Rep. Barbara Hernandez Condemns Federal Cuts to Medicaid to Fund Tax Cuts for the Rich

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, condemned the Trump Administration’s proposed sweeping cuts to Medicaid and other healthcare assistance measures to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy with her support of a formal resolution opposing these cuts and calling on the United States Senate to immediately table the measure.

“Medicaid is more than a support program or grant framework, it’s the basis for survival for millions of Americans. The drastic cuts to Medicaid proposed in this federal budget will directly result in countless preventable deaths, and indirectly result in new financial struggles for millions more working families across the country,” Hernandez said. “Prescription rationing, giving up regular visits to the doctor, living with untreated chronic illnesses; losing Medicaid coverage is going to force people in communities throughout Illinois to forego the benefits of modern medicine in favor drastic moneysaving steps.”

Hernandez has made affordable healthcare her chief issue during her time in the House of Representatives. She put her support behind House Resolution 391, which condemns the new federal budget that will curtail or cut healthcare coverage for millions of Americans. It also calls on the U.S. Senate to table this bill and pursue reforms similar to Illinois’ Healthcare Protection Act.

“The reality that the tragic suffering brought on by these cuts is paying for a massive tax cut for the super wealthy is even more shameful,” Hernandez said. “Working families, seniors, everyone who depends on Medicaid deserves better than what the proposed federal budget is delivering.”