U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) condemned House Republicans’ $880-billion budget cut to Medicaid alongside U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), healthcare providers and community members at Roseland Community Hospital.
Cuts to Medicaid would force the hospital to consider layoffs, service line cuts and even closure. Many of the hospital’s patients rely on Medicaid, similar to more than 300,000 people in Illinois’ 2nd District.
“House Republicans are willing to exchange people’s healthcare for a $4.5-trillion tax break to the wealthy. They are betraying their own constituents and Americans across the country – all because Donald Trump wants more money for Elon Musk and his billionaire friends,” Kelly said. “In the coming weeks and months, they will try to slash Medicaid, and we need to be prepared to push back and show them the American people are not behind them.”
Kelly also invited two community members, including a Medical Assistant at Roseland Community Hospital, to speak on the potential impact of Medicaid cuts to themselves and their own families.
“We need real solutions, not cuts that leave families without options and put people’s health at risk,” said Ikeya Johnson, medical assistant at Roseland Community Hospital. “Medicaid is a lifeline, and it must be protected.”
“Medicaid has proven to be a very important resource needed to help keep me and my loved ones alive,” said Diane Latiker, who is covered by Medicaid.