The U.S. Congress must reject Republicans’ plans to cut a devastating $880 billion from our nation’s cherished Medicaid program. Medicaid is an essential health care program for more than 72 million Americans, including children, families, seniors, new parents, people with disabilities, and low-income people across the country.

Medicaid makes up 30 percent of state budgets, meaning cuts to federal support would force every state to make impossible choices: Slash health care for those who need it most or gut other core programs that states fund. This health care program allows families to stay healthy and financially stable, keeps our state budgets steady, and keeps the doors of the hospitals that we ALL depend on open.

The impact of these massive cuts would be far-reaching, further disrupting the economy and care in all communities across all life-stages: Nearly half of the nation’s births; approximately 62 percent of long-term care residents in nursing homes; and one in three people with disabilities get the care they need through Medicaid. Plus, Medicaid cuts are deeply unpopular. 88% of voters are against cutting federal funding for Medicaid!

I urge you to join me in telling Congress: Hands off Medicaid!

RevaBeth Russell

Springville