WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Republicans in the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees voted along party lines to severely cut Medicaid and blow a hole in America’s health care system in order to provide bigger tax benefits to billionaires and big corporations.

The House Republican plan would take health care away from millions of Americans, including children and seniors in nursing home, as well as people battling cancer or addiction, and working families who don’t receive health care through their employers.  It would result in 10.3 million people losing Medicaid coverage and 7.6 million people going uninsured, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed denounced the Republican plan to cut Medicaid, stating:

“The American people want more people to have health insurance and for it to be more affordable.  Republicans apparently don’t agree and want to whack Medicaid so fewer people have coverage and costs go up.  These Trump inspired cuts will do real harm – pushing seniors out of nursing homes, increasing hospital closures, and denying families access to preventative care.  If you think the emergency room is crowded now, just wait until Trump’s Medicaid cuts happen.  

“These cuts to Medicaid are extremely unpopular, which is why Republicans hope people don’t notice.  I urge citizens to look closely at what Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration are trying to do here.  Get engaged before it is too late. 

“Ensuring the health care system is strong, sustainable, affordable, and accessible to all will do more to save Americans their hard earned money, rather than a few dollars in tax cuts.  Congressional Republicans are trying to jam Medicaid cuts through without people noticing.  Trump Administration officials are trying to incorrectly brand Medicaid, which covers hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders, as ‘welfare.’  It’s not welfare – it’s a lifeline.

“I will continue to sound the alarm and oppose it every step of the way.  We have a long way to go, and together, we can make a difference.  But ordinary people need to speak up and send a message that if Republicans cut Medicaid, they will be held accountable.”