ICYMI: Baldwin Hosts Roundtable in Milwaukee on Looming Cuts to Medicaid

MILWAUKEE – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) hosted a roundtable discussion to highlight the dire consequences of Congressional Republicans’ moves to cut Medicaid to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. Senator Baldwin was joined by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and members of the Milwaukee County Commission on Aging to discuss how these cuts jeopardize critical services for seniors. 5.6 million Americans count on Medicaid for their long-term care bills, with Medicaid paying for over half of long-term care in the United States for primarily seniors.

“Republicans are threatening to rip away health care from over one million Wisconsinites on Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. These aren’t just statistics, these are real people who will have their lives upended if they lose their health care. Today, I was able to hear how devastating this would be for our seniors in Milwaukee,” said Senator Baldwin. “Medicaid is the lifeline that provides health care for 8 million seniors, ensures over 30 million kids can see a doctor and get health care, and helps our rural hospitals keep their doors open.”

“We know that Medicaid is vital for working families across Wisconsin. Any cuts to federal Medicaid funding would have a detrimental impact on the health, safety, and prosperity of folks in Milwaukee County,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “I’m grateful that Senator Tammy Baldwin is fighting for our residents, families, and children every single day. Let’s continue working together to protect the quality, affordable health care that Wisconsinites need.”

Republicans are planning deep cuts to Medicaid that will jeopardize the coverage of 72 million Americans, or 1 in 5 people living in the United States who use Medicaid. This includes nearly half of all children, 31.5 million, over 8.3 million seniors, and around 15 million people with disabilities. Medicaid also pays for 6 out of 10 of residents in nursing homes, with 5.6 million Americans counting on Medicaid for their long-term care bills and Medicaid paying for over half of long-term care in the United States. Severe cuts to Medicaid will also jeopardize rural hospitals and clinics’ ability to keep their doors open. Over 12 million rural Americans rely on Medicaid for health care.

In Wisconsin, over 1.2 million people are enrolled in Medicaid. About 1 in 3 children in Wisconsin’s rural and metro communities have Medicaid coverage. More than 300,000 kids under age 19 are members of BadgerCare Plus or another Wisconsin Medicaid program.

Republicans released a budget blueprint that directed the committee with jurisdiction over Medicaid to find $880 billion in cuts for their upcoming budget to pay for tax breaks for the super-wealthy and large corporations. Last week, President Trump endorsed that blueprint. As Republicans move forward with their legislation, their plans to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid will jeopardize care for individuals with autism, seniors seeking long-term care, low- and middle-class children, and Americans who rely on rural hospitals. Republicans also rejected Democrats’ repeated attempts last week to protect Medicaid from being cut to fund billionaire tax breaks.

###