MADISON, WI – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin discussed the importance of Medicaid at a roundtable in Madison, WI. Joining the Senator were six Wisconsinites who would be directly impacted by the Republican budget plan that calls for slashing at least $880 billion from Medicaid to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and big corporations.
Despite GOP claims to the contrary, The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has confirmed that these tax breaks are not feasible without significant cuts to Medicaid, which would result in millions losing coverage, including children, new moms, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Americans across party lines oppose cuts to funding for health care programs like Medicaid, and new polling finds that a majority of Americans think the government should spend more on health care — not less.
“This week, I’ve been traveling across the state to talk with families about what’s at stake as Republicans work overtime to terminate their health care and rip the rug out from under them,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “The bottom line is clear – people are really scared, and sadly, they have good reason to be. Republicans plan to slash Medicaid so they can fund their tax breaks for people like Elon Musk is wrong – and I am proud to stand with Wisconsinites and fight back.”
Participants in the conversation utilize a broad range of Medicaid services for themselves, children, or aging parents. Claims of wanting to eliminate “waste, fraud and abuse” from the program as an excuse to cut the program were greeted with scoffs from firsthand experience navigating a system that requires regular reporting and documentation to maintain eligibility for services that allow individuals with disabilities to life independently, for example.
Chad Sobieck has been on Medicaid throughout his life, relying on the long-term care waiver through FamilyCare which allows him to live independently. “Without these services I would be in a nursing home, I wouldn’t be able to live independently,” he says. “I would like to remain independent as long as possible.”
Krisjon and her husband both work, and have health insurance, but require additional support for their child’s care due to a developmental disability – when their insurance won’t cover needed care for their daughter they rely on what is known as the Katie Beckett waiver, a Medicaid program.
Kathy Seiler is a senior citizen who is only able to remain in her home due to the support that Medicaid provides. She receives some in-home care following an accident and knows that moving in to a nursing home would ultimately be more expensive than she and her husband remaining in their home on a fixed income. “I don’t know what I’d do without Medicaid,” says Seiler.
For more information about these stories and those of other participants concerned about the devastating effects of slashing Medicaid please contact Protect Our Care Wisconsin.
