Ford Voices Strong Opposition to Republican Attacks on Healthcare, Expresses Concern on Impact to Vulnerable Communities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, is backing an Illinois House Resolution opposing Washington Republicans and President Donald Trump for their recent vote to strip healthcare coverage from 14 million Americans.

“I stand firmly against these cuts that will disproportionately harm our most vulnerable citizens, particularly seniors in nursing homes, individuals struggling with substance use disorders and people experiencing homelessness,” Ford said. “I’m proud to support and cosponsor House Resolution 391, and I remain deeply committed to advocating for the health and well-being of our communities.

“My dedication to improving healthcare access is highlighted by my strong support for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and my efforts to initiate early enrollment for preventive care under the County Care program in Cook County,” Ford said. “This initiative has saved countless lives and significantly improved health outcomes, particularly in preventing strokes and heart attacks. We cannot afford to return to the days when our healthcare system relied heavily on emergency room care—an approach that is both costly and detrimental to public health. “The repercussions of this Republican attack will be devastating, threatening to deprive nearly half a million Illinois residents of their essential healthcare coverage,” Ford said. “The proposed cuts amount to $1 trillion from Medicaid and other crucial services over the next decade, inflicting severe consequences on our healthcare system and society. This legislation will cause irreparable damage to our safety net hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).”

Ford is highlighting those who will be impacted by federal cuts, including:

– Seniors in nursing homes: Cuts will compromise the quality of care for seniors, potentially leading to
preventable health conditions such as strokes and heart attacks.

– Individuals with substance use disorders and homelessness: Many who rely on Medicaid for
addiction treatment and rehabilitation will find themselves without the necessary support, exacerbating
the already dire crisis of substance abuse and homelessness in our communities.

– Individuals with Chronic Health Conditions: The loss of coverage will hinder the management of
chronic conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, pushing individuals toward emergency
rooms. This will ultimately result in unmanageable healthcare costs that burden taxpayers by costing
billions.

House Resolution 391 also outlines the economic ramifications of Washington’s actions, noting that funding cuts to healthcare are a misguided approach to financing tax breaks for the wealthy. An analysis by the Yale