John,
Late last night, the House Energy and Commerce Committee released their bill to make $715 billion in cuts to Medicaid―the largest cut in the history of the program.1 Nearly 14 million Americans will lose health coverage as a result to cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, including 8.6 million from cuts to Medicaid alone.2
Over the past few months, I’ve heard from people across the country how critical Medicaid is to the well-being of older adults, children, people with disabilities, family caregivers, care workers, and families in EVERY community and district. These cuts would take health care away from disabled children, force rural hospitals and nursing homes to close, shutter drug treatment programs and reduce access to mental health services, and make it harder for everyone to access the health care they need. Now more than ever, it’s critical to protect health care, nutrition, and other essential services that help millions of families meet their basic needs. We should be strengthening support for these programs―not taking it away.
House committee consideration of this proposal and others will kick off tomorrow and may go through the night to set up a vote on the House floor next week. Congress is fast-tracking cruel legislation that would rip the heart out of programs for Americans who need support. Republican lawmakers in Washington are moving too far, too fast―but it’s not too late to change course. Instead of cutting basic needs programs, Congress should focus on helping Americans who need support.
With the committee votes this week, a full House vote expected next week, and negotiations on a final package already underway, we need to speak up now.
Send a direct message to Congress telling them to protect Medicaid and reject any cuts to basic needs programs in current budget negotiations.
Thank you for all you do,
Meredith Dodson
Senior Public Policy Director, CHN Action
1 tweet thread from Stan Dorn, Unidos
2 analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget office on health provisions in Energy and Commerce Committee legislation
