on but also would threaten the very survival of rural health systems that provide it.”

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Monday, April 14 – Medicaid Awareness Month/Rural Health Discussion with New Hampshire Advocates: Health care advocates Tuess Kuenning of Bi-State Primary Care Association, Ed Shanshala of the Ammonoosuc Community Health Services and Samuel Burgess from New Futures joined Protect Our Care New Hampshire to discuss how cuts to Medicaid would cause rural communities to lose access to critical health services. The panel focused on the urgent need to preserve and strengthen Medicaid in the face of potential federal funding cuts and ongoing economic uncertainty. “Medicaid is an economic lifeline for rural communities…” said Ed Shanshala, CEO of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services. “These dollars move around within the local economy. People pay their mortgage. They buy groceries. They buy a car. Without that investment in the state loan repayment program, it’s difficult. They want to come back. They want to care for their friends, family, and neighbors who nurtured them.” You can watch the full event here. 

  • WMUR: New Hampshire Health Leaders Warn Federal Medicaid Cuts Will Hurt Rural Health Centers
  • Caledonian Record:  Proposed Medicaid Cuts Raise Alarms In North Country
  • NHPR: ‘Hit From All Sides Right Now’: Proposed Budget Cuts Could Strain Nh’s Safety Net Health System 

NEW YORK

LoHud: Opinion: Republicans in Congress — Like Ny’s Mike Lawler — Think Medicaid Doesn’t Matter. 

  • “No one went to the polls in November to cut health care for our nation’s most vulnerable, and if Republicans get their way, we will all pay the price. It has never been more critical to do everything we can to protect affordable health care access in America.”

Monday, April 21—Medicaid Defense Event with Senator Peter Welch and Congressman Paul Tonko: Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) and Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) hosted a rally in Plattsburgh to highlight the importance of protecting Medicaid coverage. Welch and Tonko discussed how Congressional Democrats are fighting to defend Americans’ access to health care and are working to push back against efforts to kick Vermonters and New Yorkers off Medicaid to pay for a tax cut for those who don’t pay their fair share. “This is about health care and the well-being of every American. President Trump and Republicans’ budget would cut care for those who need it most, all so they secure tax cuts for billionaires—that’s an acceptable deal to them. But as far as I’m concerned, there is no acceptable cut to health coverage,” said Senator Welch. “So while Republicans are attempting to finance a tax cut for the ultra-wealthy, Democrats will continue working to protect access to Medicaid for communities small and large and work to lower costs for hardworking families and seniors.”

  • NBC5 Plattsburgh: Sen. Peter Welch holds rally in Plattsburgh, sounds alarm over proposed federal cuts
  • NBC5 Plattsburgh: Vermont Sen. Peter Welch, NY Rep. Paul Tonko to hold joint rally in Plattsburgh
  • WCAX: Welch hosts North Country rally to protect Medicaid rights
  • WAMC: Vermont Senator Peter Welch and New York Congressman Paul Tonko hold rally to support Medicaid in Plattsburgh
  • VermontBiz: Welch, Tonko, community members rally in support of Medicaid
  • The Press-Republican: Welch, Tonko rally draws attention to possible Medicaid cuts

Tuesday, April 22—Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Congressman George Latimer and Health Care Advocates: Congressman and former Westchester County Executive George Latimer, White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach, White Plains Common Council President Victoria Presser and Westchester County Legislator Ben Boykin joined Protect Our Care New York to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are working to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax-breaks to the ultra-wealthy. “Medicaid isn’t just a budget line, it’s a lifeline for millions of New Yorkers,” said Congressman George Latimer. “In the 16th District alone, tens of thousands of seniors depend on Medicaid to stay healthy and secure. We cannot, and will not, allow Republicans to balance the budget on the backs of those who can least afford it.” You can watch the Congressman’s remarks here.

  • MidHudson News: Latimer rallies Westchester residents to oppose Medicaid cuts

NORTH CAROLINA

Saturday, April 19 – Poor Peoples’ Campaign Rally in Raleigh, North Carolina:

Protect Our Care North Carolina provided support for the Poor Peoples’ Campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina. During the rally, speakers outlined several demands of the Trump administration, including maintaining due process, protecting voting rights, and adherence to a “Moral Budget”.

  • WRAL: Raleigh, Durham join nationwide day of action to protest actions of Trump administration

Thursday, April 24 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with State Representative Sarah Crawford and Health Care Advocates: State Rep. Sarah Crawford; Shannon Dingle, Little Lobbyists; and Eric Schneidewind, former AARP National President joined Protect Our Care North Carolina to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. “I get to see first hand, every day, the power of Medicaid. It is not simply a safety net. It is the foundation that holds up lives, families, providers, and their entire community system of care,” said State Representative Sarah Crawford. “But that foundation is under attack by political games. National Republicans, especially Donald Trump, are actively pushing to gut this vital program. Why? To pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. “ You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

PENNSYLVANIA

Monday, April 14 – SEIU Medicaid Rally in Representative Ryan Mackenzie’s District: Protect Our Care Pennsylvania provided support for an SEIU rally to hold Representative Ryan Mackenzie accountable for Republican attacks on Medicaid. Local community groups and constituents across the district rallied at Rep. Mackenzie’s district office, demanding accountability for his support of devastating Medicaid cuts and corporate giveaways championed by President Trump and House Republicans.

Wednesday, April 16 – SEIU Medicaid Rally in Representative Lloyd Smucker’s District: Protect Our Care Pennsylvania provided support for an SEIU rally to hold Representative Lloyd Smucker accountable for Republican attacks on Medicaid. Local community groups and constituents rallied at Rep. Lloyd Smucker’s district office, demanding accountability for his support of devastating Medicaid cuts and corporate giveaways championed by President Trump and House Republicans.

Thursday, April 17 – SEIU Medicaid Rally in Representative Scott Perry’s District: Protect Our Care Pennsylvania provided support for an SEIU rally to hold Representative Scott Perry accountable for Republican attacks on Medicaid. Local community groups and constituents rallied at Rep. Scott Perry’s district office, demanding accountability for his support of devastating Medicaid cuts and corporate giveaways championed by President Trump and House Republicans.

Friday, April 25 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes and Health Care Advocates: Sen. Hughes, health care providers and advocates joined Protect Our Care Pennsylvania to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are working to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax-breaks to the ultra-wealthy. “First of all, let me say this, the state cannot absorb, no state in the country can absorb the cuts, the reductions that the federal government is talking about doing with respect to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, CHIP” said Senator Vincent Hughes “…In the end, what the federal government is doing, what the Musk/Trump/MAGA crew is doing is they’re creating a dynamic to make patients sicker and put workers in danger and likely to lose their jobs, okay? It really is that simple. It’s not complicated.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

VIRGINIA

Richmond Times Dispatch: Opinion: Slash Funding for Medicaid and Lose the Fight Against Addiction. 

  • “If President Donald Trump and Congress follow through on their plans to gut Medicaid to pay for tax giveaways for corporations and billionaires, Virginia will be forced to dramatically cut back on addiction treatment services. Without federal support for Medicaid, the state would likely cut back on peer recovery specialists, stop covering crucial medication, and decrease the number of treatment beds, increasing wait times for people to get the help they need. That will have real, devastating impacts on people’s lives.” The full text is viewable here.

Thursday, April 18 – Medicaid Roundtable with Congressman Bobby Scott and Health Care Advocates: Protect Our Care Virginia provided storyteller Tony Hedgepeth, a veteran and member of SEIU Virginia 512, for a roundtable hosted by Congressman Bobby Scott and The Commonwealth Institute. Congressman Scott and advocates highlighted Congressional Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid. Congressman Scott also unveiled a new report from The Commonwealth Institute on the impact of the proposed cuts to Medicaid on veterans and military families. “This letter on Medicaid suggests that they’re not going to vote for Medicaid cuts, but unfortunately that’s not the case,” said Congressman Scott. “If you read the letter they say they won’t cut Medicaid for vulnerable populations, this population, or that population, but it doesn’t rule out cuts in Medicaid … The fact of the matter is the budget cutting Medicaid is necessary to help fund tax cuts for billionaires.” You can watch the event here.

Wednesday, April 23 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with State Senator Ghazala Hashmi and Health Care Advocates: Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee Ghazala Hashmi joined SAARA of Virginia and Protect Our Care in discussing the impact that proposed cuts to Medicaid – including the potential automatic disenrollment of more than 629,000 Virginians in the expansion population – would have on behavioral health, including treatment for substance use disorders. “We are facing the biggest threat now to health care since the last Republican attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act,” said Senator Hashmi. “Congressional Republicans are now targeting $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid only for the purpose of funding irresponsible tax giveaways for corporations and for those who are already ultra-wealthy. Gutting Medicaid is going to be devastating to Virginians in every single zip code, and it will set us back in the fight to end the opioid epidemic.” You can watch the event here.

  • Courthouse News: Looming Medicaid Cuts Threaten Progress Made in Combating Opioid Crisis
  • Richmond Times-Dispatch: For Some Virginians, Talk of Cutting Medicaid Funds Hits Home (Full text is viewable here)
  • WRIC: Dems Warn That 630K Virginians Could Lose Health Insurance if Medicaid Is Cut

WEST VIRGINIA

Thursday, April 10 – Disability Advocacy Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Caregiver Mariah Plante and Advocates: Mariah Plante, who is the full-time caregiver of her brother with disabilities, and health care advocates Sherri McKinney from SEIU 1199 and Ellen Allen from West Virginians for Affordable Health Care joined Protect Our Care West Virginia to kick off Medicaid Awareness Month and discuss the GOP plan to cut Medicaid and risk health care for 500,000 West Virginians, including 86,000 people with disabilities. Plante shared her story of taking care of her brother and relying on the Medicaid IDD Waiver program: “Even though there are few resources available for families like ours in this part of the state, Medicaid is our lifeline,” Plante said. “It covers his Medical care, eyeglasses, and behavioral support, including specialists that would otherwise be totally inaccessible if we had to pay out of pocket for their services. Most importantly, Medicaid enables us to care for Matt at home and provide him with the daily support only a family member can give–instead of in a state-run facility. If Medicaid were to pull back on that support, a lot of people who can’t afford to take care of their loved ones will fall through the cracks.” You can watch the full event here. 

Charleston Gazette-Mail: Opinion: Medicaid Cuts Put Children’s Health at Risk. 

  • “Staffing shortages might lead to closures of facilities that West Virginians rely on for care,” Lefeber writes. “Perhaps the most drastic impact would be felt in rural parts of the state, which are home to the vast majority, or two-thirds, of our residents. Children in rural areas are more dependent on Medicaid coverage and 36% of hospitals are already at risk of closing.” You can read the full op-ed here. 

Charleston Gazette Mail: Opinion: Capito, Justice Must Hold Stance on Health Care. 

  • “A cut that huge would truly be, as Justice said, beyond catastrophic across the U.S. and especially in low-income states like West Virginia,” Wilson writes. “Our already dismal health statistics would get worse. Minor issues will turn major. Substance use disorder will go untreated. The cost of emergency room visits and uncompensated care will grow and be passed on to others. Rural hospitals will close. Jobs will be lost. And people will die. The margins in Congress are razor thin. Our senators’ votes could influence the final outcome, especially after the House voted to throw us under the bus. I hope Justice and Capito take their own advice and side with the people of West Virginia again.” You can read the full op-ed here. 

Thursday, April 24 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Delegate John Williams and Advocates in Morgantown, West Virginia: West Virginia delegate John Williams, West Virginians for Affordable Health Care executive director Ellen Allen, Milan Puskar Health Right executive director Laura Jones and Valley Community Services CEO G.N. James joined Protect Our Care West Virginia at Milan Puskar Health Right in Morgantown to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are working to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax-breaks to the ultra-wealthy. April marks the eighth annual Medicaid Awareness Month. During the event, speakers will discuss what’s at stake for this vital program and for the over 500,000 West Virginians who rely on Medicaid for health care. “I want my people to have health care,” said Delegate John Williams. “Medicaid has been a lifeline for them. It’s been something—with the expanded population—they’ve had access to for around 12 years now. To take this from them would literally be a death sentence for West Virginians. It would be an economic death sentence for our rural hospitals. This is an incredibly important issue, one of the most important issues that I’ve seen in my time in the legislature, and we need to be fighting it.” You can watch the full event here. 

  • WDTV: Del. Williams joins ‘Protect Our Care WV’ in effort to protect Medicaid

West Virginia Watch: Opinion: Is West Virginia — And the Rest of the Country — Prepared to Care for Our Seniors. 

  • “There is an unprecedented and unnecessary attack on one of the largest health insurance programs in the country. The GOP has plans to rip Medicaid from our seniors — and every other person assisted by Medicaid — in the current budget process,” Allen writes. “Under the current proposal, West Virginia stands to lose over a half a billion federal dollars. And we all saw a few weeks ago how eager West Virginia Republicans are to throw tens of thousands of their constituents under the bus if Congress cuts the program. They didn’t even wait for their Congressional delegation. They preempted them by attempting to sneak in a Medicaid trigger bill signaling the message: Hey, it’s OK, we don’t care if you gut Medicaid. We are ready and willing.” 

Charleston Gazette-Mail: Opinion:Medicaid Is Vital to West Virginia’s Economic Health.

  • “Medicaid revenues affect the economic well-being of every community,” Wise writes. “Health care is one of the state’s largest employers; 49,000 work in 65 hospitals as well as thousands more in 100 nursing and assisted living facilities, rural health clinics and countless physician’s offices. Each one of these health care workers, usually supported in whole or in part by Medicaid, buys cars, homes, appliances, shops locally, contributes to church and community efforts and pays taxes.” You can read the full op-ed here. 

The Inter-Mountain: Opinion: Proposed Medicaid Cuts Could Hurt Many. 

  • “While politicians are playing checkers with numbers, the rest of us could face a compromised healthcare future, with no fallback plan,” Bruning writes. “A yes vote to cut Medicaid means that veterans, people with disabilities, low-income people, children are all expendable. Did you know that half the births in WV are covered by Medicaid? If our lawmakers vote yes to cut Medicaid, it means they are willing to risk the lives of women and babies.” 

WISCONSIN

Tuesday, April 15 – “Hands Off Medicaid” Roundtable with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Health Care Advocates: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin held a “Hands Off Medicaid” roundtable in Green Bay, Wisconsin in conjunction with Protect Our Care Wisconsin to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. “Threats to Medicaid are very serious right now,” said Senator Baldwin.  “…as the president and Republicans in Congress are proposing massive slashes to the Medicaid program,” You can view the post-event release here.

  • FOX11: Despite GOP Claims to Not Gut Medicaid, Democrats Continue Voicing Concerns Over Program
  • WeAreGreenBay: Baldwin Brings ‘Hands off Medicaid’ Tour to Green Bay as GOP Health Proposals Move Forward
  • State Affairs Pro: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin calls out GOP plans to cut Medicaid, take away vital health care from Wisconsinites
  • WBAY: Senator Baldwin Stops in Green Bay
  • WBAY: Baldwin Hands Off Medicaid Tour Comes to Green Bay
  • WBAY: Baldwin Visits Green Bay
  • WFRV: “Hands Off Medicaid” Tour Comes to Green Bay 
  • WFRV: Senator Baldwin Continues Medicaid Tour
  • WTAQ: Senator Baldwin Discusses the Republican Plan to Cut Medicaid 
  • WTAQ: Senator Baldwin Shares Her Story About Medicaid 
  • WMTV: Senator Baldwin Continues Her Hands Off Medicaid Tour in Green Bay
  • WLUK: Senator Baldwin Continues Her Push to Protect Medicaid 

Tuesday, April 22 – Medicaid Accountability Town Hall with Congressman Mark Pocan and Health Care Advocates in La Crosse, Wisconsin: Protect Our Care Wisconsin co-sponsored an accountability town hall with Congressman Pocan, several partner organizations from across Wisconsin, and a guest appearance from Senator Bernie Sanders. During the town hall, Congressman Pocan answered questions from constituents of Representative Derrick Van Orden who shared their concerns about a variety of issues including health care, taxes, and government programs. “Someone’s got to fight for them,” said Congressman Pocan. “And if these certain members are unwilling to listen to constituents, I’m going to make them uncomfortable until they do.”

  • WIZM: Around 300 at La Crosse Town Hall With US House Rep. Mark Pocan and Surprise Visit From Sen. Bernie Sanders
  • News8000: Pocan on Third District Town Hall: ‘Someone’s Got to Fight for Them’
  • WXOX: Opportunity Wisconsin Hosts Rep. Pocan in Town Hall, Rep. Van Orden a No Show
  • WisPolitics: Opportunity Wisconsin: Congressman Pocan joins La Crosse town hall meeting as Congressman Van Orden continues to dodge in-person town halls 
  • WIZM: Rep. Pocan, and Bernie Sanders, Highlight a Town Hall Discussion in La Crosse
  • WKBT: Representative Mark Pocan Will Host a Town Hall in La Crosse
  • WAOW: Representative Pocan Holds Town Hall Outside of His District
  • WMSN: La Crosse Voters Get the Chance to Directly Question a Member of Congress
  • WKBT: Accountability Town Hall in La Crosse
  • WISC: La Crosse Voters Question One of Their Representatives
  • WKBT: Rep. Pocan Faces Third District Voters in La Crosse

Wednesday, April 23 – Medicaid Awareness Month Roundtable with Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Health Care Advocates: U.S. Representative Gwen Moore held a roundtable discussion in conjunction with Protect Our Care Wisconsin to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are working to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax-breaks to the ultra-wealthy. “Medicaid work requirements are functionally medicaid cuts – Mom and I are drowning in paperwork already as it is,” said Erin Miller, a young adult on Badgercare. “Please, no more paperwork. More requirements for people who are already working, like me, are just more work.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

ashoup
In News

STATEMENT: Medicaid Is Not A Piggy Bank For Republicans to Use for Billionaire Tax Breaks

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Don Bacon (R-NE-02) suggested cutting an eye-popping $500 billion from Medicaid in the upcoming budget. House Republicans have already voted twice to cut Medicaid to fund tax breaks for the wealthy and large corporations, and continue to push ahead with these devastating cuts. This would be the largest cut to Medicaid in American history and put millions of Americans at risk of losing their health care.

Medicaid is an indispensable pillar of our economy and health care system. It provides health care to more than 70 million Americans with Medicaid, including low-income seniors, children, veterans, people with serious disabilities, workers who don’t get coverage through their jobs, and people who take care of their children or elderly parents. 

“As the GOP drafts their devastating budget, one thing remains true: Republicans in Congress want to make the largest Medicaid cuts in history to fund tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans,” said Protect Our Care President Brad Woodhouse. “Now that Congress is back in session, Republicans are continuing their effort to dismantle the health care that is woven deeply into the threads of our health care system. Whether it’s a trillion dollars, half a trillion, or hundreds of billions in Medicaid cuts, no member of Congress can justify ripping health care away from some of the most vulnerable Americans to give tax breaks to the wealthy. Not one dollar should be cut from Medicaid to pay for one dollar of tax breaks for the rich.”

BACKGROUND

  • Republicans are turning their backs on their own voters. In 2024, Donald Trump won 49 percent of voters who rely on Medicaid.
ashoup
In News

100 Days In: Trump Is Endangering Lives With His Chaos, Cuts, and Cruelty

In his first 100 days in office, Donald Trump has been on a rampage against our nation’s health care system. From terminating vital health and science agencies and firing tens of thousands of workers, moving to cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, and installing anti-vaccine zealot RFK Jr. as Secretary of HHS, Trump and Republicans have already done irreparable damage to the American health care system. Republicans are endangering the lives of millions of Americans by eroding our nation’s health care, and they have no plans on stopping.

“Trump and his allies in Congress are playing political games with people’s lives,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Trump’s schemes threaten the health and well-being of every single person in this country.  He has ripped away Americans’ access to lifesaving health care, compromised the safety of our food and water, and made it more dangerous to have a child and start a family. And it’s only getting worse as Republicans seek to decimate Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for wealthy people and big corporations. If Trump continues down this road, there won’t be a community in this nation that isn’t impacted.” 

Right now, Republicans’ top priority is making the largest Medicaid cuts in history to pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest people and big corporations. Gutting Medicaid threatens to rip health care away from more than 70 million Americans, including children, seniors in nursing homes, veterans, people fighting cancer, and working families. Read more about Trump’s health care sabotage here. 

Increasing Costs for Working Americans

  • Proposed hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, which could leave millions of Americans without coverage, kill over 30,000 people annually, and raise health care costs across the board.
  • Cut nearly 90 percent of ACA Navigator funding that currently helps people enroll in affordable health coverage.
  • Announced a rule that shortens the Affordable Care Act open enrollment period by one month and ends the ability for low-income families to sign up monthly instead of waiting for the enrollment period in the fall; this will lead to 2 million Americans losing coverage.
  • Released an executive order aimed to boost drug company profits, weaken Medicare price negotiation, and raise prescription drug costs for Americans.
  • Passed a continuing resolution that paves the way for Republicans to rip away cost-saving tax credits for middle-class families, jeopardizing the health and financial stability of millions of people.
  • Delayed implementation of a Biden administration rule that barred medical debt from showing on credit reports. 
  • Dropped the Biden-era proposal for drugs used to assist in weight-loss to be covered by health insurance.
  • Announced a significant increase in payments for Medicare Advantage plans, raising costs for seniors and nearly doubling the projected costs that the Biden administration had previously released.
  • Proposed a new rule which would prevent gender-affirming care from being covered under ACA marketplace plans.
  • Proposed stripping DACA recipients of health care coverage guaranteed under the ACA.

Slashing Funding for Health Care

  • Cancelled over $12 billion in health care grants, putting into question states’ abilities to treat mental health disorders and infectious disease outbreaks.
  • Cut NIH grants, capping the payout rate at 15 percent. This will hinder life-saving research being done at universities across the country.
  • Defied court orders to stop freezing or terminating research grants.
  • Defunded studies that aimed to explain vaccine hesitancy and explore how to increase vaccination rates.
  • Terminated 145 grants totaling nearly half a billion dollars on the research of HIV prevention and care.
  • Froze over $27.5 million in funding for family planning grants across the country. Since 2023 in Tennessee alone where $8 million was frozen, those funds have been used to serve over 30,000 families.
  • Signed an executive order ending all funding for any kind of gender-affirming care for people 19 and under by threatening the revocation of all Medicaid and Medicare funding; as well the order further eroded patient privacy protections for all Americans.

Gutting Health Departments

  • Fired several thousand employees across HHS, including those who worked on infectious diseases, and pressured 80,000 HHS employees to leave the agency. 
  • Shut down two independent food safety committees that help keep Americans safe from outbreaks of bacteria, such as listeria. 
  • Closed vaccination sites across the country amidst the largest measles outbreak of this century.
  • Canceled the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee which was set to discuss the strains of influenza to include in the next flu shot.
  • Shut down 30 percent of all Indian Health Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs offices, ripping away health care access from people already systemically underserved when it comes to health care.
  • Indefinitely postponed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting. The ACIP “offers guidance on vaccine approvals and influences which shots insurers cover” and had been scheduled to discuss vaccines for COVID-19, meningococcal virus, influenza, RSV, HPV, and Mpox.
  • Released plans outlining proposals to fire 10,000 HHS employees who have been responding to infectious disease outbreaks, approving new life-saving drugs, administering critical programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and more
  • Ended the HHS Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID.
  • Fired around 1,900 probationary workers from the Department of Health and Human Services, with the administration hinting they could fire as many as 5,200.
  • Fired the FDA’s head of medical device safety, Ross Segan, along with other employees.
  • Shut down CMS and HHS’s Minority Health Offices; going forward this means little to no research will be done on increasing access and affordability to marginalized populations such as racial and ethnic minorities and rural Americans.
  • Disbanded a panel researching ways to further health equity for those on Medicaid and Medicare.
  • Ordered HHS to remove the public comment portion of the rule-making process, ending transparency and removing feedback from the people who the policies would affect.

Putting Conspiracy Theorists and Grifters in Charge of Your Health Care

  • Confirmed vaccine skeptic and conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead HHS. 
  • Put David Geier, an anti-vax, quack scientist, and fake doctor, in charge of the “study” into connections between vaccinations and autism.
  • Selected the GOP’s general counsel, Thomas March Bell, as HHS Inspector General. Bell is best known for his radical anti-abortion views and his support for defunding family planning health agencies.
  • Confirmed Jay Bhattacharya, a COVID-19 skeptic who has called for dismantling the National Institute of Health, as National Institutes of Health Director, and Marty Makary, who supports RFK Jr.’s bogus science claims and has plans to overhaul the FDA, as Food and Drug Administration Commissioner.
  • Confirmed celebrity doctor and grifter Mehmet Oz to be the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

What They’re Planning Next

Republicans are continuing to build upon the momentum of Trump’s first 100 days in office, charging forward with their plan to slash $880 billion from Medicaid in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, such a drastic reduction in funding will lead to the largest cuts in Medicaid history and rip health care away from millions of seniors in nursing homes, children, veterans, working families, and more. 

While Republicans work to give more tax breaks to their billionaire donors, they are also working to hike health care premiums on middle-class families. The over 20 million Americans with marketplace coverage, currently saving an average of $800 per person per month on premiums, cannot afford to have Republicans succeed in their plans to hike premiums. Premiums will nearly double for the average family, and 5 million people will lose their health care altogether. Every single community across the country will feel the effects of these cuts. Nevertheless, the Republican plan is clear: slash Medicaid and raise premium costs for working Americans.

ashoup
In News

Trump’s War on Health Care: Public Health Watch

April 28, 2025

100 Days Of Trump, 100 Days of Public Health Catastrophe

Welcome to Public Health Watch, a weekly roundup from Protect Our Care tracking catastrophic activity as part of Donald Trump’s sweeping war on health care. From installing anti-vaccine zealot RFK Jr. as Secretary of HHS to empowering Elon Musk to make indiscriminate cuts to our public health infrastructure, including the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, Donald Trump is endangering the lives of millions of Americans. Protect Our Care’s Public Health Watch will shine a spotlight on the worst of the Trump/RFK/Musk war on vaccines, science and public health and serve as a resource for the press, public and advocacy groups to hold them accountable. 

What’s Happening In Public Health?

The First 100 Days: Catastrophic Cuts Are Creating Chaos And Endangering Americans’ Health And Scientific Innovation

Stat: NIH grants plummeted $2.3 billion in Trump’s first months, as federal-academia partnership crumbles The National Institutes of Health has scaled back its awards of new grants by at least $2.3 billion since the beginning of the year, with the biggest shortfalls hitting the study of infectious diseases, heart and lung ailments, and basic research into fundamental biological systems, a new STAT analysis has found. This roughly 28% contraction in funding comes on top of threats to freeze billions of dollars of NIH funding to specific universities as well as abrupt terminations to hundreds of research projects on Covid-19, HIV/AIDS, health disparities, vaccine hesitancy, and other areas targeted by President Trump’s political agenda.

  • Stat: Trump’s first 100 days, seen through 5 lives: Grants terminated. Dreams crushed. Futures in the balance At the National Institutes of Health, that pain has arrived sharply and swiftly. Not even 100 days into Trump’s second term, his administration’s onslaught of actions has slashed the agency’s workforce and choked off funding for biomedical research. By STAT’s own analysis, billions of dollars that would normally be flowing out to universities, academic medical centers, and nonprofit research organizations have either been staunched or clawed back. Harder to wrap one’s mind around is the human toll of all these cuts — the thousands of personal tragedies playing out across the country, far beyond the NIH’s Maryland campus — as labs go dark and careers evaporate and clinical trials for new medicines lag. That trauma looks like a young scientist suddenly worried about paying rent, a researcher halting her study of maternal mortality, a lung disease specialist forced out of his dream job by his own conscience, a cancer patient facing a treatment delay, a university administrator trying to hold it all together.

NOTUS: DOGE Is On a Tear at HHS. Even Insiders Are Struggling to Keep Up. DOGE has cut the Department of Health and Human Services so aggressively that even the department’s secretary has had trouble keeping up. “I’m not familiar with those cuts,” Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said last week in a CBS interview when pressed about the billions of dollars promised to state health agencies that were rescinded by his agency and touted by DOGE as “savings.” Kennedy also demurred on a question about how, exactly, DOGE decides which programs are worthy of being cut. “They have a very, very sophisticated group of people, and they have very sophisticated systems for detecting fraud, waste and abuse,” Kennedy said. DOGE’s sweeping actions and the health secretary’s professed lack of knowledge about cuts within his own agency showcase just how unilaterally the administration’s largely faceless cost-cutting initiative has been able to act — giving cover to leaders like Kennedy who are able to plead ignorance when pressed about specifics.

New York Times: Trump Budget to Take Ax to ‘Radical’ Safety Net Programs The Trump administration, which has made clear that it aims to slash government spending, is preparing to unveil a budget proposal as soon as next week that includes draconian cuts that would entirely eliminate some federal programs and fray the nation’s social safety net. The proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year would cut billions of dollars from programs that support child care, health research, education, housing assistance, community development and the elderly, according to preliminary documents reviewed by The New York Times. The proposal, which is being finalized by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, also targets longstanding initiatives that have been prized by Democrats and that Republicans view as “woke” or wasteful spending. The early blueprint reflects Mr. Trump’s long-held belief that some federal antipoverty programs are unnecessary or rife with waste, fraud and abuse. And it echoes many of the ideas espoused by his budget director, Russell T. Vought, a key architect of Project 2025 who subscribes to the view that the president has expansive powers to ignore Congress and cancel spending viewed as “woke and weaponized.” He previously endorsed some of the cuts to housing, education and other programs that Mr. Trump is expected to unveil in the coming days.

  • Politico: DOGE slashes disability and aging services The Trump administration has drawn a bright line around Medicare and Social Security, promising Americans that the two programs will remain untouched. But a budget proposal obtained by POLITICO shows a different kind of rollback underway — one that could impact the lives of millions of older Americans and people with disabilities. The Trump administration is poised to eliminate dozens of federal programs, including protective services for vulnerable seniors, chronic disease self-management education, resource centers for people who have been paralyzed or lost a limb and one that tries to help older people prevent falls. Even a more modest federal initiative aimed at making polling places more accessible would be eliminated under the proposal. All of these programs facing the knife fall under the Administration for Community Living, a component of the Department of Health and Human Services that aims to help older adults and people with disabilities remain in their homes and communities. The whole department is being zeroed out, according to the budget proposal.

NBC: Medical journals complain of ‘harassment’ from Justice Department At least three medical journals have received letters from the U.S. Department of Justice that questioned their editorial practices and standards, prompting several journals to push back and assert their independence.   British medical journal The Lancet, which did not receive one of the letters, published an editorial describing the inquiries as “harassment” and intimidation, adding that U.S. science was being “violently dismembered” by the Trump administration. Last week, the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Ed Martin, sent a letter to the CHEST Journal, a scientific journal for chest doctors, implying it was partisan and asking a series of questions about the steps it took to include competing viewpoints and protect the public from misinformation.  The letter drew ire from a First Amendment group and some scientists, who raised concerns that inquiries from law enforcement could chill academic freedom and speech. The letter prompted the journal to post a statement saying its publisher, the American College of Chest Physicians, “supports the journal’s editorial independence.”  This week, the New England Journal of Medicine told NBC News it had received a similar letter from the interim U.S. attorney.

Health Impacts:

Local Impacts: 

Chaotic Firings and Re-Hirings:

Cruel and Destructive Policy Changes:

The FDA Is Being Dismantled – Stalling Drug Development And Leaving Us Vulnerable To Food-Borne Illness

CBS: FDA head falsely claims no scientists laid off, as agency shutters food safety labs  The head of the Food and Drug Administration has repeatedly claimed in recent interviews that no scientists have been laid off at his agency, but one of the scientists in a food safety lab shuttered by the FDA’s cuts says he is either “blatantly lying” or “out of touch.” “There were no layoffs to scientists or food inspectors,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary told CNN on Wednesday. Makary previously said in an April 17 interview with Megyn Kelly that there “were not cuts to scientists, or reviewers, or inspectors. Absolutely none.” “That just made me so mad, that he said no scientists were cut,” said one laid-off FDA scientist, a chemist who had worked for the agency for years. Nearly all of the scientists at food safety laboratories run by the FDA in the San Francisco and Chicago areas received layoff notices this month, four laid-off chemists and microbiologists said. The scientists, who were not authorized to speak publicly, spoke on the condition of anonymity.  The San Francisco lab, opened during the first Trump administration, had been ramping up testing of infant formula. Its closure has now reduced the agency’s baby formula testing capacity by a quarter, at a time when Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called for stepped up testing, laid-off scientists said.

Reuters: US FDA suspends milk quality tests amid workforce cuts The Food and Drug Administration is suspending a quality control program for testing of fluid milk and other dairy products due to reduced capacity in its food safety and nutrition division, according to an internal email seen by Reuters. The suspension is another disruption to the nation’s food safety programs after the termination and departure of 20,000 employees of the Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the FDA, as part of President Donald Trump’s effort to shrink the federal workforce.

Axios: Key FDA drug data goes missing amid DOGE cuts Food and Drug Administration databases that physicians and public health experts rely on for key drug safety and manufacturing information have been neglected due to DOGE-directed layoffs, leaving health professionals flying blind on basic questions about certain drugs they’re prescribing, current and former FDA officials tell Axios. Why it matters: Information gaps that have become a hallmark of the workforce reductions and the sweeping reorganization of federal health agencies under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are putting patient safety at risk, according to agency employees. “It’s really a nightmare,” said a current FDA official who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press. “Things that used to function are no longer functioning.”

Stat: With the FDA in turmoil, the ‘revolving door’ with industry is spinning faster Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has railed against what he sees as a “revolving door” between workers at drug companies and the Food and Drug Administration. But his department’s actions now seem to be causing that door to spin ever faster.  Scores of FDA employees are searching for an exit from an agency in turmoil, particularly staff members tasked with reviewing drug applications, according to interviews with former employees and industry recruiters. Many of those joining the exodus were protected from the layoffs that hit the agency earlier this month, but their work environment has become morose, and cuts to other departments are making it more difficult to do their jobs. As many as 600 drug reviewers have recused themselves from approval processes because they’re interviewing with pharma companies, former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb estimated during an appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” earlier this week. These staff members oversee applications for new medicines and are partially funded through user fees that the FDA collects from drug companies.  “There’s an expectation that there’s going to be a lot of voluntary departures from the agency over the summer,” Gottlieb said.

Additional FDA News: 

RFK Jr. Is An Extreme MAGA Anti-Vaxxer Who’s Breaking His “Assurances” To Key Republicans To Get Confirmed And Mis-Managing HHS

Politico: RFK Jr. isn’t staying in his lane. Trump is thrilled. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is fast becoming the most prominent face of the Trump administration’s domestic agenda, taking on a portfolio well beyond the role of a traditional Health secretary. And the White House is thrilled. Senior aides believe Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” loyalists helped deliver the popular vote for President Donald Trump last November — and that keeping them in the GOP tent will be crucial to ensuring the party holds onto power come the midterms, according to four Trump aides and advisers granted anonymity to discuss internal thinking. That’s why they’re more than happy to let the presidential candidate-turned-top health official exert influence over an expanding array of key policy priorities across the government, even if it ruffles a few feathers among officials in other agencies who feel Kennedy is encroaching on their turf.

Washington Post: Americans unsure what to believe about the measles vaccine, poll shows Most Americans have encountered false claims about the measles vaccine, and many aren’t sure what the truth is, according to a KFF poll released Wednesday. Misconceptions about measles, a highly contagious virus, and its vaccine abound as cases continue rising across the United States, according to the poll. Prominent false claims suggest that there is a link between autism and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine; that the vaccine is more dangerous than measles itself; and that vitamin A can prevent measles infections. More than half of surveyed adults expressed uncertainty about whether to believe the false statements, which Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has amplified. The proliferation of measles misinformation may have far-reaching implications, said Liz Hamel, director of public opinion and survey research at KFF, a health policy research organization. “When we look at parents, those who believe or lean toward believing one of those false claims, they’re more likely to delay or skip vaccines for their children, compared to other parents,” she said. “There’s a relationship between belief or openness to believing misinformation about measles, and decisions to vaccinate your own children.”

New York Times: Kennedy Declares ‘Sugar Is Poison’ While Announcing Ban on Food Dyes Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. escalated his war against the food industry on Tuesday, declaring that “sugar is poison.” Mr. Kennedy’s comment came during a highly publicized news conference where he also asserted that he has “an understanding” with major food manufacturers to remove petroleum-based food colorings from their products by 2026. No one from the food industry attended the event, and none have publicly agreed to Mr. Kennedy’s demands, although the International Dairy Foods Association has pledged to eliminate artificial colors in milk, cheese and yogurt sold to schools as part of the federal lunch and breakfast programs by the start of the 2026 school year. However, Mr. Kennedy and his advisers said that every major food manufacturer and some fast-food companies have contacted the agency looking for guidance. “Four years from now, we are going to have most of these products off the market, or you will know about them when you go to the grocery store,” Mr. Kennedy said.

  • Bloomberg: Food Industry Says There’s No Agreement With US Health Agency to Cut Dyes The US Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday it plans to work with food companies to phase out use of many artificial food colorings by 2026, but industry lobbyists say there’s no agreement in place to remove the dyes, according to people familiar with the matter. In its announcement, HHS said it planned to eliminate artificial food dyes by working with companies that rely heavily on them. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said his agency and the Food and Drug Administration had an “understanding” with the industry about their removal on a voluntary basis. Yet multiple people familiar with the matter, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said there was no agreement.

Wall Street Journal: FDA Asks Vaccine Maker to Complete New Clinical Trial for Delayed Covid-19 Shot Federal regulators are asking Novavax NVAX 2.47%increase; green up pointing triangle to complete an additional randomized clinical trial on its Covid-19 vaccine after previously delaying approval, people familiar with the matter said, a request that could be so prohibitively expensive the company might not be able to fulfill it.  The Maryland-based company was asked by the Food and Drug Administration to show its vaccine is effective with another randomized study after appointees under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. intervened in the approval process, the people said. The additional step goes beyond what other Covid-19 vaccine makers had to do to win approval, and could be an early sign of new challenges for drugmakers hoping to get approvals. The company’s shot already showed 90% efficacy in a 30,000-person, placebo-controlled trial, and it is already available in the U.S. under an emergency use authorization and has won full approval in Australia, Europe and Japan. A new randomized trial with enough participants to judge the vaccine’s ability to prevent disease could cost tens of millions of dollars, vaccine experts said.

  • Stat: U.S. health officials inject new uncertainty into approval process for Covid boosters Confusion over the Food and Drug Administration’s delay in granting full approval to Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine deepened over the weekend when the agency’s commissioner, Marty Makary, took to social media to defend the FDA’s controversial handling of the company’s submission. In the process, Makary and a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services appeared to raise the specter that, going forward, manufacturers of Covid vaccines might have to generate new effectiveness data before the release of annual updates of their vaccines — a hurdle they would be unlikely to clear to vaccinate people in time to protect them when Covid transmission is occurring.

Other MAHA Activities:

RFK’s Autism Plans Draw Widespread Condemnation And Calls For His Resignation

CBS: RFK Jr.’s autism study to amass medical records of many Americans  The National Institutes of Health is amassing private medical records from a number of federal and commercial databases to give to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new effort to study autism, the NIH’s top official said Monday. The new data will allow external researchers picked for Kennedy’s autism studies to study “comprehensive” patient data with “broad coverage” of the U.S. population for the first time, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya said. “The idea of the platform is that the existing data resources are often fragmented and difficult to obtain. The NIH itself will often pay multiple times for the same data resource. Even data resources that are within the federal government are difficult to obtain,” he said in a presentation to the agency’s advisers.  Medication records from pharmacy chains, lab testing and genomics data from patients treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Indian Health Service, claims from private insurers and data from smartwatches and fitness trackers will all be linked together, he said.  The NIH is also now in talks with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to broaden agreements governing access to their data, Bhattacharya said.

  • Stat: No new autism registry, HHS says, walking back NIH director’s claim The federal health department is not creating a new registry of Americans with autism, a Department of Health and Human Services official said in a written statement Thursday. Instead, the official said, HHS will launch a $50 million research effort to understand the causes of autism spectrum disorder and improve treatments. The announcement arrives two days after National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya announced the intent to create such a registry at an all staff meeting, kicking off a firestorm of panic and confusion among autism self-advocates and the broader research community. Much of the fear centered around Bhattacharya’s remarks that the government would pull health data from private sources, such as electronic health records maintained by health care providers, pharmacy data, insurance claims and even wearables like smart watches and fitness trackers. While the NIH has dozens of existing registries for diseases and routinely awards grants to study conditions such as autism, the NIH director’s words chilled the community, leaving many people worried, including some who expressed their fears on social media.

NOTUS: Health Leaders Throw Cold Water on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Sweeping Goals and Fast Timelines The Trump administration’s health leaders came before reporters this week in an attempt to show how united they are in advancing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. Instead, they revealed divisions over whether or not that agenda is realistic. The most stark example came over an issue Kennedy has publicly prioritized: autism. National Institutes of Health director Jayanta Bhattacharya contradicted Kennedy’s timeline for determining the causes of autism when speaking to reporters after Tuesday’s event at HHS headquarters. Bhattacharya, who was previously a professor of medicine and health policy at Stanford, said that he would like researchers to “start to put out the preliminary results” within a year. He said such a timeline would constitute a “very rapid study by NIH normal standards.” Kennedy said at a cabinet meeting this month that HHS would uncover the cause of autism much earlier. “By September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic, and we’ll be able to eliminate those exposures,” he said during the televised meeting. But Bhattacharya said on Tuesday that “it’s hard to guarantee when science will make an advance.” “Nature has its say,” he added.

More fallout from RFK Jr.’s autism plans:

Disastrous, Dangerous Appointments

CBS: Trump’s surgeon general nominee, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, faces scrutiny over credentials President Trump’s nominee to be the U.S. surgeon general, the Fox News contributor and family medicine physician Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, has described herself as a double board-certified physician with a degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine — credentials the president touted in his announcement. But those claims about her certification and schooling appear to be misleading.  Nesheiwat actually earned her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine, located in St. Maarten, in the Caribbean, according to records reviewed by CBS News. A spokesperson for the University of Arkansas confirmed to CBS News she completed her residency through its family medicine program in Fayetteville, Arkansas, but did not obtain her medical degree there.  Nesheiwat has not yet come before the U.S. Senate’s health committee for a confirmation hearing, where she is expected to face questions about her credentials.

Public Health Threats

Washington Post: Millions of U.S. measles cases forecast over 25 years if shots decline The United States faces millions of measles cases over the next 25 years if vaccination rates for the disease drop 10 percent, according to new research published Thursday. No change in the current vaccination rate would result in hundreds of thousands of measles cases over the same period, according to a mathematical model produced by a team of Stanford University researchers. “Our country is on a tipping point for measles to once again become a common household disease,” said Nathan Lo, a Stanford physician and author of the study published in the medical journal JAMA.

New York Times: Measles Surge in Southwest Is Now the Largest Single Outbreak Since 2000 The spread of measles in the Southwest now constitutes the largest single outbreak since the United States declared the disease eliminated in 2000, federal scientists told state officials in a meeting on Monday. The New York Times obtained a recording of the meeting. Until now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had not publicly described the outbreak in such stark terms. More measles cases were reported mostly in Orthodox Jewish communities in New York City and New York State in 2019. But health officials regard those as separate outbreaks, because they were fueled by multiple introductions of the virus by international travelers. C.D.C. officials now view the spread of measles in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico as a single outbreak, Dr. Dan Filardo, who leads the agency’s task force for the measles response, told state health officials at the meeting. “This is the largest outbreak in the U.S. since measles elimination was declared in 2000,” he said. The agency was sending seven additional officials to Texas, epicenter of the escalating crisis, he added.

Bloomberg: Whooping Cough on Track for Worst US Outbreak in 70 Years Whooping cough cases have surged in the US since the beginning of the year, infecting Americans at a faster pace than any time since the mid-1950s as national vaccination rates decline and protection wanes. The bacterial infection also known as pertussis has sickened 8,077 people in the US through April 16, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s more than double the same period a year ago, when the agency confirmed 3,847 cases, and rivals the 2012 outbreak that was the biggest in half a century. At least four people have died from whooping cough this year, including two infants in Louisiana, an adult in Idaho and a child in South Dakota who was infected with both influenza and pertussis. The rise in cases comes as the US battles a measles outbreak, with 800 confirmed cases in 24 states as of April 18. Doctors point to a decline in vaccination rates nationally for the pickup in infections. Fewer than 93% of kindergartners received routine vaccinations for the 2023-2024 school year, including the diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis shot that protects against whooping cough.

New York Times: They Caught the Flu, and Never Came Home Lauren Caggiano had felt sick for days by the time she tested positive for the flu in an emergency room on a February afternoon. Hours later, she was in the intensive care unit. By 4 in the morning, she was on a ventilator. Ms. Caggiano, a paralegal who lived in Oceanside, Calif., doted on her two dogs and had recently become a grandmother, died two days later. She was 49. “You don’t really think, if you’re in decent health, that’s going to be what gets you,” her son, Brandon Salgado, said. Many people recover from a bout of flu within a few days or a week. But every year, the virus still kills more than 36,000 people across the United States and sends hundreds of thousands to the hospital. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that this flu season has been especially severe. Some of those who died were at greater risk for getting seriously ill because of underlying conditions or their age. Others, like Ms. Caggiano, were otherwise healthy before their infections. Some had not received the flu shot, which reduces but does not eliminate the risk of death. Some were hospitalized for weeks; others felt ill for only days before they died. All of their deaths came as a shock to the people who knew them.

Opinion and Commentary

ashoup
In News

FACT SHEET: Women and Children Depend On Medicaid, But Republicans Want to Rip It Away 

This April marks the eighth annual Medicaid Awareness Month. Medicaid is the largest health insurance program in the country, providing health care for over 70 million Americans. It is a crucial source of quality and affordable care for millions of mothers and children. Medicaid covers more than 40 percent of all births and provides lifesaving postpartum care. After infancy, nearly half of all American children rely on Medicaid for childhood health coverage. Thanks to Medicaid, moms and babies can get the care they need before, during, and after birth, preventing devastating outcomes and setting children up for success. Medicaid also assists women with reproductive care, such as family planning, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections or diseases (STIs/STDs). Since the ACA opened the door for states to expand Medicaid in 2010,  Medicaid coverage has saved lives and drastically reduced health disparities. Medicaid expansion increased enrollment by about 24 million people, resulting in healthier people, communities, and economies. Study after study shows that Medicaid expansion increases access to care, improves financial security, and leads to better health outcomes. 

Republicans are seeking broad and devastating cuts to Medicaid through their latest budget that would raise costs and rip away coverage from millions of Americans, just to give billionaires and big corporations another tax break. For pregnant and postpartum women, affordable health coverage is more essential than ever as the United States continues to experience the highest rates of maternal mortality and morbidity among wealthy nations. The consequences of severe cuts to Medicaid would be felt by every community in America. Families would be forced to choose between seeing a doctor, filling a prescription, and putting food on the table. Recent polling found there is broad opposition across party lines to any cuts to Medicaid, with 67 percent saying Congress should increase spending on Medicaid or keep it about the same.

During Medicaid Awareness Month, Protect Our Care is continuing its “Hands Off Medicaid” campaign with theme weeks to underscore the importance of Medicaid across the country. The final theme week of Medicaid Awareness Month highlights how Medicaid provides lifesaving health care to mothers, babies, and their families. Alongside partners, lawmakers, and other advocates, Protect Our Care is working to defend Medicaid from the Republican-led plan to slash funding to pay for another round of tax breaks for the wealthy and big corporations. 

GOP Cuts to Medicaid Will Take Health Care Away From Up to 31 Million Children, Nearly Half of America’s Kids. 

By The Numbers:

  • Children Have the Highest Poverty Rate of Any Age Group in America. Without Medicaid, millions of children will be more likely to suffer from bad health, get trapped in a cycle of poverty, and be denied long, healthy lives.
  • Nearly Half of American Children Are Enrolled In Medicaid. Approximately 31.5 million children in the United States are enrolled in Medicaid.
  • The Children’s Uninsured Rate In Medicaid Holdout States Is Double The Rate In Expansion States. In 2021, the child uninsured rate was 8.3 percent in holdout states, compared to 4.6 percent in states that adopted expansion. If holdout states expanded Medicaid, the number of uninsured children would drop by 7.3 percent. 

Medicaid Helps Children Stay Healthy, Leads To Long-Term Benefits When They Grow Up. Medicaid eligibility during childhood lowers the high school dropout rate, raises college enrollment, and increases four-year college attainment. Medicaid for children also has a positive impact on employment opportunities later in life. For each additional year of Medicaid eligibility as a child, adults by age 28 had higher earnings and made $533 additional cumulative tax payments due to their higher incomes. A 2020 study also found that children who received health insurance through Medicaid were less likely to die young, more likely to be employed in their adult life, and less likely to develop a disability as adults. 

Medicaid Helps Children With Disabilities Thrive. Families with children with disabilities are more likely to fall into financial hardship. Medicaid provides a safety net through its cost-sharing protections to help children with disabilities get the care they need without putting additional stress on their family to pay for their doctor visits, medication, or therapy. Children with disabilities’ needs are also more likely to be met when they are covered through Medicaid versus private insurance. This is likely due to Medicaid’s robust benefits package that includes long-term care services and support (LTSS), home and community-based services (HCBS), and Early Periodic Screening Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) that typically are not covered by private insurers. GOP cuts to Medicaid would jeopardize coverage for these children. They would gut children with disabilities’ access to essential services and stop them from achieving their full potential. 

Medicaid Provides Critical Funding For School Health To Help All Students Succeed. Medicaid provides critical funding for schools to get equipment, services, and personnel that students with Individualized Education Plans require to succeed. From speech therapy to personal aides to the technology that helps blind and deaf students communicate, Medicaid funding ensures schools can provide the wide range of services needed to educate students with disabilities and allows them to comply with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements despite their strained budgets.

Republicans Will Rip Away Care From Moms and Children and Exacerbate The Nation’s Maternal Health Crisis. 

By The Numbers:

  • Almost Half Of Births Are Covered By Medicaid. Medicaid covers 41 percent of births in the United States and the majority of births in several Republican-controlled states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Medicaid helped pay for 1.5 million births in 2023, but Republicans want to drastically reduce funding.
  • The United States Has the Highest Rate of Maternal Deaths of Any High-Income Country. In 2022, there were approximately 22 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in the United States. Maternal deaths are highest among Black mothers, even though over 80 percent of these deaths are considered preventable.

Medicaid Expansion Is Associated With Better Maternal Health Outcomes. Democrats in Congress passed legislation enabling states to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from six weeks to one year, giving comprehensive coverage in the critical year after birth to moms in 49 states. States that additionally expanded Medicaid under the ACA had an average of a 17 percent decrease in postpartum hospitalizations and experienced lower maternal mortality rates than states that did not expand Medicaid. Republicans are fighting to gut funding for Medicaid expansion, putting the lives of American moms at risk just so a few ultra-wealthy can get even more tax breaks.

Medicaid Is Critical For The Women Who Are Most At Risk For Complications. Medicaid provides screening for conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, and diseases that greatly increase the chance of severe complications during delivery. In 2021, 43,600 women with these conditions received the care they needed through Medicaid.

Medicaid Is A Lifeline For Moms In Black, Latina, and Rural Communities. In 2021, Medicaid provided maternity care to 64 percent of Black mothers and 58 percent of Latina mothers. Medicaid also pays for a greater share of births in rural areas than any other source of coverage.

Without Medicaid Funding, More Birthing Hospitals Will Be Forced To Close. Rural hospitals rely on Medicaid funding to keep their doors open. GOP-proposed per capita caps and block grants will greatly cut federal funding and force states to cut back on how much they pay hospitals, putting moms at risk of losing access to care.

Republicans’ Plan to Cut Medicaid Funding Will Put Essential Reproductive Health Care and Coverage in Jeopardy.

By The Numbers:

  • Medicaid is the Largest Provider of Sexual and Reproductive Health Coverage. 1 in 5 women of reproductive age use Medicaid for health care coverage, and two-thirds of women enrolled in Medicaid are of reproductive age. Medicaid also accounts for 75 percent of public funding for family planning services, such as birth control. Thirty states have also expanded family planning benefits to more people. 
  • Medicaid Provides Critical Sexual and Reproductive Care. Medicaid pays for a disproportionate share of STI care compared to other providers. People with Medicaid coverage are more likely to receive STI screening than people with private or no health insurance. If left untreated, STIs/STDs can lead to serious complications that leave patients drowning in medical debt or in worse scenarios, death.

Medicaid Provides Vital Reproductive Health Services. Medicaid provides vital services for women of reproductive age, such as covering family planning services, STI/STD tests and treatments, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and other preventive screenings and annual checkups. This coverage helps women of color in particular. Black women are 71 percent more likely to die from cervical cancer than their white counterparts and Black and Latina women make up 80 percent of women living with HIV or AIDS.

Medicaid Assists Women With Fertility Issues. 8 states require at least one Medicaid plan offered in the state to provide diagnostic services for infertility. While only New York requires their Medicaid state plans to cover fertility treatments, Medicaid covers treatments for other health conditions that can impact fertility, such as thyroid medications, fibroid surgery, and endometriosis or other gynecologic abnormalities that can cause pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding. Several states also cover fertility preservation for people whose medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, may cause infertility. Medicaid’s role is essential to ensure equitable access to these treatments, especially for families of color.

ashoup
In News

TODAY: Health Care Advocates Discuss the State of Health Care After 100 Days of President Trump

**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR APRIL 28, 2025**

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As we approach the 100th day of President Trump’s second term, health care advocates are breaking down what his administration has done for our nation’s health care system and what Americans can expect in the months ahead. After an election season filled with promises of lowering costs and making America healthier, the first 100 days have failed to deliver and have instead brought chaos and uncertainty to our health care system, making it more difficult and expensive for families and individuals to get the care they need.

On Monday, April 28 at 11:00 am EST, Families USA, Protect Our Care, Justice in Aging and the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative will be available for a virtual media availability to address the consequences of the President’s policies so far that will to restrict health care access and affordability, as well as the absence of a comprehensive plan to repair America’s broken health care system.

The organizations will discuss what these actions mean for consumers’ health and financial security, the future of critical programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, and their efforts to advocate for and protect access to affordable, high-quality care.

When:  Monday, April 28, 2025  at 11:00 am EST

Location:  Virtual

Zoom link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83723879536?pwd=Xr2EmZ7PLYHor66aXjDxuPch8fwNAU.1&from=addon

 Speakers:

  • Anthony Wright, Executive Director, Families USA
  • Anne Shoup, Protect Our Care
  • Amber Christ, Managing Director of Health Advocacy, Justice in Aging
  • Mannat Singh, Executive Director, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative

Registration:  To register for this event or if you have any questions, please respond to this email or contact Lisa Holland [email protected], 202-695-5160 (cell).

ashoup
In News

IN THE STATES: Over Recess, Democratic Lawmakers, Advocates Join Events Across the Nation to Tell Republicans “Hands Off Medicaid” 

The events were headlined by Senators Tammy Baldwin, Ruben Gallego, and Peter Welch; Representatives Gwen Moore, Mark Pocan, Bobby Scott, George Latimer, Robert Garcia, Lateefah Simon, Paul Tonko, and Betty McCollum; former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords; and more.

During the Congressional recess, members of Congress, local elected officials, and advocates joined Protect Our Care for 29 events in 13 states, calling on Republicans to reject any cuts to Medicaid in their upcoming budget. 

Right now, House Energy and Commerce Committee members are tasked with finding $880 billion in cuts, and according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, to achieve the GOP’s budget goals, they must cut billions from Medicaid, putting health care for more than 70 million Americans in jeopardy.

Protect Our Care is continuing its “Hands Off Medicaid” campaign to underscore the importance of Medicaid across the country. Alongside partners, lawmakers, and other advocates, Protect Our Care is working to defend Medicaid from the Republican-led plan to slash funding to pay for another round of tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations. Read more about our latest ad campaigns here. 

ALASKA

Monday, April 21 – SEIU “Medicaid Monday” Event with SEIU Caregivers, Clients and Community Members outside Nick Begich’s Anchorage Office: SEIU Caregivers, clients, and community members allied outside Representative Nick Begich’s Anchorage office today to deliver a powerful message: their work is essential, and it’s time lawmakers treated it that way. The rally was organized in response to proposed Medicaid cuts that would harm Alaskans who rely on home- and community-based care. Participants shared their stories and called on lawmakers to protect the services that allow seniors and people with disabilities to live with dignity and independence.  “We’re here to fight for our families, our jobs, and our clients,” said Sasha Johnson, a caregiver and frontline advocate. “We are NOT waste—our work isn’t wasteful, our clients aren’t waste, and our experience isn’t a waste. Matter of fact, we SAVE the government so much money, and that’s what we came to say.” You can read the post-event release here. 

  • Alaska Public Media: ‘We’re not waste,’ Medicaid-supported workers tell Alaska congressman
  • Your Alaska Link:  Anchorage rally urges lawmakers to protect Medicaid funding in Alaska

Friday, April 11 – Medicaid Awareness Month/SEIU Caregiver Event with SEIU 775 Members Shirley Johnson and Shanah Kinison: Caregivers and SEIU 775 members Shirley Johnson and Shanah Kinison joined Protect Our Care Alaska to discuss their recent trip to DC to speak with Senator Dan Sullivan about the importance of Medicaid to Alaska seniors and people with disabilities, and to deliver the clear message: “don’t cut Medicaid.” Both Johnson and Kinison pushed back on the senator’s repeated references to “fraud, waste, and abuse” in Medicaid, urging him to focus instead on the lives that would be upended by cuts to care. “I asked him directly, ‘Am I fraud? Am I waste?’” said Shanah Kinison, a Haines Caregiver, who cares for a medically fragile teen living in the Tlingit village of Klukwan. “Medicaid pays for my job. Medicaid pays for my health care. I don’t feel like a waste.” You can watch the full event here, and read the post-event release here. 

Anchorage Daily News: Opinion: Trump’s Threat to the Alaska Economy.

  • “Cuts of that magnitude would almost certainly shut down rural hospitals across Alaska, eliminate health coverage for tens of thousands of Alaskans, sharply increase maternal and infant mortality, and cut off funding for mental health and substance abuse treatment.”

ARIZONA

Monday, April 21 – Medicaid Panel Event in Tucson with Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, State Senator Priya Sundareshan, Reproductive Freedom for All and Advocates: Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, State Senator Priya Sundareshan, Reproductive Freedom for All, and emergency physician Dr. Larry DeLuca gathered for a panel highlighting Medicaid’s crucial role in Arizona’s health care system and what’s at stake for Arizonans if funds are cut. “When we talk about Medicaid, we need to stop saying they, and we need to start saying we,” said Dr. Larry DeLuca. “You don’t plan to be in a car accident. No one puts themselves in front of a loaded gun. People can unexpectedly have their lives radically changed, and not just in the short term […] People are not going to get less sick because we took away their healthcare; just the opposite.” You can read the post-event release here. 

  • KGUN 9: Giffords joins reproductive health group in Tucson forum opposing Medicaid cuts 

Tuesday, April 22 – Medicaid Town Hall with Senator Ruben Gallego and Reproductive Freedom for All:  US Senator Ruben Gallego and Reproductive Freedom for All hosted a town hall in Phoenix alongside Protect Our Care Arizona in Phoenix to highlight the devastating consequences of Republican-led efforts to cut Medicaid, known as AHCCCS in Arizona, and the impacts it will have on essential reproductive healthcare for millions of Arizonans. “Women in Arizona deserve to have control over their own bodies,” said Senator Gallego. “But Republicans in Congress want to strip access to reproductive care from poor women in order to give tax cuts to the rich. I’m doing these town halls across the state to hear from people who will be impacted from these cuts and to make clear that Arizonans won’t stand for it.” You can read the post-event release here. 

  • KJZZ:  Sen. Ruben Gallego says proposed Medicaid cuts will leave families uninsured
  • Cronkite News (AZ PBS): Medicaid Cuts- Medicaid Awareness Month (segment begins at 18:40)

CALIFORNIA

Friday, April 25 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Congresswoman Lateefah Simon and Health Care Advocates: Lateefah Simon and Medi-Cal advocates joined Protect Our Care CA to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. During the event, speakers discussed what’s at stake for this vital program and for the 15 million Californians who rely on Medicaid for health care, including millions of Californians with disabilities. View the pre-event advisory here.

Thursday, April 24– SEIU Disability Week of Action Medicaid Rally in David Valadao’s District: California health care advocates came together in Bakersfield to call on Rep. Young Kim (CA-22) to protect Medicaid for Californians with disabilities. Advocates discussed the need to protect Medicaid funding and called on the congressman to reject cuts to the program’s budget that could rip care away from disabled Californians. You can watch footage from the rally here.

  • ABC23: Rally against potential cuts to Medicaid draws community support in Bakersfield
  • ABC23: Community rallies in Bakersfield to oppose Medicaid cuts
  • KBAK: Dolores Huerta, protesters from around California rally against potential healthcare cuts

Tuesday, April 22– SEIU Disability Week of Action Medicaid Rally in Young Kim’s District: California health care advocates came together in Anaheim to call on Rep. Young Kim (CA-40) to protect Medicaid for Californians with disabilities. Advocates discussed the need to protect Medicaid funding and called on the congresswoman to reject cuts to the program’s budget that could rip care away from disabled Californians. You can watch footage from the event here.

  • ABC 7: Protesters rally outside SoCal congresswoman’s office over potential Medicaid cuts
  • NBC Los Angeles: Rally against proposed cuts to Medicaid
  • Fox 11: Rally to protect Medicaid in Anaheim
  • KTLA 5: Rally to protect Medicaid in Anaheim
  • Telemundo 52: Rally to protect Medicaid in Anaheim
  • LA Live: Rally to protect Medicaid in Anaheim
  • Fullerton Observer: Protest Rally at Congressmember Young Kim’s Office to Oppose Medicaid Cuts
  • KABC-LA

Monday, April 21 – SEIU Disability Week of Action Medicaid Rally in Ken Calvert’s District: California health care advocates came together in Palm Desert to call on Rep. Ken Calvert (CA-41) to protect Medicaid for Californians with disabilities. Advocates discussed the need to protect Medicaid funding and called on the congressman to reject cuts to the program’s budget that could rip care away from disabled Californians. You can watch an Instagram reel of the rally here.

  • KESQ: Rally outside Calvert’s office urging he block potential Medicaid cuts
  • Roll Call: The Bernie Sanders tour puts California GOP on notice
  • NBC Palm Springs: Advocates Rally in Palm Desert Urging Rep. Ken Calvert to Reverse Vote on Medicaid Cuts

Thursday, April 17 – Children’s Health Care Rally at Rep. Young Kim’s Office: Kids, parents, advocates, and the broader community rallied in support of Medicaid in front of Rep. Young Kim’s office (CA-40) in Anaheim to call on the congresswoman to protect Medi-Cal for children who rely on the program for health care.

Wednesday, April 16—Children’s Health Care Rally at Rep. David Valadao’s Office: Kids, parents, advocates, and the broader community rallied in support of Medicaid in front of Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) in Bakersfield to call on the congressman to protect Medi-Cal for children who rely on the program for health care.

  • CBS: Hands Off Medicaid Rally in Bakersfield
  • Fox: Hands Off Medicaid Rally in Bakersfield

Friday, April 11 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Congressman Robert Garcia and California Medicaid Advocates: US Rep. Robert Garcia, family physician Dr. Ian Kim, and health care advocates Karen Reside and Josephine Rios joined Protect Our Care CA to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress like David Valadao, Young Kim, and Ken Calvert are working to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax-breaks to the ultra-wealthy. “House Republicans, including some here in California, are directly lying to the American public about this budget proposal. There’s no question: there are Medicaid cuts in this budget framework.” said Congressman Robert Garcia. “For us in California, the millions and millions of people who rely on Medi-Cal, they are going to either lose coverage, have reduced coverage, or be forced to leave coverage.” You can watch the event here.

  • KPFA: Healthcare advocates and CA congressmember Robert Garcia blast republican move to slash Medicaid by $880 billion

IOWA

Thursday, April 24 – Medicaid Community Forum with Health Care Advocates: Protect Our Care Iowa co-hosted a community forum with SEIU, AFGE, Planned Parenthood, and ICAN to highlight what’s at risk for Iowans if the proposed Medicaid cuts in the federal budget become a reality. Doctors, health care workers, and Iowa residents with lived experience shared stories and insight into how these cuts would affect access to care, local hospitals, and families across our state. “We are here today to let Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks know that we want answers and we don’t want Medicaid to get cut,” said Gabriela Fuentes of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa. “As you can see, people are really looking for answers. What is going to happen with Medicaid? There are so many people that are going to be affected if Medicaid is cut.” 

  • KGAN: Iowans voice concerns over Medicaid cuts at North Liberty forum, urge action from lawmaker
  • KCRG: Putting a Balanced Budget to the Test

Tuesday, April 22 – Office Visit, Petition Delivery, and Storyteller Sharing at Representative Marianette Miller-Meeks’ Indianola District Office: Storytellers and advocates visited Representative Miller-Meeks’ office to discuss the importance of Medicaid and what’s at risk for vulnerable Iowans. Eleven storytellers and three staff members listed above met at Rep. Miller-Meeks’ Indianola office to speak with office staff about the proposed cuts to Medicaid and the impacts it would have on Iowans. “Any vote Congresswoman Miller-Meeks makes to gut Medicaid funding is a direct hit to the health and well-being of thousands of Iowans in her district,” said Jill Kordick of Norwalk. “Medicaid is a vital lifeline for children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. These cuts would jeopardize access to care, force impossible choices for families, and deliver a fiscal sucker punch to rural health systems.

MAINE

Thursday, April 24 – Medicaid Day of Action Event with Maine House Chair of Appropriations Drew Gattine and Dr. Jessica Faraci: Maine House Chair of Appropriations Drew Gattine and Dr. Jessica Faraci of Maine Medical Association joined Protect Our Care Maine to highlight how Medicaid, referred to as MaineCare in Maine, is under attack like never before. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are working to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. Medicaid plays a vital role in providing affordable health care coverage for 400,000 Mainers, including seniors, people with disabilities, with nearly half being Maine children and people suffering from opioid addiction and mental health disorders. Gattine and Faraci discussed how the most vulnerable Mainers, particularly in rural counties, rely on MaineCare as a social safety net. “Medicaid is a vital necessity for Mainers,”  said State Rep. Drew Gattine. “In rural counties like Aroostook, Somerset, and Washington, 40% of the population benefits from MaineCare. Cutting Medicaid will also jeopardize an important element of Maine’s economy. Thousands upon thousands of Mainers’ jobs in the health care industry is at stake. Hospitals, mostly rural, will be jeopardized.” You can read the post-event release here. 

  • Spectrum News: Potential federal cuts could jeopardize MaineCare coverage, officials say
  • WABI Augusta: Protect Our Care Maine speak out against potential federal Medicaid cuts (also ran during 5pm, 7am broadcast)
  • WPFO Fox Portland: Protect Our Care Maine to Discuss What Potential Medicaid Cuts Would Mean for Mainers (also ran during 7am broadcast)
  • WGME: Protect Our Care Maine to Discuss What Potential Medicaid Cuts Would Mean for Mainers (also ran during 8am, 6am, 5am, and 4am broadcasts) 
  • WGME CBS Portland: Protect Our Care Maine, Democratic Lawmaker Discuss Threat of Medicaid Cuts
  • WPFO Fox Portland: Protect Our Care Maine, Democratic Lawmaker Discuss Threat of Medicaid Cuts
  • Maine Public: Washington Republicans propose billions of dollars in Medicaid cuts that would threaten MaineCare

MINNESOTA

Wednesday, April 16 – Medicaid Defense Event with Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Health Care Advocates: Congresswoman Betty McCollum and SEIU Advocates joined Protect Our Care Minnesota to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are working to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax-breaks to the ultra-wealthy. “One out of four Minnesotans rely on Medicaid for their health care. That includes 620,000 children and 90,000 seniors.  Working parents and children are 65% of enrollees,” said Congresswoman Betty McCollum. “We’re better than this. We need to budget. We need to plan with honesty and integrity, including families that are going to be directly impacted by these cuts. These are our brothers, our sisters, our cousins, our neighbors. They’re us.” You can watch the event here.

  • Red Lake Nation News: Congresswoman Betty McCollum and SEIU Advocates Join Protect Our Care Minnesota to Call Out GOP Plans to Cut Medicaid, Take Away Vital Health Care from Minnesotans
  • KSTP: McCollum Highlights Threats to Medicaid

Duluth News Tribune: Opinion: Medicaid on the Chopping Block for Northland Seniors.

  • “This means that cuts to Medicaid would not only hurt seniors who live in nursing homes or rely on long-term care services, but their families, too, who would have to shoulder the additional costs of caregiving. Everyone taking care of an aging relative knows the costs are exorbitant, and we should be making it easier for people to age with dignity, not harder. It’s no exaggeration to say Medicaid cuts would touch nearly every household across the nation.” 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Monday, April 14 – Medicaid Awareness Month/Rural Health Discussion with New Hampshire Advocates: Health care advocates Tuess Kuenning of Bi-State Primary Care Association, Ed Shanshala of the Ammonoosuc Community Health Services and Samuel Burgess from New Futures joined Protect Our Care New Hampshire to discuss how cuts to Medicaid would cause rural communities to lose access to critical health services. The panel focused on the urgent need to preserve and strengthen Medicaid in the face of potential federal funding cuts and ongoing economic uncertainty. “Medicaid is an economic lifeline for rural communities…” said Ed Shanshala, CEO of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services. “These dollars move around within the local economy. People pay their mortgage. They buy groceries. They buy a car. Without that investment in the state loan repayment program, it’s difficult. They want to come back. They want to care for their friends, family, and neighbors who nurtured them.” You can watch the full event here. 

  • WMUR: New Hampshire Health Leaders Warn Federal Medicaid Cuts Will Hurt Rural Health Centers
  • Caledonian Record:  Proposed Medicaid Cuts Raise Alarms In North Country
  • NHPR: ‘Hit From All Sides Right Now’: Proposed Budget Cuts Could Strain Nh’s Safety Net Health System 

NEW YORK

Tuesday, April 22—Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Congressman George Latimer and Health Care Advocates: Congressman and former Westchester County Executive George Latimer, White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach, White Plains Common Council President Victoria Presser and Westchester County Legislator Ben Boykin joined Protect Our Care New York to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are working to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax-breaks to the ultra-wealthy. “Medicaid isn’t just a budget line, it’s a lifeline for millions of New Yorkers,” said Congressman George Latimer. “In the 16th District alone, tens of thousands of seniors depend on Medicaid to stay healthy and secure. We cannot, and will not, allow Republicans to balance the budget on the backs of those who can least afford it.” You can watch the Congressman’s remarks here.

  • MidHudson News: Latimer rallies Westchester residents to oppose Medicaid cuts

Monday, April 21—Medicaid Defense Event with Senator Peter Welch and Congressman Paul Tonko: Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) and Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) hosted a rally in Plattsburgh to highlight the importance of protecting Medicaid coverage. Welch and Tonko discussed how Congressional Democrats are fighting to defend Americans’ access to health care and are working to push back against efforts to kick Vermonters and New Yorkers off Medicaid to pay for a tax cut for those who don’t pay their fair share. “This is about health care and the well-being of every American. President Trump and Republicans’ budget would cut care for those who need it most, all so they secure tax cuts for billionaires—that’s an acceptable deal to them. But as far as I’m concerned, there is no acceptable cut to health coverage,” said Senator Welch. “So while Republicans are attempting to finance a tax cut for the ultra-wealthy, Democrats will continue working to protect access to Medicaid for communities small and large and work to lower costs for hardworking families and seniors.”

  • NBC5 Plattsburgh: Sen. Peter Welch holds rally in Plattsburgh, sounds alarm over proposed federal cuts
  • NBC5 Plattsburgh: Vermont Sen. Peter Welch, NY Rep. Paul Tonko to hold joint rally in Plattsburgh
  • WCAX: Welch hosts North Country rally to protect Medicaid rights
  • WAMC: Vermont Senator Peter Welch and New York Congressman Paul Tonko hold rally to support Medicaid in Plattsburgh
  • VermontBiz: Welch, Tonko, community members rally in support of Medicaid
  • The Press-Republican: Welch, Tonko rally draws attention to possible Medicaid cuts

Playbook NY: “Medicaid Money: The Democratic-aligned Protect Our Care today will release a batch of ads knocking battleground New York House Republicans over Medicaid. The House GOP managed to pass a budget framework on Thursday that could lead to benefit program cuts. The ads are a sign Democrats will try to press the budget issue to their advantage next year — and squeeze moderate blue state lawmakers.” Written by Nick Reisman.

LoHud: Opinion: Republicans in Congress — like NY’s Mike Lawler — think Medicaid doesn’t matter.

  • “No one went to the polls in November to cut health care for our nation’s most vulnerable, and if Republicans get their way, we will all pay the price. It has never been more critical to do everything we can to protect affordable health care access in America.” Protect Our Care New York placed the piece in LoHud written by Carolyn Martinez-Class, co-executive director of Citizen Action of New York and Jasmine Gripper, co-director of the New York Working Families Party. 

NORTH CAROLINA

Saturday, April 19 – Poor Peoples’ Campaign Rally in Raleigh, North Carolina: Protect Our Care North Carolina provided support for the Poor Peoples’ Campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina. During the rally, speakers outlined several demands of the Trump administration, including maintaining due process, protecting voting rights, and adherence to a “Moral Budget”.

  • WRAL: Raleigh, Durham join nationwide day of action to protest actions of Trump administration

Thursday, April 24 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with State Representative Sarah Crawford and Health Care Advocates: State Rep. Sarah Crawford; Shannon Dingle, Little Lobbyists; and Eric Schneidewind, former AARP National President joined Protect Our Care North Carolina to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. “I get to see first hand, every day, the power of Medicaid. It is not simply a safety net. It is the foundation that holds up lives, families, providers, and their entire community system of care,” said State Representative Sarah Crawford. “But that foundation is under attack by political games. National Republicans, especially Donald Trump, are actively pushing to gut this vital program. Why? To pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. “ You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

PENNSYLVANIA

Friday, April 25 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with State Senator Vincent Hughes and Health Care Advocates: State Senator Hughes joined the Committee to Protect Health Care, Commonwealth Communications, and Protect Our Care Pennsylvania to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. View the pre-event advisory here. 

Monday, April 14 – SEIU Medicaid Rally in Representative Ryan Mackenzie’s District: Local community groups and constituents across the district rallied at Rep. Mackenzie’s district office, demanding accountability for his support of devastating Medicaid cuts and corporate giveaways championed by President Trump and House Republicans.

Wednesday, April 16 – SEIU Medicaid Rally in Representative Lloyd Smucker’s District: Local community groups and constituents across Lancaster County will rally at Rep. Lloyd Smucker’s district office Wednesday, April 16th, demanding accountability for his support of devastating Medicaid cuts and corporate giveaways championed by President Trump and House Republicans.

Thursday, April 17 – SEIU Medicaid Rally in Representative Scott Perry’s District: Protect Our Care Pennsylvania provided support for an SEIU rally to hold Representative Scott Perry accountable for Republican attacks on Medicaid. Local community groups and constituents rallied at Rep. Scott Perry’s district office, demanding accountability for his support of devastating Medicaid cuts and corporate giveaways championed by President Trump and House Republicans.

VIRGINIA

Wednesday, April 23 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with State Senator Ghazala Hashmi and Health Care Advocates: Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee Ghazala Hashmi joined SAARA of Virginia and Protect Our Care in discussing the impact that proposed cuts to Medicaid – including the potential automatic disenrollment of more than 629,000 Virginians in the expansion population – would have on behavioral health, including treatment for substance use disorders. “We are facing the biggest threat now to health care since the last Republican attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act,” said Senator Hashmi. “Congressional Republicans are now targeting $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid only for the purpose of funding irresponsible tax giveaways for corporations and for those who are already ultra-wealthy. Gutting Medicaid is going to be devastating to Virginians in every single zip code, and it will set us back in the fight to end the opioid epidemic.” You can watch the event here.

  • Courthouse News: Looming Medicaid Cuts Threaten Progress Made in Combating Opioid Crisis
  • Richmond Times-Dispatch: For Some Virginians, Talk of Cutting Medicaid Funds Hits Home (Full text is viewable here)
  • WRIC: Dems Warn That 630K Virginians Could Lose Health Insurance if Medicaid Is Cut

Thursday, April 18 – Medicaid Roundtable with Congressman Bobby Scott and Health Care Advocates: Protect Our Care Virginia provided storyteller Tony Hedgepeth, a veteran and member of SEIU Virginia 512, for a roundtable hosted by Congressman Bobby Scott and The Commonwealth Institute. Congressman Scott and advocates highlighted Congressional Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid. Congressman Scott also unveiled a new report from The Commonwealth Institute on the impact of the proposed cuts to Medicaid on veterans and military families. “This letter on Medicaid suggests that they’re not going to vote for Medicaid cuts, but unfortunately that’s not the case,” said Congressman Scott. “If you read the letter they say they won’t cut Medicaid for vulnerable populations, this population, or that population, but it doesn’t rule out cuts in Medicaid … The fact of the matter is the budget cutting Medicaid is necessary to help fund tax cuts for billionaires.” You can watch the event here.

Richmond Times Dispatch: Commentary: Slash funding for Medicaid and lose the fight against addiction

  • “If President Donald Trump and Congress follow through on their plans to gut Medicaid to pay for tax giveaways for corporations and billionaires, Virginia will be forced to dramatically cut back on addiction treatment services. Without federal support for Medicaid, the state would likely cut back on peer recovery specialists, stop covering crucial medication, and decrease the number of treatment beds, increasing wait times for people to get the help they need. That will have real, devastating impacts on people’s lives.” The op-ed was posted here, and the full text is viewable here.

WEST VIRGINIA

Thursday, April 24 – Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Delegate John Williams and Advocates in Morgantown, West Virginia: West Virginia delegate John Williams, West Virginians for Affordable Health Care executive director Ellen Allen, Milan Puskar Health Right executive director Laura Jones and Valley Community Services CEO G.N. James joined Protect Our Care West Virginia at Milan Puskar Health Right in Morgantown to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are working to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax-breaks to the ultra-wealthy. April marks the eighth annual Medicaid Awareness Month. During the event, speakers will discuss what’s at stake for this vital program and for the over 500,000 West Virginians who rely on Medicaid for health care. “I want my people to have health care,” said Delegate John Williams. “Medicaid has been a lifeline for them. It’s been something—with the expanded population—they’ve had access to for around 12 years now. To take this from them would literally be a death sentence for West Virginians. It would be an economic death sentence for our rural hospitals. This is an incredibly important issue, one of the most important issues that I’ve seen in my time in the legislature, and we need to be fighting it.” You can watch the full event here. 

  • WDTV: Del. Williams joins ‘Protect Our Care WV’ in effort to protect Medicaid
  • WVNS-TV: GOP delegate says West Virginia hospitals rely on Medicaid patients to remain operational, warns against federal cuts

West Virginia Watch: Opinion: Is West Virginia — and the rest of the country — prepared to care for our seniors? 

  • “There is an unprecedented and unnecessary attack on one of the largest health insurance programs in the country. The GOP has plans to rip Medicaid from our seniors — and every other person assisted by Medicaid — in the current budget process,” Allen writes. “Under the current proposal, West Virginia stands to lose over a half a billion federal dollars. And we all saw a few weeks ago how eager West Virginia Republicans are to throw tens of thousands of their constituents under the bus if Congress cuts the program. They didn’t even wait for their Congressional delegation. They preempted them by attempting to sneak in a Medicaid trigger bill signaling the message: Hey, it’s OK, we don’t care if you gut Medicaid. We are ready and willing.” Protect Our Care West Virginia placed the piece by West Virginians for Affordable Health Care executive director Ellen Allen. 

Charleston Gazette: Mail Op-Ed: Capito, Justice Must Hold Stance on Health Care 

  • “A cut that huge would truly be, as Justice said, beyond catastrophic across the U.S. and especially in low-income states like West Virginia,” Wilson writes. “Our already dismal health statistics would get worse. Minor issues will turn major. Substance use disorder will go untreated. The cost of emergency room visits and uncompensated care will grow and be passed on to others. Rural hospitals will close. Jobs will be lost. And people will die. The margins in Congress are razor thin. Our senators’ votes could influence the final outcome, especially after the House voted to throw us under the bus. I hope Justice and Capito take their own advice and side with the people of West Virginia again.” Protect Our Care West Virginia placed the piece by columnist Rick Wilson reflecting on Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice’s stances on Medicaid and health care from eight years ago, and their past messages supporting Medicaid and Obamacare. The full piece is viewable here.

Thursday, April 10 – Disability Advocacy Medicaid Awareness Month Event with Caregiver Mariah Plante and Advocates: Mariah Plante, who is the full-time caregiver of her brother with disabilities, and health care advocates Sherri McKinney from SEIU 1199 and Ellen Allen from West Virginians for Affordable Health Care joined Protect Our Care West Virginia to kick off Medicaid Awareness Month and discuss the GOP plan to cut Medicaid and risk health care for 500,000 West Virginians, including 86,000 people with disabilities. Plante shared her story of taking care of her brother and relying on the Medicaid IDD Waiver program: “Even though there are few resources available for families like ours in this part of the state, Medicaid is our lifeline,” Plante said. “It covers his Medical care, eyeglasses, and behavioral support, including specialists that would otherwise be totally inaccessible if we had to pay out of pocket for their services. Most importantly, Medicaid enables us to care for Matt at home and provide him with the daily support only a family member can give–instead of in a state-run facility. If Medicaid were to pull back on that support, a lot of people who can’t afford to take care of their loved ones will fall through the cracks.” You can watch the full event here. 

Charleston Gazette: Opinion: Medicaid Cuts Put Our Children At Risk

  • “Staffing shortages might lead to closures of facilities that West Virginians rely on for care,” Lefeber writes. “Perhaps the most drastic impact would be felt in rural parts of the state, which are home to the vast majority, or two-thirds, of our residents. Children in rural areas are more dependent on Medicaid coverage and 36% of hospitals are already at risk of closing.” Protect Our Care West Virginia placed an opinion piece by the executive director of the West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Candice Lefeber, who explains that Medicaid cuts would be particularly detrimental to West Virginia children, as around 40% enrolled in Medicaid. The full piece is viewable here.

WISCONSIN

Wednesday, April 23 – Medicaid Awareness Month Roundtable with Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Health Care Advocates: U.S. Representative Gwen Moore held a roundtable discussion in conjunction with Protect Our Care Wisconsin to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are working to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax-breaks to the ultra-wealthy. “Medicaid work requirements are functionally medicaid cuts – Mom and I are drowning in paperwork already as it is,” said Erin Miller, a young adult on Badgercare. “Please, no more paperwork. More requirements for people who are already working, like me, are just more work.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

Tuesday, April 22 – Medicaid Accountability Town Hall with Congressman Mark Pocan and Health Care Advocates in La Crosse, Wisconsin: Protect Our Care Wisconsin co-sponsored an accountability town hall with Congressman Pocan, several partner organizations from across Wisconsin, and a guest appearance from Senator Bernie Sanders. During the town hall, Congressman Pocan answered questions from constituents of Representative Derrick Van Orden who shared their concerns about a variety of issues including health care, taxes, and government programs. “Someone’s got to fight for them,” said Congressman Pocan. “And if these certain members are unwilling to listen to constituents, I’m going to make them uncomfortable until they do.”

  • WIZM: Around 300 at La Crosse Town Hall With US House Rep. Mark Pocan and Surprise Visit From Sen. Bernie Sanders
  • News8000: Pocan on Third District Town Hall: ‘Someone’s Got to Fight for Them’
  • WXOX: Opportunity Wisconsin Hosts Rep. Pocan in Town Hall, Rep. Van Orden a No Show
  • WisPolitics: Opportunity Wisconsin: Congressman Pocan joins La Crosse town hall meeting as Congressman Van Orden continues to dodge in-person town halls 
  • WIZM: Rep. Pocan, and Bernie Sanders, Highlight a Town Hall Discussion in La Crosse
  • WKBT: Representative Mark Pocan Will Host a Town Hall in La Crosse
  • WAOW: Representative Pocan Holds Town Hall Outside of His District
  • WMSN: La Crosse Voters Get the Chance to Directly Question a Member of Congress
  • WKBT: Accountability Town Hall in La Crosse
  • WISC: La Crosse Voters Question One of Their Representatives
  • WKBT: Rep. Pocan Faces Third District Voters in La Crosse

Tuesday, April 15 – “Hands Off Medicaid” Roundtable with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Health Care Advocates: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin held a “Hands Off Medicaid” roundtable in Green Bay, Wisconsin in conjunction with Protect Our Care Wisconsin to highlight how Medicaid is under attack like never before. “Threats to Medicaid are very serious right now,” said Senator Baldwin.  “…as the president and Republicans in Congress are proposing massive slashes to the Medicaid program,” You can view the post-event release here.

  • FOX11: Despite GOP Claims to Not Gut Medicaid, Democrats Continue Voicing Concerns Over Program
  • WeAreGreenBay: Baldwin Brings ‘Hands off Medicaid’ Tour to Green Bay as GOP Health Proposals Move Forward
  • State Affairs Pro: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin calls out GOP plans to cut Medicaid, take away vital health care from Wisconsinites
  • WBAY: Senator Baldwin Stops in Green Bay
  • WBAY: Baldwin Hands Off Medicaid Tour Comes to Green Bay
  • WBAY: Baldwin Visits Green Bay
  • WFRV: “Hands Off Medicaid” Tour Comes to Green Bay 
  • WFRV: Senator Baldwin Continues Medicaid Tour
  • WTAQ: Senator Baldwin Discusses the Republican Plan to Cut Medicaid 
  • WTAQ: Senator Baldwin Shares Her Story About Medicaid 
  • WMTV: Senator Baldwin Continues Her Hands Off Medicaid Tour in Green Bay
  • WLUK: Senator Baldwin Continues Her Push to Protect Medicaid 
ashoup
In News, Press Call

NEW: Protect Our Care Hosts Day of Action Telling Republicans “Hands Off Medicaid”

Day of Action Features Events Across the Country, New Ad Campaign, Nationwide Kiosks Calling Out GOP Plans to Rip Away Vital Health Care

View the Ads Here

Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, April 24, Protect Our Care is hosting a Medicaid day of action with events across the country and a new ad campaign targeting key Republican Senators and House members as part of its $10 Million “Hands Off Medicaid” campaign. The day of action calls on Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress to put an end to their war on health care as they work to cut Medicaid by nearly a trillion dollars to pay for tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. 

Protect Our Care’s new digital ads target Senators Thom Tillis, Chuck Grassley, Joni Ernst, Jim Justice, Shelley Moore Capito, Ron Johnson, and Rep. Derrick Van Orden, calling them out for their disastrous votes to cut Medicaid for seniors, children, families, people with disabilities, and more. Events will take place in North Carolina, California, Iowa, Arizona, West Virginia, and Maine. Additionally, Protect Our Care is launching new kiosk ads across nine states. The kiosk advertising will target 14 House Members — including four key members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which will write the GOP bill to slash Medicaid to provide tax cuts to the rich. The ads will generate 250,000 impressions across the 14 congressional districts and will appear on digital kiosks in convenience stores, pharmacies, doctors offices, eateries, and social spaces.

To mark this day of action, Protect Our Care President Brad Woodhouse released the following statement: 

 “Poll after poll confirms Trump and Republicans’ scheme to gut Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for billionaires is completely out of step with the views of the American people including Trump’s own supporters. Medicaid provides vital affordable health care for millions of people, touching nearly every community and most households in the country, but the Republican health care agenda isn’t about families or everyday Americans — it’s about Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthy, no matter who pays the price.”

Digital Ads

Links to each of the ads can be found below:
North Carolina – Thom Tillis
Iowa – Chuck Grassley/Joni Ernst
West Virginia – Jim Justice/Shelley Moore Capito
Wisconsin – Ron Johnson/Rep. Derrick Van Orden

Sample Ad Script for North Carolina:

Narrator: Your senator in Congress, Thom Tillis, just voted to slash our health care to help pay for massive tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. 

Over 70 million Americans count on Medicaid for their health care. And putting seniors, children with disabilities, working families, and rural hospitals at risk to provide another tax break for the wealthiest Americans is just plain wrong. 

Call Thom Tillis and tell him – Hands off Medicaid.

Kiosks

Links to each of the kiosk ads can be found below:
Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ-1)
Rep. Young Kim (R-CA-40)
Rep. David Valadao (R-CA-22)
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA-41)
Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO-8)
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-1)
Rep. John James (R-MI-10)
Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. (R-NJ-7)
Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY-1)
Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-2)
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY-17)
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA-7)
Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-8)
Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA-4)

April 24 Events 

NORTH CAROLINA

WHO:
State Rep. Sarah Crawford
Shannon Dingle, Little Lobbyists
Eric Schneidewind, former AARP National President

WHERE: 301 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC Conference Room. Register by emailing Vanessa Watson ([email protected]).

WHEN: Thursday, April 24th at 2 PM ET

CALIFORNIA

WHO:
SEIU and California health care advocates

WHERE: 2700 M Street, Bakersfield, CA, Event Sign-Up

WHEN: Thursday, April 24th at 11:30 AM PST

IOWA

WHO:
Dr. Andrea Greiner
Mandi Remington
Pat Kearns
Evelyn Irving
Mike Owen
Ed Esbeck

WHERE: Gerdin Conference Center, 520 W Cherry Street, North Liberty, IA 52317

WHEN: Thursday, April 24th at 6 PM CT

ARIZONA

WHO:
Arizona State Senator Analise Ortiz
Healthcare Rising Arizona (SEIU)
Planned Parenthood Arizona
Morgan Finkelstein, Protect Our Care Arizona

WHERE: Arizona State Capitol Building, Phoenix, AZ

WHEN: Thursday, April 24th at 12 PM AZT

WEST VIRGINIA

WHO:
Lynette Maselli, Protect Our Care West Virginia
Delegate John Williams, Morgantown
Ellen Allen, West Virginians for Affordable Health Care
Laura Jones, Milan Puskar Health Right
G.N. Janes, Valley Community Services

WHERE: Milan Puskar Health Right, 341 Spruce Street, Morgantown, WV 26505

WHEN: Thursday, April 24th at 11 AM ET

MAINE

WHO:
Maine Representative Drew Gattine
Anne Woloson, Consumers for Affordable Health Care
Toby McGrath, Protect Our Care Maine
Dr. Jessica Faraci, Maine Medical Association

WHERE: Maine State House Welcome Center, Augusta, ME

WHEN: Thursday, April 24th at 12 PM ET

April is Medicaid Awareness Month, and Protect Our Care is continuing its “Hands Off Medicaid” campaign with paid ads, new research, and nationwide events to underscore the importance of Medicaid across the country. Alongside partners, lawmakers, and other advocates, Protect Our Care is working to defend Medicaid from the Republican-led plan to slash funding to pay for another round of tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations.

ashoup
In News

ROUNDUP: Republican Plans to Slash Medicaid and Sell Americans Out to the Rich

While experts across the country are raising the alarm about the devastation of Medicaid cuts, Republicans are charging forward with their plan to slash $880 billion from the program in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, such a drastic reduction in funding will lead to the largest cuts in Medicaid history and rip health care away from millions of seniors in nursing homes, children, veterans, working families, and more. Every single community across the country will feel the effects of these cuts. In addition, poll after poll after poll has found Republican lawmakers are completely out of step with the American people when it comes to Medicaid. A majority of voters, including GOP voters, oppose cuts to Medicaid and are counting on Republicans to do the right thing – reject cuts to Medicaid. 

During this Medicaid Awareness Month, Protect Our Care is continuing its “Hands Off Medicaid” campaign with theme weeks to underscore the importance of Medicaid across the country. Alongside partners, lawmakers, and other advocates, Protect Our Care is working to defend Medicaid from the Republican-led plan to slash funding to pay for another round of tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations. 

The New Republic: GOP Rep. Lays Out Exactly How Party Will Kick People Off Medicaid. 

  • “The GOP wants to drastically decrease the federal match rate for the ACA expansion and shift more financial responsibility to states, Republican Representative Austin Scott told Fox Business Tuesday. The cut would be devastating to the 20 million Americans who currently rely on the expansion for health insurance coverage—many of whom reside in red states—and would leave some 40 states that have adopted the ACA expansion to fend for themselves with their limited budgets. According to an analysis from the health nonprofit KFF, if states had to pay a higher match-rate percentage, many would likely abandon the ACA program altogether, resulting in millions of lost coverage for low-income Americans.”

CNN: Republicans Are Targeting a Pillar of Obamacare. Millions of Their Own Voters May Pay a Price.

  • “As the pressure grows on congressional Republicans to identify cuts in Medicaid, they are crashing into a familiar problem: The changes that could save the most money would impose heavy costs on many of their own voters.”
  • “But GOP constituencies would hardly be immune if Congress rescinds the expansion. Nearly three dozen House Republicans also represent districts where the number of people receiving coverage through that Medicaid expansion exceeds the national district average of about 61,600, the analysis found. And nearly two dozen GOP senators likewise represent states with a substantial population of enrollees covered through the ACA’s Medicaid expansion.”

Forbes: Medicaid Is On The Menu As Republicans Seek Trump Budget Deal.

  • “Two months ago, the House of Representatives adopted a budget resolution that calls for $2 trillion in cuts to mandatory spending over the next decade, including $880 billion from the part of the budget that funds Medicaid and Medicare. If Congress slashes Medicaid, lower-income Americans will lose far more than they gain from their modest tax breaks.”

The Hill: Medicaid Cuts Risk Worsening Black Maternal Health Crisis.

  • “Medicaid’s coverage of prenatal care is vital to closing the gaps in the maternal mortality crisis, said Stacey Brayboy, senior vice president of public policy and government affairs at March of Dimes. Medicaid’s prenatal care can help cover not only screenings like Ewell needed each week, but can also help track pregnant people’s cardiovascular health, risks for preeclampsia, high blood pressure and glucose levels — all chronic stressors that can cause preterm births.”

The Hill: Cutting Federal Medicaid Expansion Funding Could Lead to 30K Additional Deaths: Analysis. 

  • “[A]nalysis by the Centers for American Progress (CAP), shared first with The Hill, found that about 34,200 more people would die annually if the federal government reduced its current 90 percent match for the expansion costs and states responded by dropping their Medicaid expansion… ‘The federal government is paying 90 percent of the Medicaid expansion. What we have talked about is moving that 90 percent level of the expansion back toward the more traditional level,’ Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) said in an interview Monday… Eliminating the enhanced federal match for the Medicaid expansion population would dramatically reduce federal spending, but it would also shift those costs to the states, forcing governors to make difficult decisions.”

Newsweek: Republican Explains Potential Changes to Medicaid. 

  • “Republicans are considering lowering the FMAP, which would shift more the funding to the states, Scott told Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo on Monday… Dr. Michelle Au, an anesthesiologist and Democratic Georgia state Representative, [said] on X: ‘The 9 to 1 federal match applies to states that fully expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Congressional Republicans know states can’t cover the same number of patients if this federal match is cut. It also allows them to blame governors for the cuts Congress makes.’”

Politicus USA: Republicans Plan To Gut Medicaid Funding Then Blame The States When People Lose Healthcare.

  • “Republicans think that the American people are stupid. This is not a statement that is made lightly or in jest, but it is the only possible explanation for the scheme that they have come up with to avoid blame for gutting Medicaid… The scam is simple. Republicans are going to slash the federal funding and then force governors to throw people off Medicaid, because their states can’t afford to come up with another 40% in Medicaid funds.”

Semafor: Choppy Waters for Gop’s Medicaid Cuts. 

  • “When Republicans get into the details of cutting Medicaid spending to pay for tax cuts, things get pretty perilous. Consider Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., who on Monday floated shrinking the federal government’s 90% share of Medicaid expansion for states that opted to expand the program under the Affordable Care Act (Georgia is one of 10 states that have not expanded the program). He said on Fox Business that ‘we are going to ask the states to pick up and pay some additional percentage.’ By Tuesday evening, congressional Democrats were hammering the plan, while Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., distanced himself from the idea.”

Axios: Hospitals Warn of “Devastating” D.C. Medicaid Cut. 

  • “A House Republican proposal to cut the District of Columbia’s federal Medicaid reimbursement to generate savings for reconciliation is sending shudders through the city’s hospitals… [T]he D.C. Hospital Association is warning it would have “devastating” effects, including longer wait times and even the possible closure of a hospital… The proposal under consideration would cut D.C.’s federal Medicaid reimbursement, or FMAP, from 70% to 50%.”

The State Journal-Register:  ‘It Just Seems So Unfair:’ Illinois Families Brace for Possible Medicaid Cuts.

  • “But attending a day program can be ‘prohibitively’ expensive without Medicaid, Nicoletta added. ‘We just don’t know what’s going to happen, and it just seems so unfair that there are legislators and government officials that are making decisions about these things when they haven’t thought it all through, I don’t think.’”

The Daily News-Miner: Opinion: Senator’s Medicaid Math Doesn’t Add Up for Alaska. 

  • “Sullivan castigated Democrats for opposing his amendment to protect Medicaid for the “most vulnerable,” claiming they were hypocrites who don’t want to protect Medicaid. But when an amendment to delete budget instructions that would slash Medicaid came up for a vote, Sullivan opposed that attempt to protect the program.”

WyoFile: Opinion: Gutting Medicaid to Give Tax Breaks to the Wealthy Isn’t a Smart Choice, Especially for Wyoming.

  • “Republicans have targeted Medicaid funding for decades and it appears the party’s leaders, axes anxiously in hand, finally have it on the chopping block. But the GOP doesn’t have to make huge cuts to a program that provides health insurance to 79 million low-income Americans.”
  • “What happens when Americans realize that an $880 billion cut to Medicaid means their aging family members won’t be eligible for nursing home care? The Economic Policy Institute says cutting Medicaid to pay for low taxes on the rich is a terrible trade. The institute notes Medicaid cuts that deprive children of access to health coverage could actually increase the federal budget in the long term because these children will not only be less healthy, they’ll grow up to earn less in wages, pay less in taxes and be more likely to receive other public benefits.”
Close Menu