After receiving national attention for telling constituents concerned about Medicaid cuts "we all are going to die," Sen. Joni Ernst doubled down on her remarks in an "apology" video posted to Instagram.
Political theater is just…theater. Pay attention to what’s happening backstage.
US Sen. Joni Ernst was asked about Medicaid and SNAP cuts. An audience member shouted "people will die" as a result of the change. Ernst's response was revealing.
Would you rather:
A. Fund tax cuts for billionaires?
OR
B. Keep Medicaid going for millions of Americans?
US House Republicans are picking “A.”
They want to cut at least $880 billion from Medicaid funding to help cover the cost of $4.5 trillion in tax breaks that will mainly help the richest Americans. That would leave more than 8 million people without health insurance across the country.
“Iowa is already facing a health care crisis,” says Ruth Richardson of Planned Parenthood North Central States. Richardson just announced four Planned Parenthood health centers will close within a year in Iowa, leaving only two open.
She says maternal and infant mortality rates are rising and rural health care deserts are growing.
“And while the most vulnerable will feel the impacts first—make no mistake—as emergency rooms are packed by folks who have nowhere else to turn, and specialized providers like OB-GYNs become harder to find, everyone will suffer the consequences of these harmful policies.”
We're wading through this tax bill. And it's not looking good.
Real efficient government (for rich people)
US House Republicans are pushing for major Medicaid cuts. Anne Discher, executive director of Common Good Iowa, explains how that will impact Iowa.
There are only so many ways that states like Iowa can deal with House Republicans' proposed cuts to Medicaid: decrease service or the number of people served.
Republicans are ramming through a bill that will give more money to the rich and add trillions to the national deficit.
Former US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg says the most accessible way of being active in our current political moment is learning how to earnestly engage in conversation.
