Washington, D.C. — Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) joined Protect Our Care for a press conference condemning the Republican budget that includes the largest cuts to Medicaid in history. The Republican legislation will hike health care costs, close rural hospitals, and rip coverage away from millions.
This week, House Republicans on the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees have voted to advance their legislation to slash billions from Medicaid funding. Almost 80 million Americans rely on Medicaid/CHIP, including seniors, children, veterans, people with disabilities, workers who don’t get insurance through their jobs, and people who take care of their children or elderly parents. Americans across party lines oppose cuts to Medicaid, but Republicans are charging ahead to take away people’s health care in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations.
In addition to draconian Medicaid cuts, Republicans are raising premiums and out-of-pocket costs for tens of millions of people who buy coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These Republican price hikes will force millions of middle-class families to lose their coverage altogether.
“Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have been trying to gut the ACA and rip away health care coverage for over a decade. And this week, they released their newest and cruelest plan – the largest cut to Medicaid in American history – all to lower taxes for billionaires,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). “Republicans have spent months promising they will not cut Medicaid but their proposal shows as clear as day that they never intended to keep that promise. Democrats have been in this fight for a long time – and we are going to keep up the pressure, fight these cruel cuts, and hold Republicans’ feet to the fire.”
“There are so many families in America who understand that their loved ones either have no savings or limited savings, and they rely on Medicaid,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). “That is what Republicans are putting at risk right now. All it would take to stop this is for Republicans to stand up and say no.”
“I’ve been traveling around Wisconsin talking to families about what getting Medicaid actually means to them, and it is deeply personal,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). “Republicans are doing all sorts of tricks to try to hide what they’re doing, but at the end of the day, the result is the same: fewer Americans will have health care and the wealthiest people will get tax breaks. We’ve been able to shine a spotlight on exactly what the Republicans are doing, and we’re not going to stop fighting.”
“This impacts not just our fellow Americans who count on Medicaid, but all of us,” said Senator Tina Smith (D-MN). “It’s whether or not rural hospitals are going to be there for us, whether emergency rooms are going to be full. All Republicans are doing is cutting the care that Americans need to take care of themselves.”
“Medicaid is a real lifeline for Vermonters,” said Senator Peter Welch (D-VT). “But Republicans are so intimidated by Trump that they’re willing to cut billions from Medicaid and turn a blind eye to the consequences. This budget will be brutal on individuals, families, and community institutions in red and blue states across the country.”
“What we’re seeing now with these reckless, cruel, and craven plans to cut Medicaid from the people of America is horrific,” said Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD). “Medicaid provides for the vulnerable, for the children who need it, for our elders. We must save Medicaid. Now, Republicans have an opportunity to be courageous and join us in standing against these cuts and doing the right thing.”
“Republicans are abandoning everyday Americans – our seniors, our children, people with disabilities, veterans, and rural hospitals,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “There’s still time for Republicans to do the right thing and reject these draconian cuts to Medicaid.”