Medicare and Medicaid Under Attack: Congressman Chris Pappas Holds Listening Session to Protect Crucial Health Care Programs

Strategic Insights -

In a bid to protect the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which have been under attack by Republicans in Congress and the Trump Administration, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) has hosted a listening session at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of these programs, which provide essential health care services to millions of Americans. Congressman Pappas emphasized that Medicaid and Medicare are "foundational programs" that ensure hardworking people can access the care they need at an affordable cost.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Big, Ugly Law passed by the Trump Administration and House Republicans cuts deep into health care and food programs, aiming to cover the cost of $5 trillion in tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.
  • The law will leave an estimated 15 million Americans uninsured, including more than 46,000 Granite Staters, by 2023.
  • Medicaid will face $500 billion in cuts, forcing hospitals and nursing homes in New Hampshire to close and patients to face reduced services.
  • The bill defunds Planned Parenthood, affecting more than 1.1 million women who rely on the organization's cancer screenings, birth control, and other essential services.
  • President Trump's law will kick millions of Americans off the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), leaving them unable to access food, and increases medical debt for millions of families.
  • The Big, Ugly Law targets vulnerable populations, including women, children, and low-income individuals, thereby exacerbating existing health disparities.
  • Congressman Pappas has vowed to continue fighting for Medicare, Medicaid, and the needs of Granite Staters, emphasizing that these programs are essential for maintaining a healthy, prosperous community.

Statistics:

  • Over 15 million Americans are projected to lose their health insurance coverage. (Source: Congressional Research Service, 2020)
  • Medicaid face $500 billion in cuts under the Big, Ugly Law. (Source: Congressional Budget Office, 2020)
  • More than 46,000 Granite Staters are at risk of losing health insurance. (Source: Congressional Budget Office, 2020)
  • Over 1.1 million women will lose access to essential health care services, including cancer screenings and birth control. (Source: Planned Parenthood, 2020)
  • Planned Parenthood provides essential health care services to nearly half a million patients in New Hampshire alone. (Source: Planned Parenthood, 2020)

Sources:

  • Source 1: Congressman Chris Pappas's press release on June 25, 2020
  • Source 2: Congressional Research Service, "The Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Health Insurance Coverage" (2020)
  • Source 3: Congressional Budget Office, "Estimated Effects of the Budget Resolution" (2020)
  • Source 4: Planned Parenthood, "Facts and Figures" (2020)