OPINION: Republican Congress members from Iowan have abandoned their constituents

Despite overwhelming public outcry, Republicans in Congress passed their Big, Ugly Bill, which includes the largest cuts to health care in history. After years of expanding health care coverage and working to eliminate barriers to coverage, GOP Sen. Joni Ernst, and every other Republican Iowa member of Congress, decided that tax breaks to billionaires were more important than keeping their constituents insured and able to see a doctor when they need. 

Here in Iowa, and across the nation, hardworking Americans are bracing for impact after our representatives voted to gut $1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. As a result, 10 to 15 million Americans are expected to have coverage ripped away from them, all to give tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations. The latest estimate shows that at least 113,979 Iowans will lose coverage. The consequences of this bill will be felt for years to come, but some of its worst provisions will take effect in a matter of months. 

A little over two years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was caught early, removed, and followed by four weeks of radiation treatment and ongoing hormonal treatment. Because of this, it is imperative that I keep up with my regular screenings and prescriptions. If I lose insurance, I will lose care. It’s not just the cancer screenings either; it is the trip to urgent care, an unexpected ailment, or a routine flu shot. 

Due to the choices of Iowan representatives, my life is about to change. I currently receive health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange and can afford it thanks to an extended tax credit. When I was laid off at the beginning of the year, I lost my employer-sponsored health insurance. This tax credit, which I depend on, is set to expire at the end of the year. Without it, my monthly premium will be more than my mortgage payment. And this is not a one-off situation. Insurance rates are going up for all Iowans, some could see their premiums triple in cost and legislators like Ernst are making it worse. How do any of us afford this? 

Having reliable and affordable access to healthcare shouldn’t be something we struggle with. In a state with the fastest-rising cancer rates in the country, removing healthcare options is unconscionable. Our leaders should be looking at proactive ways to address this. Dealing with cancer and other diseases is hard enough without the added stress of maintaining your coverage or being saddled with onerous paperwork to prove you are worthy of a policy. 

Starting in 2026, families in Iowa will feel the full force of health care cuts. First, premiums and out-of-pocket costs will skyrocket, and many will lose coverage altogether thanks to miles of red tape. Then, devastating cuts to Medicaid will begin to take effect, shuttering rural hospitals, forcing seniors out of their nursing homes, and blocking cancer patients from life-saving care. Costs will skyrocket , wait times will increase for everyone, and it will be harder for families to get and stay covered. Together, these cuts will explode the uninsured to levels not seen in 15 years – all to fund tax cuts for the wealthiest individuals and corporations.

The damage will be felt in every corner of the country, including here in Iowa. Our congressmen and women have turned their backs on us and made their priorities clear: instead of securing the health of their constituents, they chose to side with billionaires and big corporations. Every single person in our community will be affected. 

Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of these cuts. Our electeds jammed it through and passed it despite us. Now that the bill is law, President Donald Trump, Sen. Ernst, and Congressional Republicans must fully own the consequences.