Latest news with #TammyDuckworth
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Duckworth warns Medicaid cuts will impact 60,000 people in Peoria County
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The Senate budget bill would kick 60,000 people in Peoria County off Medicaid, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) said at a Thursday press conference with local health care advocates and Medicaid recipients about the consequences of Medicaid cuts. The Senate's version of the budget bill, released Monday, includes even deeper cuts to Medicaid than the House bill. It imposes stiffer work requirements, while the House version provided some exemptions. 'We are, again, at a tipping point where the health and even the lives of millions of Americans are at risk because President Trump and his heartless Republican cronies. Make no mistake, there's no way to fund Trump's $4 trillion in tax cuts for the billionaire class without putting it on the backs of Americans who are already struggling to pay the bills,' said Duckworth. In the state of Illinois, 3.4 million people depend on Medicaid, including nearly 60,000 people in Peoria County. One of those recipients is Dallas Anne Prentice from Chillicothe, a stay-at-home mom with rare genetic disabilities that prevent her from working. Her prescriptions would cost $2,000 without Medicaid. Right now, she pays $40 a month. She said losing her Medicaid benefits would be a death sentence. 'So the consequences are quite literally, I die. I require my medication and my regular health care to be able to simply function, to get out of bed in the morning. And if I lose my health care, my children lose their mother. I am telling you with all honesty, without Medicaid, I wouldn't be alive today. That's not an exaggeration,' she said. The Senate budget bill also caps Medicaid reimbursements to states, which would then have to pick up the tab. In rural areas like Peoria County, Duckworth said Medicaid covers more than 50% of services. 'So, for states that like Illinois, for example, we were the first state in the country that extended post-natal care for a year. We would have to fund 100% of that, when that was more of a matching with the federal government. And so it's a way to push the costs onto the states, which the states can't fund without saying, oh, we're cutting post-natal care,' said Duckworth. Tracy Warner is, executive director of Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network, which represents 60 small and rural hospitals across the state. She said three in four patients at these hospitals depend on Medicaid or Medicare. 'For these hospitals, Medicaid is not a side issue; it's a lifeline. When Medicaid funding is cut, the impact is immediate and painful. More than 40% of rural hospitals in Illinois are operating at a financial loss. These hospitals are already facing low reimbursement rates, workforce shortages, and rising costs,' she said. Medicaid cuts will push these rural hospitals even further into financial distress, Warner said. Hospitals will be forced to make difficult decisions like cutting services and jobs, which will also impact people who are not on Medicaid. 'That ripple does not stop at hospital doors. When a rural hospital cuts services, local jobs are affected, small businesses lose customers, and patients are forced to travel even longer distances for basic care,' she said. 'So that compounding impact, especially on a rural communities, is very real and very significant to the extent that it will be absolutely devastating not only for health care and health care access, but our economies across the state and across the country as well,' added Duckworth. U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) sent a statement to WMBD defending Medicaid cuts in response to Duckworth's presser. 'House Republicans are focused on strengthening and investing in Medicaid for those who need it most by ensuring the program continues to provide high-quality patient care for expectant mothers, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. To protect Medicaid for future generations, we must establish a common-sense approach to address waste, fraud, and abuse. House Republicans have taken a scalpel approach by enacting work requirements for the 4.8 million able-bodied adults without dependents who are choosing not to work and removing 1.4 million illegal immigrants from the program. I remain committed to supporting rural and underserved communities and prioritizing care for our nation's most vulnerable populations.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
19 hours ago
- CBS News
1 year since Chicago woman, Taylor Casey, went missing in the Bahamas and still no answers
It's been one year since Taylor Casey, a Chicago woman, disappeared from a yoga retreat in the Bahamas. There are still no answers in the case. Casey, then 42, was in the middle of a month-long yoga retreat near Paradise Island when she stopped showing up for classes. She was last seen on June 19, 2024. In July, Casey's family asked the FBI to take over the search from the authorities in the Bahamas, saying they were "not satisfied with how this investigation has been handled thus far." U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth's office and the U.S. Embassy also joined the efforts in assistance. Last week, Duckworth's office released the following statement: "Senator Duckworth and her office have been monitoring this heartbreaking situation for the last year. They continue to work closely with relevant federal agencies and push the Royal Bahamas Police Force to be as communicative and transparent as possible. Senator Duckworth and her office will continue to coordinate with Ms. Casey's family to help in any way they can." Last Friday, Peter Goudie, a spokesperson for the yoga retreat from which Casey disappeared, said there is "nothing more we can do." Goudie added, "police did everything they could." He also said the FBI and the International Criminal Police Organization responded as well. Casey's family believed search efforts have been marred by prejudice because Casey is a transgender woman. She has been a fixture in Chicago's transgender community and a youth advocate for decades. Casey's family is offering a $10,000 reward for any information on her disappearance. A Facebook group called "Find Taylor Casey" has remained active this year. Group organizers posted events in April and May, "A Day with Taylor." The Zoom events featured performances, yoga sessions, and storytelling. Phone recovered from the water In July, authorities in the Bahamas said they recovered Taylor's iPhone. Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said that, during a June 22 search, a dog picked up a scent from a tent and tracked it to the water, but the scent ended there. They subsequently located a phone under roughly 56 feet of water. Investigators in the Bahamas asked American authorities for help unlocking the phone. Authorities also reviewed surveillance footage from around the island, but there was "no information to connect at this time," the police commissioner added. "Find Taylor Casey" Facebook group organizers posted on April 9, "The police in the Bahamas have not yet released Taylor's phone or phone records." It is unclear which authorities are in possession of the phone at this time. Missing woman's mother seeking answers In an interview just three months after her daughter's disappearance, Casey's mother, Colette Seymore, said that something seemed "off" with her daughter before she vanished. "I talked to Taylor on June 18th. Taylor had called me and mentioned to me it was hard, it was hard at the yoga retreat," she said. "Something was off, I don't know if Taylor didn't want to alarm me, but I just felt like something was off." Seymore reported her daughter missing, but said when she first arrived in the Bahamas to speak to investigators, she said she did not see a single missing persons flyer for her daughter. "They were just really nonchalant and just not acting like it was their child missing," she said. "I had to return home without her. This is every mother's worst nightmare." Seymore said her visit only left her with more questions than answers. CBS News Chicago has reached out to Casey's family for an update on the investigation.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This Former Marine's Response To Donald Trump's Military Parade Is Going Viral
Ahead of Donald Trump's parade this past weekend, which was meant to celebrate the military's 250th anniversary (as well as, perhaps, his birthday), talk show host Bill Maher asked former Marine Corps officer and US Representative Seth Moulton for his thoughts on the spectacle. In a now-viral clip from HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, Maher asks Rep. Moulton, "As a veteran, what is your reaction to Trump's plans for a military parade?" HBO / Twitter: @RpsAgainstTrump His response had the studio audience bursting into laughter and applause. Related: Well, Well, Well, For The Second Time In 2 Weeks, People Are Letting JD Vance Know EXACTLY How They Feel About Him In Public "He's a draft dodger," Moulton said. "It's his first military thing he really gets to do." Moulton isn't the first to refer to Trump as a "draft dodger." Democratic Senator and Purple Heart recipient Tammy Duckworth previously referred to the 79-year-old as "Cadet Bone Spurs" as she spoke on Trump's previous politicization of the military. These critiques stem from a young Trump receiving not one, not two, not even three or four, but five military draft deferments during the Vietnam War. One of these deferments, according to the New York Times, was due to heel spurs, which left him unfit for active duty. This diagnosis reportedly came from a friend of his fathers. Related: "Let Them Eat Teslas": People At The "No Kings" Protests This Weekend Brought Signs That Were So Clever I'm Still Laughing About Them Continuing his point, Moulton delivered another jab: "Obviously, he likes Putin, he worships Kim Jong Un, he wants to be like that. He wants to be a dictator like those guys, and they have big military parades." Further, the representative considered the single-day parade's hefty price tag, which officials estimate to land somewhere between $25 and $40 million. "That could help a lot of vets," he said with a shrug as CNN anchor Jake Tapper chimed in with suggestions about how the money could have been diverted to Veterans Affairs offices to help vets directly. In response to the segment, some were quick to insist, "One veteran's words don't reflect the views of all veterans." Others, however, applauded Moulton's words. "Hell yes!" one person wrote. "Call it what it is — a coward who dodged service now wants to cosplay as a strongman? Disgraceful and dangerous." But what are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments. Also in In the News: This Conservative Said He Wears A Fake ICE Uniform For A Really, Really, Really Gross Reason Also in In the News: "Honestly Speechless At How Evil This Is": 26 Brutal, Brutal, Brutal Political Tweets Of The Week Also in In the News: This Dem Lawmaker Is Going Viral For His Extremely Shady Question To Secretary Kristi Noem
NBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Sen. Tammy Duckworth: Trump ‘needs to come to Congress right away' if he plans to strike Iran
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, joins Meet the Press NOW as President Trump weighs whether to directly involve the U.S. in the Israel-Iran 18, 2025
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Two in three Americans oppose using tax money for military parade: poll
A new survey from the NBC Decision Desk Poll, powered by Survey Monkey, showed that 64 percent of Americans disapprove of the use of state funds for this weekend's military parade. On Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m., 150 vehicles, 50 aircraft and 6,600 soldiers will parade the street of Washington, D.C., to mark the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, which also coincides with President Trump's 79th birthday. Depending on the weather, there could also be an air show. The celebration is estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million taxpayer dollars, according to the Army. The price also includes potential damage to public spaces caused by tanks driving on the streets. Overall, 88 percent of Democrats and 72 percent of Independents disapprove of the use of government funds, while 68 percent of Republicans support it. Within the Republican party, the MAGA faction approves up to 75 percent while more moderate Republicans approve at 56 percent. The question the poll asked respondents was: 'As you may know, President Trump has ordered a military parade in Washington D.C. on June 14th to commemorate the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday. Defense officials estimate the cost for this parade could be as much as 45 million dollars. Do you support or oppose the use of government funds for the parade?' Respondents were asked whether they supported or opposed, moderately or strongly. Fourteen percent of adults say they strongly support federal funding for the parade. In contrast, 44 percent say they strongly oppose it. Twenty-two percent say they somewhat support it compared to 20 percent who say they are somewhat opposed. The poll was conducted from May 30 to June 10 among 19,4100 adults nationwide. The margin of error stands at plus or minus 2.1 percent. An Associated Press-NORC Center of Public Affairs Research survey also confirmed that 60 percent of Americans said the parade was 'not a good use of government funds.' Democrats have had strong reactions to the parade. 'If it was really about celebrating military families, we could put $30 million toward helping them offset the cost of their child care, food assistance and tuition,' said Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) on X on June 5. 'We all like to enjoy a nice birthday party. But most of us don't celebrate with a $45 million taxpayer-funded military parade,' Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on X. This demonstration of force also contrasts with Trump's deployment of 4,000 members of the National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to squall protests over immigration raids. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
