For Immediate Release:
Thursday, February 20, 2025

Contact:
Jack Cardinal, jcardinal@communitycatalyst.org

Those harmed most include older adults in long-term care, children, people with disabilities, as well as families with low incomes

Recording Available Upon Request

WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Thursday, Feb. 20, a coalition of national and state experts, caregivers, and advocates convened for a virtual press conference to address the devastating consequences of proposed cuts to Medicaid. The House Budget Resolution includes nearly $900 billion in reductions, with broader proposals calling for cuts of up to $2.5 trillion over the next decade—a move that could strip affordable health care from millions of older adults in long-term care, children, people with disabilities, and families with low incomes.

Speakers shared personal stories, data-driven insights, and actionable steps to protect Medicaid, emphasizing that these cuts are rushed, harmful, and deeply unpopular. Advocates stress that gutting Medicaid won’t just hurt individuals; it will increase medical debt, strain hospitals, and raise health care costs for everyone.

Why This Matters:

  • Massive Impact: The proposed cuts would slash Medicaid funding by one-third over the next 10 years, endangering care for older adults, children, people with disabilities, and workers with low incomes.
  • Economic Fallout: Without Medicaid, many will rely on costly emergency care, driving up health care expenses for all.
  • Public Opposition: Research shows voters across the political spectrum oppose cuts to Medicaid, recognizing it as a vital lifeline.
  • Community Strain: Cuts will weaken local hospitals, disrupt care for veterans, and force families into impossible choices.

Call to Action:
Speakers urged Congress to reject these harmful cuts and prioritize policies that strengthen Medicaid rather than dismantle it. 

  • For Advocates and Constituents: Call your members of Congress today and demand they reject these harmful cuts to Medicaid (866-426-2631). Share your story, organize community events, and use social media to amplify the message that health care is a right, not a privilege. Use the hashtag #ProtectMedicaid to join the conversation.
  • For Policymakers: Protect the millions of people who rely on Medicaid. Reject rushed, harmful cuts that will hurt families, older adults, and people with disabilities. Focus on solutions that strengthen the program and improve access to affordable, quality health care. Your constituents are watching—and they are counting on you to do the right thing.

Participant Statements: 

“Let’s be very clear: Every proposal to cut, cap, or make other harmful changes to Medicaid is a threat to the health and well-being of our communities and millions of families,” said Nicole Jorwic, Chief of Advocacy and Campaigns, Caring Across Generations. “We oppose every proposed attack because they all will result in disabled people, older adults, kids, parents, and people with low-incomes losing their health care and their aging and disability care. We’ve saved Medicaid before and we will do it again.”

“Medicaid helps fund home and community based services. That means disabled children and disabled adults can live in the setting of their choice surrounded by their loved ones receiving the care they need. Medicaid also helps fund therapy services at schools so that disabled students can learn and thrive,” said Elena Hung, Executive Director and Co-founder, Little Lobbyists. “It wasn’t that long ago that a disabled child like mine would have been automatically institutionalized and kept away from her family and away from her community, just for being disabled … Disabled people – both kids and adults – risk being institutionalized when they cannot get the care they need at home.” 

“The care I’ve provided my client the last 18 years has helped him stay at home and thrive,” said Wanda Carroll Russell, a home care worker of Hatfield, Penn. and member of United Home Care Workers of Pennsylvania/SEIU. “If Congress slashes funding and he loses his Medicaid, he would lose the ability to live at home and would likely lose his house altogether. For me, I’d lose my job and I’d no longer be able to help him in the way he needs.”

“While lawmakers may claim that Medicaid cuts won’t hurt seniors, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Medicaid, not Medicare, is the primary payer of long-term care at home and in nursing facilities. Medicaid also pays for Medicare premiums and other Medicare costs,” said Amber Christ, Managing Director of Health Advocacy, Justice in Aging. “So cuts to Medicaid are cuts to Medicare and would strip this essential coverage from the 7 million seniors who depend on the program, leaving them unable to afford the care they need.” 

“Medicaid matters. And so do the lives of millions of patients—like me—who depend on it,” said DeAnna Brandon, blood cancer patient and advocate, North Carolina. “To rip health care away from those who need it most is cruel—and will cost patients their emotional and financial wellbeing—and perhaps even their lives.”

“This is a five-alarm fire for not just Medicaid which provides care and coverage for 80 million Americans, but for the health care system we all rely on. Even if you aren’t on Medicaid, a massive cut to Medicaid will certainly impact the hospitals, clinics, and whole health system in your area, which would lead to scaled back or closed services for everyone,” said Anthony Wright, Executive Director of Families USA. “No one campaigned or voted for cuts to the ACA or Medicaid — President Trump disavowed them and still does to this day. If Americans voted for anything, it’s more affordability for basic services like health care, not shifting more costs onto them. We need everyone, from advocates to frontline health care workers to families throughout the country, to call Congress now and demand hands off Medicaid.”


“Cuts to Medicaid are cuts to people’s health and economic security,” said Mona Shah, Senior Director of Policy and Strategy at Community Catalyst. “At a time when health care costs are already crushing too many families, these cuts would push millions off their coverage, forcing people to delay care, go without critical medications, or rack up medical debt just to see a doctor. Congress should be working to lower costs and expand access—not take it away.”

# # #