Washington, DC – A coalition of advocates, union members, and partners have declared “Code Blue for Medicaid” – an emergency response campaign to stop Congress from approving radical cuts for health services.
“Medicaid is a lifeline for working people,” said April Verrett, President of SEIU. “Congress is trying to rip that lifeline away to fund billions in tax breaks to the ultra-rich. Slashing Medicaid means seniors losing home care and kids missing out on the care they need. Let’s call this what it is: stealing from everyday people and giving handouts to billionaires. That’s why SEIU members and our allies are calling a Code Blue on Medicaid, because lives are on the line.”
The “Code Blue for Medicaid” campaign includes in-district events targeting lawmakers who support Medicaid reductions. This coalition is putting Congress on notice as lawmakers in Washington advance a federal budget that relies on deep cuts to essential Medicaid services. These devastating reductions would strip healthcare from millions of Americans – all to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and corporations, offering nothing to America’s families.
“As some in Congress try to cut healthcare to hand tax breaks to billionaires, AFT members are fighting for our patients and students. Medicaid keeps hospitals open and supports physical and mental health services in many K-12 schools. All too often, patients face interminable delays, overcrowded waiting rooms, and understaffing that puts them in danger. These issues will only get worse if these cuts are finalized. Medicaid is a foundational piece of our health system and must be protected,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.
Because it is already a highly efficient program, cutting hundreds of billions from Medicaid would have devastating consequences. These cuts would mean seniors losing access to home care, children missing routine checkups and critical treatments, and rural hospitals shutting their doors. Medicaid is the largest health insurance program in the country, providing healthcare to nearly 80 million people, including close to 40% of our nation’s children. Medicaid covers nearly one in five Americans – seniors, veterans, kids, people with disabilities, and rural Americans. One of the primary ways Congress is likely to impose these devastating Medicaid cuts is through so-called “work requirements” – a bureaucratic gimmick to kick people off their healthcare. Medicaid helps pay for the jobs of healthcare workers who care for our loved ones in hospitals, nursing homes, and in their own homes and communities.
Groups involved in this coalition include: Access Ready Inc, Action Center on Race and the Economy, AFT: Education, Healthcare, Public Services, Allies for Independence, Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Be a Hero, Caring Across Generations, Care Can’t Wait Action, Care in Action, Committee to Protect Health Care, Community Catalyst, Community Change Action, Debt Collective, Families Over Billionaires, Families USA, Health Care for America Now (HCAN), Justice in Aging, National Education Association, National Health Law Program, National PLAN Alliance (NPA), People’s Action Institute, Popular Democracy Action, Protect Our Care, SEIU, The Kelsey, and the Working Families Party.
