Michiganders to Tom Barrett: “What Are You Cutting Health Care For?” [WLNS]

WLNS: “Protesters are not happy that [Barrett] supported the legislation’s cuts to Medicaid”

Tom Barrett cast the deciding vote for the House Republican tax scam to slash Medicaid and jeopardize health care for tens of thousands of people in MI-07 – and, in a phrase, Michiganders “are not happy.”

Barrett now faces backlash after jeopardizing tens of thousands of his constituents’ health care to pay for tax breaks for billionaires, all while middle class Michiganders foot the bill.

See for yourself:

WLNS: Medicaid cuts bring protesters to Barrett’s Lansing office

• 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.
• The protester said that Medicaid was crucial for her while she was a single mother pursuing a college degree.
• Governor Gretchen Whitmer said that cuts to the program could terminate more than 700,000 Michiganders’ health care. 
• 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?”

The Gander: Michigan Republicans pass bill to carve out tax breaks for the wealthy atop health care cuts

• Roughly 750,000 Michiganders are set to lose access to their healthcare coverage under Republican-led legislation approved Thursday morning in the US House.
• In a razor-thin, 215-214 vote after an all-night session, US House Republicans passed a sprawling tax and spending package that delivers large tax breaks to the wealthy while slashing funds for essential programs like Medicaid and food assistance.
• Now, hundreds of thousands of Michiganders who rely on Medicaid are at risk of losing their health care—and millions more could soon face reduced access and lower-quality care.
• All seven of Michigan’s Republican members of Congress voted in favor of President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which extends and expands Trump-era tax cuts while cutting health coverage for low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, and pregnant women.
• Under the proposed changes, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that about 3 million people would lose access to their SNAP food stamps benefits nationwide.
• Medicaid currently covers about 2.6 million Michiganders—roughly one in four residents—including three in five nursing home patients, nearly half of all births, and 300,000 people with disabilities, according to data provided by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office.
• The proposed cuts would gut a key source of funding for nursing homes, hospitals, and providers—especially in rural areas, where more than 60% of births are covered by Medicaid.
• The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation will add $3.8 trillion to the national debt over the decade, with most of the benefits flowing to the wealthiest Americans.
• For Michiganders making less than $51,000 a year, the bill would result in a net loss of about $700 in annual after-tax income beginning in 2026, the New York Times reported. Those near or below the poverty line would lose closer to $1,000 a year. Meanwhile, the top 0.1% of earners—those making more than $4.3 million annually—would gain nearly $400,000 a year.

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