Protests over proposed Medicaid cuts held at Rep. Wied’s office: ‘We’re being put at risk’

Gerner’s son has a disability and is helped by Medicaid. It’s just one example of the nearly 80 million Americans who would see their health care coverage threatened if cuts are made.

Republican lawmakers said the cuts would help stop careless spending.

“We’re being blamed for being a waste, and not only is that hurtful, it’s completely untrue,” Gerner said.

The $880 billion Medicaid program is mostly funded by federal taxpayers. Republicans are floating an idea to tie work to Medicaid, saying it could motivate people to find employment which offers health care.

Rep. Wied said in a statement:

I was sent to Washington by the people of Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District to put an end to reckless federal spending that is bankrupting future generations. It’s vitally important that we right-size welfare programs to reduce fraud and abuse while keeping them solvent for those truly in need.

Protesters argue the amount of Medicaid fraud that actually takes place is miniscule.

“There are so many levels of checks and balances to make sure that it is a well-run program that gets to the people who really need it, and I hope that our elected officials will think about all of those things when they make this decision,” Lynn Meshke said.

Democrats say cutting Medicaid will also negatively impact rural hospitals and nursing homes. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, along with several other lawmakers, held a press conference Wednesday, saying the nation’s most vulnerable will be hurt most.

“To give tax breaks to billionaires, they are taking away your health care so that rich people don’t have to pay their fair share,” Baldwin said.

It’s not clear when or if cuts to Medicaid will happen.