Protestors gather outside U.S. Senator Ron Johnson's office on Wednesday to protest potential cuts to Medicaid. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Tuesday, in an effort to cut back federal funding, the U.S. House passed the Trump-backed budget resolution. The blueprint has $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in spending cuts.
That includes $880 billion dollars in cuts to the Commerce and Energy Committee, which oversees programs like Medicaid.
Representative Tony Wied voted for the bill Tuesday night, and has addressed concerns about the program.
“I would never be in favor of cutting benefits to those who need it and there are those that need it, certainly in our district. It doesn’t call for that. Right now all we’ve done is unlock the potential to look into waste fraud and abuse throughout the Medicare system I think there are things within the cost that can be done but certainly anyone that’s on Medicaid that needs it. . . people that truly need it, that would not change and nor would I support that in taking away those benefits.”
Before the bill heads to the Senate for approval, constituents gathered Wednesday outside Senator Ron Johnson’s Oshkosh office, to express Medicaid’s value to them.
“It keeps them healthy, it keeps them engaged in their community, for our family, I have a son with severe developmental disabilities. Medicaid helps keep him in his home and out of an institution,” says organizer Lynn Meche of Brown County.
“I did work in a governmental nursing home for 12 years and most of the individuals who lived there paid with Medicaid. I just can’t imagine what is going to happen to these people,” says Meg O’Brian.
The group shared stories and expressed their fear and concern over the potential cuts in hopes of getting a message across to the senator before he votes.
In a statement, Johnson responded to the protestors saying:
It is difficult to respond to complaints and protests that have no basis in truth or fact. It is unfortunate that Democrat elected officials are lying to their supporters regarding the Senate Budget Resolution and encouraging them to take to the “streets.” I sincerely hope their actions do not result in violence. My primary goal is to keep my Wisconsin staff safe while enabling them to continue dedicating their efforts to help constituents.
“I’m offended that he would ever imply that any of us would be violent, we come to this from a place of love. We love our individuals and our families who are dependent on Medicaid, I guess I’m really just offended by that, and I feel like that’s gaslighting.”
Organizers like Lynn have a message for Johnson.
“I would tell him to have a town hall, invite people, and meet them face to face to talk about what Medicaid means to them,” she says. “And secondly, don’t gaslight the community because those of us who know about Medicaid and have done our research know for a fact that fraud waste and abuse isn’t a justification for these cuts, and we know these folks are dependent on Medicaid and you need to hear their stories and respect their life experiences and stand up for them. We’re your constituents, we expect you to be standing up for us in Washington.”
The budget resolution now goes before several House committees which will work on the details of the package before it heads to the Senate for consideration.
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