ICYMI: Senator Baldwin Continues “Hands Off Medicaid Tour” in Eau Claire

EAU CLAIRE, WI – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) continued her “Hands Off Medicaid Tour” in Eau Claire, calling out President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans’ plan to slash Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. In Eau Claire, Senator Baldwin was joined by Wisconsinites who shared their stories about how Medicaid helps them and their families afford the care they need to stay healthy. About 152,900 Wisconsinites in Western Wisconsin – or Wisconsin’s 3^rd Congressional District – utilize Medicaid for health care, including 21,600 seniors and 50,000 children.

“Republicans are planning to terminate health care for our neighbors, friends, and loved ones on Medicaid – all to make room in the budget for new tax breaks for big corporations and the wealthiest. In Western Wisconsin, over 150,000 Wisconsinites’ care would be in jeopardy, from low-income children to seniors in nursing homes,” said Senator Baldwin. “Today, I was in Eau Claire to hear exactly what taking away this lifeline would mean for Wisconsinites and send the message loudly and clearly: Hands off Medicaid.”

Senator Baldwin was joined by the following Wisconsinites who shared their stories and appealed to Congressional Republicans to stop their efforts to terminate the health care that keeps them and their families well:

• Adam and Janice Wojak – Fall Creek, WI – Adam and Janice shared the story of their son Chase who was diagnosed with autism at around three years old and uses Wisconsin’s Medicaid programs, which allows him to live at home under the care of his parents rather than in an institutional setting.
• Sharen Warden – Eleva, WI – Sharen shared that her husband is at an assisted living facility after he suffered a massive stroke, and relies on Medicaid. She shared she isn’t sure what they would do without Medicaid.
• Sandra Dye – Eau Claire, WI – Sandra’s son is 30 years old and has been suffering from chronic migraines since he was eight. Medicaid has made it possible for him to get the care that he needs to continue fighting for relief from his symptoms.
• Sharon Dillon – Eau Claire, WI – Sharon cannot afford medications for her chronic illnesses without Medicaid. She also has two adult children with autism that utilize Medicaid for care.

Republicans are planning deep cuts to Medicaid that will jeopardize the coverage of 72 million Americans. In Wisconsin, over 1.2 million are enrolled in Medicaid. About 1 in 3 children in both 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.

Across the country, Medicaid covers 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 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.

The next stops of the “Hands Off Medicaid Tour” include:

• Madison and Racine on Thursday, March 20, 2025
• Waukesha on Friday, March 21, 2025

###