“In voting for this bill, Kiggans didn’t just vote for a budget, she voted to dismantle lifelines for families such as mine”
Vulnerable Republican Jen Kiggans spent weeks promising Virginians that she would not vote to gut Medicaid, only to turn her back and vote for the largest cuts to Medicaid in history. Now, she is facing heat from her own constituents.
Newcolumns written by Kiggans’ own constituents slam the congresswoman after she “voted to dismantle lifelines for families” and “gambled with our lives.”
U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans recently defended her vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. However, there are many ugly truths about this legislation that negatively impact the poor and turn a blind eye to the needs of the most vulnerable populations.
It is estimated that more than 300,000 Virginians will lose their health insurance, and around 50,000 Virginians will lose at least some of their food assistance, including kids who will lose access to school meals.
She also acknowledged that the bill “isn’t perfect” and that passing legislation “isn’t about always getting everything you want.” The law’s imperfections will cost many Virginians the health care they depend upon while giving them almost nothing they want.
Kiggans claims that she was standing firm on her values and delivering real results for the people she served. But what can those values possibly be and what real results will be delivered to anyone below the top income quintile?
Virginia deserves a representative who instead will hold true to the values of integrity, inclusion and justice.
When U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans voted to support the bill under the guise of “efficiency,” she gambled with our lives. Thousands in our region are now left wondering whether their care will survive the cuts. I visited Kiggans’ office in Washington, D.C., this summer and was told by her staff that she would not support measures such as these. That was a lie.
Because of Medicaid, my son has had access to critical services such as pediatric care and speech therapy. Cuts to services that support neurodivergent children have already taken effect, and with the school year less than a month away, families are bracing themselves for how that lack of support will affect their kids.
If we care about building a future where every child can thrive, regardless of ZIP code or income, then we must protect Medicaid. In voting for this bill, Kiggans didn’t just vote for a budget, she voted to dismantle lifelines for families such as mine.
