Oppose Medicaid Budget Cuts NOW

Action 22

Hello Everyone,

As we write this, a Budget Reconciliation bill that would slash Medicaid by $600 BILLION is being negotiated in congressional committees. In the coming weeks, the bill will head to the House, and Republicans are hoping for a floor vote by Memorial Day weekend.

WHAT’S going on and WHY it’s important:

Yesterday congressional Republicans released budget cut proposals that would axe Medicaid by unprecedented sums, end ACA premium subsidies, impose a $1 million home equity limit for Medicaid long term care, and go after undocumented children’s healthcare. They also want to cut food programs like SNAP (Supplemental Assistance Program), Farm to School grants, and food inspection and safety standards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Bobby Kogan, Senior Director of Federal Budget Policy for the Center for American Progress, predicts that more than 8 million people will lose their health insurance. Senator Amy Klobuchar expects that 42 million Americans will be affected by the SNAP cuts.

WHAT we can do:

1. Call your Congressional Reps. Let them know that the Republicans’ budget proposals are unacceptable. Find phone numbers for your representatives here. Vermonters, call Representative Becca Balint at 802-652-2450.

Script (thanks to Jessica Craven!):

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [TOWN/CITY].

I'm calling to urge Rep / [NAME] to oppose the Republicans’ proposed Medicaid and food program cuts like SNAP. Cutting over $700 billion in health coverage means at least 8 million people—and likely many more— will lose their health insurance. Some of these people will die because they can’t afford care. SNAP cuts will directly affect 42 million Americans including farmers and schools.

The fact that Republicans are willing to literally let Americans die so that rich people can get tax cuts is completely unacceptable. Speak to your colleagues about this outrage and vote no when The Budget Reconciliation bill comes up. Thanks.

2. Call your governors if you live in one of the following states: Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhodes Island, and New Jersey. You can find your governor’s number here. Vermonters, call Governor Scott at 802-828-3333.

Let your governor know that their state budget would be hit hard by the Republicans’ proposed reconciliation bill that aims to reduce federal Medicaid funding for states that cover undocumented immigrants. According to the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, the bill would lower the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for states that choose to cover undocumented children and individuals. Left to foot a greater percentage of the bill and unable to balance a heftier budget, many states would be forced to terminate health coverage for undocumented residents.

Photo Credit: Marek Studzinski

FINAL NOTE:

Shoulders, by Naomi Shihab Nye

A man crosses the street in rain,
stepping gently, looking two times north and south,
because his son is asleep on his shoulder.

No car must splash him.
No car drive too near to his shadow.

This man carries the world’s most sensitive cargo
but he’s not marked.
Nowhere does his jacket say FRAGILE,
HANDLE WITH CARE.

His ear fills up with breathing.
He hears the hum of a boy’s dream
deep inside him.

We’re not going to be able
to live in this world
if we’re not willing to do what he’s doing
with one another.

The road will only be wide.
The rain will never stop falling.

Braver Together,
Liza and Lorni ♡