Community Catalyst Applauds President Biden for Continuing to Oppose House Passed Plan to Gut Medicaid in Debt Ceiling Negotiations
“Our message to Congress is clear: No cuts to Medicaid.” —Emily Stewart
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2023
Contact: Jack Cardinal, (781) 960-5208, jcardinal@communitycatalyst.org
Today, as President Biden and congressional leaders meet on the debt ceiling, Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst, issued the following statement:
“We applaud President Biden for making clear over the weekend, and again yesterday, that he will oppose the House passed plan to cut Medicaid as part of the debt ceiling negotiations.
“Health care is no longer affordable for most people in America. Taking Medicaid away from tens of millions of people and families with low-incomes will only make matters worse at a time of great economic uncertainty, and that harms us all.
“No one should have to exhaust their life savings, their retirement accounts, or lose their housing because they got sick. The cuts proposed would lead to more long term costs, more uninsured families who won’t be able to get quality health care, and more medical debt.
“It is shameful and wrong that some are willing to hold our economy hostage to advance an agenda to take health care away from millions of people. Our message to Congress is clear: No cuts to Medicaid.”
Backed by a broad coalition of local, state and national partners, Community Catalyst is calling on members of Congress to stand firmly against any cuts to Medicaid that would harm people and families with low-incomes. As a result of discriminatory barriers to economic security, cuts disproportionately impact Black and Latinx communities.
- Jessica has Type 1 diabetes and numerous other health issues. Because of Medicaid, Jessica and her children are able to get the health care they need.
- Debbie is a single mother of four and dedicated her life to taking care of her children, who are now adults. Medicaid has alleviated a lot of worry for Debbie and her family.
- Luckily for Darius, West Virginia Medicaid was there for him as he tried to care for his mother and family situation. Medicaid provided Darius the mental health care coverage, general physical assessments and occasional emergency visits he needed as an adult.
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About Community Catalyst:
Community Catalyst is a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a movement for race equity and health justice. We partner with local, state and national advocates to leverage and build power so all people can influence decisions that affect their health. Health systems will not be accountable to people without a fully engaged and organized community voice. That’s why we work every day to ensure people’s interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and health care are made: in communities, state houses and on Capitol Hill.