The 28-state Medicaid winner marched on Capitol Hill Tuesday to appeal to Congress from Donald Trump and his Republican allies to protect the health insurance program, a lifeline important to millions of Americans.
Approximately 130 protesters across the United States held rally outside the Capitol building, saying, “protecting our lifeline, protecting Medicaid and Snap, and giving benefits through billionaires.”
Medicaid is the largest medical program in the United States, offering free or low-cost insurance for low-income adults, children, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities. SNAP offers important food benefits for low-income families.
With Republicans in the House of Representatives planning to move forward with Trump's tax cuts, Democrats and public health advocates say it's difficult to achieve their goals without cutting deep into Medicaid and Snap.
Organizers said Medicaid beneficiaries will hold 90 meetings with both Democrats and Republicans on Tuesday.
“We've been working hard to get into the world,” said Cynthia Traviso, 42, of Rockland County, New York. “There are mothers who say that without essential attention from Medicaid, grown children will lose the ability to live independently. Here are some sisters in support facilities. They will actually lose the ability to live.”
She added: “People don't realize that Medicaid is more than the insurance you have. It actually funds local hospitals, so they'll lose hospitals near us without Medicaid.”
Travieso denounced Trump and Republicans with a “relent” attitude. “Their approach doesn't focus on those who actually elected them to power. They focus on the select few people who are pulling the string behind the scenes. Their approach is extremely dangerous and I want to see something different to what they're doing now.”
Individuals at the assembly share personal experiences highlighting how Medicaid manages chronic and life-threatening conditions, maintains independence and hopes for a future.
Eliza Blader, from Bloomington, Indiana, experienced a spinal injury that had been misdiagnosed for two years.
Bishop Christopher Lee of Ohio highlighted the broad impact of the potential cuts, saying, “If Medicaid and snaps are cut, it would be a huge blow to our children, our seniors and our families.
“We live in communities that are food deserts, and many of those families rely on the benefits of snaps, relying on Medicaid to achieve our goals and stay healthy. Medicaid supports two of our five children.
Lee said, “We'll fight! We'll win! We'll fight! We'll win!”
Camilla Hudson, 60, from Chicago, said in an interview that Medicaid has allowed him to “facing head-on” his rare autoimmune state, allowing him to access drugs with retail pharmacy costs of more than $20,000 a month.
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If it was cut off, she said, “To be honest, I don't even know the scale. I can receive daily health care, but you know you lose the continuity of care…
“It removes uncertainty, fear, pain and more physical health, all of these diseases debilitate chronic pain and deals with no treatment and no prescription medication coverage to cover and manage everything.
Hudson accused Trump and his Republican allies of “completely lacking humanity.”
Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, told reporters that Trump gave him a “clear” promise last week that Medicaid benefits would not be cut.
But this means House Republicans have to change plans. Because their meetings are looking for 2TN to cut spending by overhauling Medicaid and snaps.
Democrat Haquem Jeffries, a minority leader in the House, told MSNBC over the weekend: “Children are devastated. Women are devastated. Elderly Americans are devastated. Everyday Americans with disabilities are devastated.
