Medicaid cuts bring protesters to Barrett's Lansing office
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Protesters gathered in front of U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett's Lansing office Thursday to voice their disappointment in his 'yes' vote on the 'one big, beautiful bill.'
In particular, these protesters are not happy that he supported the legislation's cuts to Medicaid. The protest was originally scheduled to ask Rep. Barrett to vote no on the bill, but since he voted overnight on Thursday, though, the protesters shared their reactions instead, chanting things like 'Shame on Barrett.' Greta Dewolf shared why she wants the federal government to keep its hands off of health care.
'It is important to provide mental health and health care.' Dewolf continued, 'It's a right, not a privilege.'
The protester said that Medicaid was crucial for her while she was a single mother pursuing a college degree.
'Some bad things happened to me. I got on welfare, and Medicaid was fundamental in providing that health care to give me a leg up, as well as my children,' said Dewolf.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said that cuts to the program could terminate more than 700,000 Michiganders' health care. Rep. Barrett said that these cuts would 'strengthen Medicaid's integrity' by preserving it for the people who need it most.
Protesters in front of his office Thursday, like Carol Clyde, said lawmakers who voted yes to the bill are not looking at the bigger picture.
'Even people who are not on Medicare or Medicaid will be affected,' said Clyde.
Clyde said that through her 26 years working in health care, she has seen how much hospitals rely on Medicaid.
'Even larger hospital systems are going to have to cut back because they won't have the income they've had before.' Clyde continued, 'What are you cutting health care for?'
Rep. Barrett said the cuts would remove recipients who are ineligible from the program. There would also be a requirement for some recipients in order to qualify for the program. People would have to work or volunteer at least 80 hours a month to get Medicaid. This would have to be verified twice a year.
'There are some people that are unable to work, what are we going to do with that?' asked Dewolf.
There are some exceptions to the requirement, but either way, the protesters said there should not be extra hoops to jump through when it comes to receiving health care.
'There's nothing beautiful about this bill. Not one single thing,' Clyde said.
If the bill passes, it would take effect in 2029, and monetary cuts would happen over ten years.
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