Seniors, caregivers, and individuals living with disabilities protest Medicaid cuts outside Rep. Jason Lewis’s home, during the August recess
August 9, 2017
Contact: Kenza Hadj-Moussa, 612-386-9556
NEWS RELEASE
Seniors, caregivers, and individuals living with disabilities protest Medicaid cuts outside Rep. Jason Lewis’s home, during the August recess
Rep. Lewis recently wrote in a commentary he was “proud” of his vote on the GOP’s health care reform bill
(Woodbury, MN) — Today, seniors, caregivers, and activists living with disabilities delivered a letter to Rep. Jason Lewis’s home in Woodbury. Their message to the Congressman over the August recess is clear: protect Medicaid.
The threat to gut Medicaid continues in federal budget discussions. Cuts proposed to Medicaid are outlined in GOP Speaker Ryan’s federal budget resolution. Today’s demonstration was part of a nationwide day of action, protesting the $1.5 trillion in proposed cuts—which are even deeper than the GOP’s failed health care repeal bill.
TakeAction Minnesota members have vowed to keep up the pressure on Rep. Lewis. Proposed Medicaid cuts would hurt Minnesota families, including seniors and people with disabilities. Cuts would also be devastating for family caregivers and home care workers.
“My PCA would have to juggle even more work to keep up with the cost of living,” Debra Francis, an older Minnesotan and TakeAction member stated this morning. “Medicaid only provides the baseline of what thousands of families need. Caregivers, like my PCA, and seniors, like myself, are hardly getting by as it is.”
Medicaid is the largest provider of care and assistance for older adults and people with disabilities, covering two-thirds of all people in nursing homes, and the majority of home care. When members of Congress return to Washington, D.C. after the August recess, the federal budget will be up for debate.
Pressure to protect Medicaid is expected to grow from the caring economy and concerned constituents. “My family members and closest friends have been on Medicaid or are currently enrolled. I don’t know what would happen to them if these cuts happen,” said Delores Voorhees, a TakeAction Minnesota member. “I am worried they will cost millions of people, including my loved ones, their lives.”
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TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide, multi-racial people’s organization. We advance democracy and equity through organizing, political action, and policy campaigns.
www.takeactionminnesota.org
