More than 1 million low-income Americans have lost or will soon lose government-subsidized healthcare, recent reports estimate, as states slash funding to contain spiraling deficits caused largely by cuts in federal funding.
Forty-seven million Americans nationwide receive Medicaid, the federal/state health care program for the poor and disabled. About two percent of those–children, seniors and low-wage workers–will lose their healthcare due to the cuts. The defunding will also mean further overcrowding and closures of hospitals and clinics and increased strain on the medical emergency infrastructure.
But there’s still time to demand an end to this insanity. Congress can prevent these cuts by passing a budget resolution that sends increased federal tax dollars to the states specifically to protect essential healthcare. And you can help by joining the SEIU’s Put Families First All Call Day. Contact your elected legislators on WEDNESDAY MAY 7. (Click here for contact info or call toll-free at 1-888-280-6279.) Let your reps know know that working families in your state need Congress to pass a budget with sufficient Medicaid funding. This is a political battle that can be won.
